Colorado Woman Sues Celebrity Cruises After Tripping on Wheelchair Footrests During Stateroom Boarding
Carol Turner, a resident of Centennial, Colorado, has filed a maritime personal injury lawsuit against Celebrity Cruises, Inc. in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida. The lawsuit, filed under Case No. 1:26-cv-22816, alleges that Turner suffered severe and permanent injuries due to the negligence of crew members while she was being assisted to her handicap accessible cabin. The incident occurred on April 25, 2025, shortly after the plaintiff embarked on the Celebrity Solstice for her scheduled cruise.
Cruise Passenger Injured on Celebrity Solstice After Wheelchair Threshold Failure and Lack of Assistance
According to the complaint, Turner requested a wheelchair upon boarding the vessel due to her emphysema. Two crew members assisted in transporting her to her assigned stateroom. One crew member pushed the wheelchair while another walked alongside Turner and her husband. Upon arriving at the cabin, the crew member reportedly could not push the wheelchair over the stateroom threshold. The lawsuit alleges that despite Turner requiring assistance, the crew members did not help her out of the chair or warn her of the dangers posed by the equipment. Left without an alternative, Turner attempted to stand and walk into the cabin herself. As she did so, she tripped over the wheelchair footrests, which had not been adjusted or moved to clear her path.
Celebrity Cruises Accused of Negligence and Failure to Warn Regarding Dangerous Handicap Equipment Hazards
The legal filing asserts that Celebrity Cruises breached its duty of reasonable care by failing to provide appropriate assistive devices and failing to warn Turner of the tripping hazard created by the raised footrests. The complaint highlights that the cruise line specifically markets accessible cruising and staterooms with ramped thresholds, yet the crew members on duty failed to follow basic safety procedures for handling disabled passengers. Turner alleges that the crew members allowed her to proceed into the cabin without ensuring the path was clear or providing physical support during the transition from the wheelchair to the stateroom. The lawsuit claims that the cruise line is vicariously liable for the negligent acts of its employees under the principle of respondeat superior.
Lawsuit Cites Prior Incidents Involving Disabled Passengers as Evidence of Ongoing Training and Supervision Failures
Plaintiff’s counsel argues that Celebrity Cruises had both actual and constructive notice of the risks associated with improper assistance of handicapped passengers. The complaint references prior similar incidents to demonstrate a pattern of behavior within the company. Specifically, the lawsuit cites a 2011 case involving a passenger on the Celebrity Century who fell after being denied requested assistance, and a 2016 incident on the Celebrity Eclipse where a passenger fell because her wheelchair could not fit through a cabin door frame. These examples are used to support the claim that the cruise line has an ongoing and repetitive problem regarding the training and supervision of crew members assigned to assist passengers with mobility limitations.
Plaintiff Sustains Severe Shoulder Fracture and Requires Surgery Following Trip and Fall on Celebrity Vessel
The consequences of the fall were significant and life-altering for the Colorado resident. According to the complaint, Turner suffered a fracture to her right shoulder that ultimately required shoulder replacement surgery. In addition to the shoulder injury, she sustained bruising to her right eye and left knee, as well as injuries to her head. The lawsuit seeks damages for economic losses, including past and future medical expenses and household costs. Furthermore, Turner is pursuing non-economic damages for physical impairment, mental anguish, permanent scarring, and the loss of capacity for the enjoyment of life. The plaintiff asserts that these injuries are permanent in nature and will continue to affect her quality of life indefinitely.
Contact a Cruise Ship Disability Injury Lawyer if You Were Injured Due to Negligent Assistance or Unsafe Equipment
Cruise passengers with disabilities have a right to expect that the assistance promised by a cruise line will be provided safely and professionally. When crew members fail to properly operate mobility equipment or ignore safety protocols for accessible staterooms, the results can be catastrophic. If you or a loved one suffered a serious injury on a cruise ship due to a wheelchair accident, a lack of proper boarding assistance, or unsafe cabin thresholds, you may be eligible for compensation under maritime law. Our experienced maritime injury attorneys are dedicated to holding cruise lines accountable for failing to protect vulnerable passengers and ensuring that victims receive the resources they need for recovery.
Contact us now to speak with a cruise ship slip 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.
