Carnival Sued After Passenger Slips on Unsecured Photo Backdrop Carpet Aboard Carnival Celebration
Gregory Sala, a New York resident, has filed a lawsuit against Carnival Corporation following a serious slip-and-fall injury he suffered aboard the Carnival Celebration. The incident occurred on November 3, 2024, the first night of a cruise, when Sala allegedly slipped on unsecured photography backdrop material placed in a high-traffic area of the ship.
Passenger Slips on Backdrop Material in Front of Dining Room, Leading to Severe Injury and Pulmonary Embolism
According to the complaint filed in the Southern District of Florida (Case No. 1:25-cv-24970-KMW), Sala was walking near the Festivale Dining Room on Deck 7 when his foot slipped on a loose section of backdrop carpet used by Carnival’s onboard photography team. The backdrop had been laid out in front of the dining room but was allegedly improperly taped and unsecured, causing a hazardous walking surface.
Sala’s fall resulted in significant injuries, including a knee injury that required immobilization. The lawsuit further alleges that his condition deteriorated post-incident, leading to a blood clot and a pulmonary embolism, a life-threatening complication.
Carnival Accused of Failing to Warn, Maintain, and Design Safe Walkways for Passengers
The complaint includes multiple counts of negligence, including:
- Failure to warn passengers about the slip hazard.
- Failure to maintain the area in a safe condition.
- Negligent design of the high-traffic area with no safeguards for backdrop materials.
- Vicarious liability for the actions of Carnival’s crew, including photographers who allegedly installed the backdrop carpet improperly.
- General negligence for failing to secure or restrict access to the hazardous area.
The lawsuit alleges that Carnival knew or should have known of the dangerous condition, particularly because crew members set up the area daily and monitored it throughout the cruise. The plaintiff also points to prior similar incidents, including cases involving unsecured floor coverings used for photo setups aboard other Carnival ships.
The complaint references two prior lawsuits against Carnival involving nearly identical allegations:
- Ortiz v. Carnival Corporation (2020): Plaintiff slipped on temporary photo flooring aboard the Carnival Horizon.
- Fernandez v. Carnival Corporation (2020): Plaintiff tripped on canvas flooring used for formal photos aboard the Carnival Freedom.
Video Surveillance and Crew Involvement Central to Plaintiff’s Claims
Sala’s legal team alleges that Carnival had CCTV surveillance of the area and that video footage could have revealed the dangerous condition before the incident. They also argue that the need to tape the mat at all is evidence of Carnival’s prior knowledge of the risk the backdrop posed to passengers.
The backdrop carpet was reportedly secured with fabric strips and tape, yet remained loose and wrinkled, a hazard that could have been discovered with a reasonable inspection.
Plaintiff Seeks Damages for Long-Term Physical and Emotional Harm
The lawsuit seeks compensation for:
- Physical injuries and ongoing medical complications
- Mental anguish and diminished enjoyment of life
- Loss of wages and future earning ability
- Loss of the value of the cruise and associated expenses
Sala claims the injuries are permanent or continuing, with ongoing impacts on his quality of life and health.
Legal Takeaway: Carnival’s Onboard Photo Ops Could Create Liability If Safety Overlooked
This case highlights a recurring issue with temporary installations aboard cruise ships, such as backdrop carpets used for formal photo opportunities. When these materials are improperly secured, cruise lines may be liable under maritime law for failing to warn passengers or maintain safe premises.
Passengers injured on cruise ships due to fall hazards—especially in common walkways—may have valid claims even when the hazard involves seemingly minor design oversights.
If you’ve been injured aboard a cruise ship due to a slip and fall or another preventable hazard, contact an experienced maritime injury attorney to discuss your rights.
Contact us to speak with a cruise ship injury lawyer today.
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.
