Carnival Cruise Line Sued Due to Damaged Casino Floor on Carnival Sunrise
Marci Maynard, a Florida resident and retired nurse practitioner, has filed a maritime personal injury lawsuit against Carnival Corporation in the Southern District of Florida. The lawsuit, filed under Case No. 1:25-cv-25467-KMM, alleges that Maynard was seriously injured after tripping over a damaged fire-door track embedded in the floor outside the casino aboard the Carnival Sunrise during a five-night cruise to the Eastern Caribbean in March 2025.
Cruise Ship Passenger Allegedly Tripped on Raised Metal Floor Track Due to Loose Screws and Damaged Surface
According to the complaint, the incident occurred on March 21, 2025, in the hallway just outside the casino on Deck 5 of the Carnival Sunrise. Maynard was walking across the Promenade deck when the front of her shoe caught on a raised portion of the metal fire-door track that spans the width of the hallway. The lawsuit alleges that the track was constructed of multiple layers of pliable metal panels that had become misaligned and were fastened to the steel floor with screws that had loosened or dislodged due to constant ship vibration.
The top layer of the track was allegedly dented, scuffed, and bulging in several areas, and some screws were completely missing, leaving empty holes and creating a lip that protruded upward—posing a hidden tripping hazard to passengers crossing the walkway.
Carnival Accused of Failing to Inspect, Maintain, or Repair Known Hazard from Vibrating Floor Structures
The lawsuit contends that Carnival was negligent in failing to inspect and maintain the flooring system, despite knowing that engine vibrations can cause metal screws to undergo “rotational self-loosening” over time. This process, the complaint explains, gradually unscrews metal fasteners from their holes in the steel substrate, eventually causing the track’s surface to rise unevenly.
Maynard’s legal team argues that the damage to the track—including its dents, raised lip, and missing screws—developed over weeks or months and was clearly visible at the time of the cruise. The lawsuit claims that Carnival had constructive notice of the hazardous condition and should have repaired or replaced the track well before Maynard’s injury occurred.
Lawsuit Details Serious Injuries to Both Arms Resulting From Cruise Ship Fall
When Maynard tripped and fell, she reportedly extended her arms forward to brace for impact. The force of the fall allegedly caused catastrophic injuries to her dominant left arm, including fractures of the radius and ulna, a shattered olecranon, and destruction of the radial head. She underwent extensive surgery to rebuild the elbow using metal plates, screws, and a prosthetic radial head. Complications followed, including abnormal bone growth between the radius and ulna that her doctors now consider too risky to remove surgically.
While recovering at home using only her non-dominant right arm, Maynard alleges that she suffered a second fall on May 8, 2025, which resulted in a shattered right humerus. She underwent another major surgery to replace her right shoulder with a prosthetic joint. The complaint argues that this second injury was directly caused by limitations stemming from the initial cruise-related fall.
Complaint Brings Negligence Claim and Seeks Damages for Catastrophic Injuries and Disability
Maynard brings one count of general maritime negligence against Carnival Corporation, asserting the cruise line breached its duty to provide reasonably safe flooring conditions aboard its ship. She seeks compensation for both the initial and subsequent injuries, which she claims caused permanent disability, disfigurement, chronic pain, loss of earnings, and diminished enjoyment of life. The complaint alleges her injuries are ongoing and will require continued treatment and care into the future.
The lawsuit includes a formal request for a jury trial, citing constitutional and statutory rights to a jury in state court and asking the federal court to grant a jury trial despite admiralty tradition.
Contact a Cruise Ship Trip and Fall Lawyer for Unsafe Flooring Accidents at Sea
Passengers injured on cruise ships due to raised metal tracks, uneven flooring, or other walking surface hazards may be entitled to compensation under maritime law. Cruise lines are responsible for properly inspecting, maintaining, and repairing known flooring defects that can cause serious injury. If you or a loved one has been hurt aboard a cruise vessel due to defective flooring, contact our experienced maritime injury attorneys today.
Contact us now to speak with a cruise ship trip and fall attorney.
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.
