Canadian Woman Sues Princess Cruise Lines After Tripping Over Vacuum Extension Cord on Ruby Princess
Andrea Leong, a resident of Canada, has filed a maritime personal injury lawsuit against Princess Cruise Lines, Ltd. in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida. The lawsuit, filed under Case No. 1:26-cv-20037-MD, alleges that Leong suffered a fractured shoulder and other permanent injuries after tripping over an extension cord left across a walkway on the Ruby Princess on January 12, 2025.
Cruise Passenger Injured on Ruby Princess Deck 7 After Encountering Hidden Trip Hazard
According to the legal complaint, the incident occurred at approximately 9:40 am while Leong was walking on the exterior portion of Deck 7 of the Ruby Princess. After completing one loop around the deck without incident, she turned a corner on her second lap and unexpectedly encountered a crew member performing maintenance work in the walkway. A vacuum or wetvac machine was being used in the area, and its extension cord was allegedly pulled taut across the passenger walkway like a trip wire. Because the equipment and the crew member were positioned just around a bend, Leong asserts she had no time to avoid the hazard. The sudden encounter caused her to trip over the cord and fall hard to the ground, resulting in a fractured shoulder and other significant physical trauma.
Princess Cruise Lines Accused of Negligence for Failing to Warn Passengers of Maintenance Hazards
The lawsuit alleges that the dangerous condition was not open or obvious to passengers and that the cruise line failed to provide any warnings. The complaint specifically notes that there were no caution signs, stanchions, or barriers in place to alert passengers to the presence of the crew member or the extension cord pulled across the deck. Leong argues that the area where she fell was a high-traffic, passenger-accessible location where guests are invited and expected to walk. The plaintiff contends that Princess Cruise Lines had a duty to provide a reasonably safe environment and that the failure to warn of a hidden maintenance hazard constitutes a breach of the duty of reasonable care under maritime law.
Lawsuit Claims Cruise Line Knowledge of Trip Hazards and Intentional Concealment of Prior Incidents
The complaint asserts that Princess Cruise Lines had both actual and constructive knowledge of the risks associated with using extension cords in high-traffic areas. Leong’s legal team argues that it is reasonably foreseeable that an elderly passenger could be injured by equipment hidden behind a bend in a walkway. Furthermore, the lawsuit suggests that the cruise line has a history of similar incidents but may be intentionally concealing them through the use of confidentiality clauses in settlement agreements. The plaintiff alleges that the cruise line’s own internal safety management systems and policies require employees to monitor for and correct hazards, yet these procedures were neglected in this instance. By failing to supervise the crew member or implement proper safety cordons, the cruise line allegedly allowed a preventable “dangerous condition” to exist in a public space.
Plaintiff Seeks Compensation for Fractured Shoulder and Medical Expenses Due to Princess Negligence
Leong brings four counts of negligence against Princess Cruise Lines: vicarious liability for the actions of the crew member, negligent failure to warn, negligent failure to inspect and maintain, and general negligence. The lawsuit states that as a direct result of the fall, Leong suffered physical pain, mental anguish, disability, and a loss of enjoyment of life. In addition to her physical injuries, she is seeking damages for lost wages, impairment of future earning capacity, and the loss of the benefit of her vacation and cruise costs. The complaint emphasizes that her injuries are permanent and continuing in nature, requiring ongoing medical care and treatment.
Contact a Cruise ship Trip and Fall Lawyer Today if You Were Injured by a Dangerous Condition on a Vessel
Cruise ship passengers who suffer injuries due to maintenance equipment, hidden trip hazards, or a lack of warning signs may be entitled to recover damages under maritime law. Cruise lines like Princess have a strict obligation to maintain public walkways in a safe condition and to properly train staff to prevent accidents involving cleaning equipment and extension cords. If you or a loved one has been injured in a cruise ship slip and fall or trip and fall accident, contact our team of experienced maritime attorneys to discuss your case. We can help you navigate the complexities of filing a claim in federal court and ensure your rights are protected.
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Disclaimer: Our firm does not represent the plaintiff in this case and is not involved in the litigation. The information provided is a summary of allegations based on publicly available court filings. We make no representations about the truth of these allegations, are not commenting on the merits of the case, and are not predicting any outcome.
