Celebrity Cruises Sued After Passeger Trips Over High Bathroom Threshold on Celebrity Reflection
Richard Jimenez, an 80-year-old Florida resident, has filed a maritime personal injury lawsuit against Celebrity Cruises, Inc., in the Southern District of Florida. The lawsuit, filed under Case No. 1:25-cv-25289, alleges that Jimenez suffered serious and permanent injuries after tripping over a raised bathroom threshold in his cabin aboard the Celebrity Reflection during an October 2018 sailing.
Elderly Passenger Injured After Tripping Over 6-Inch Cabin Bathroom Threshold on Celebrity Reflection
According to the complaint, Jimenez was attempting to access the bathroom inside his stateroom on the Celebrity Reflection when he encountered a sudden and unmarked elevation change of approximately six inches between the cabin floor and the bathroom threshold. The threshold, which allegedly lacked color contrast and visual cues, blended into the surrounding flooring and was difficult to perceive, particularly for elderly or mobility-challenged passengers.
The lawsuit claims that the dimensions of the cabin restricted visibility and maneuverability, and that Celebrity failed to take reasonable steps to warn or protect passengers from the dangerous elevation. Jimenez asserts that the threshold was improperly designed and that the hazardous condition was neither open nor obvious. As a result of the fall, Jimenez suffered a torn medial meniscus in his right knee, head trauma, and long-term physical and emotional impairments.
Celebrity Cruises Accused of Negligence in Design, Installation, and Inspection of Hazardous Threshold
The complaint alleges that Celebrity had actual and constructive knowledge of the dangerous condition in its Solstice Class staterooms, which includes the Celebrity Reflection and sister ships such as the Silhouette, Solstice, Eclipse, and Equinox. Jimenez asserts that the threshold design, which was common to all Solstice Class ships, posed an unreasonable risk of tripping and falling to passengers.
The lawsuit contends that Celebrity failed to inspect, monitor, or remedy the condition—even though crew members were reportedly present within 10 to 15 feet of the location and had a clear view of the threshold. Moreover, the complaint alleges that another passenger had previously tripped on the same type of elevation earlier during the cruise, demonstrating that Celebrity was aware of the hazard yet failed to act.
Celebrity Reflection Threshold Allegedly Violated Cruise Line’s Own Safety Policies and Maritime Standards
Jimenez’s legal team argues that Celebrity ignored industry guidelines and its own internal policies regarding passenger safety and trip hazards. The complaint asserts that reasonable inspections—conducted at standard intervals—would have revealed the unreasonably dangerous condition of the threshold. Additionally, the lawsuit faults Celebrity for failing to install adequate lighting, visual warnings, or grip surfaces that could have helped passengers recognize the elevation change.
Celebrity is further accused of either designing or approving the flawed threshold and failing to correct the problem during vessel construction or refurbishment. According to the complaint, the cruise line maintained contractual control over the design and inspection process and had the authority to modify or reject unsafe architectural features prior to accepting the ship for operation.
Plaintiff Seeks Damages for Permanent Knee Injury, Medical Costs, and Loss of Cruise Experience
Jimenez brings four counts of negligence against Celebrity Cruises, including negligent failure to remedy, negligent failure to warn, negligent design and installation, and vicarious liability for crew conduct. He claims that the cruise line breached its duty of care under maritime law by allowing an unreasonably dangerous threshold to exist in a location where passengers are expected to walk frequently and without warning.
The lawsuit alleges that the incident resulted in lasting injuries, including chronic pain, loss of mobility, disability, mental anguish, and loss of independence. Jimenez also seeks compensation for medical bills, diminished quality of life, lost earning capacity, and the loss of value of his cruise and related travel expenses.
Tripped on an Elevated Threshold in Your Cruise Cabin? Speak with a Florida Cruise Injury Attorney Today
Cruise lines are required to ensure that passenger cabins and bathrooms are safe and accessible, especially for elderly guests and those with limited mobility. When raised thresholds or design defects create tripping hazards, injured passengers may be entitled to compensation under maritime law. If you or a loved one were hurt due to unsafe cabin design aboard a cruise ship, an experienced maritime personal injury lawyer can help you understand your rights.
Contact us now to speak with a cruise ship accident attorney about your case.
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.
