Delaware Woman Sues MSC Cruises After Tripping on Malfunctioning Accessibility Ramp Aboard MSC Vessel
Londyn Hackett, a resident and citizen of Delaware, has filed a maritime personal injury lawsuit against MSC Cruises, S.A. in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida. The complaint, filed under Case No. 1:26-cv-21461, alleges that Hackett suffered serious bodily injuries due to a dangerous tripping hazard created by a malfunctioning mechanical accessibility ramp in her stateroom. The plaintiff seeks damages in excess of $75,000 exclusive of interest and costs, asserting that the cruise line failed in its duty to maintain a reasonably safe environment for its fare-paying passengers.
Cruise Passenger Injured in Accessible Stateroom Due to Defective Balcony Ramp Mechanism
The incident occurred on or about August 13, 2025, while Hackett was a passenger aboard an MSC Cruises vessel. According to the legal filing, Hackett was assigned an accessible stateroom equipped with a balcony. To facilitate easy passage for guests with mobility needs, the sliding balcony door featured a mechanical accessibility ramp. This device was designed to automatically lower and remain flat whenever the door was opened, effectively eliminating the threshold as a tripping hazard and providing smooth access between the interior cabin and the outdoor balcony area.
The complaint alleges that while Hackett was using the balcony as intended, she attempted to re-enter her cabin from the balcony. At that moment, the accessibility ramp failed to function as designed. Instead of lowering to a flat position, the ramp remained elevated and uneven. Unaware that the safety mechanism had failed, Hackett tripped over the improperly positioned ramp while stepping back into the stateroom, leading to a fall that resulted in significant physical injuries.
MSC Cruises Accused of Negligent Maintenance and Failure to Warn of Known Cabin Hazards
The lawsuit asserts that MSC Cruises breached its duty of care by failing to ensure the stateroom equipment was in proper working order. Hackett alleges that the dangerous condition of the ramp existed for a sufficient duration that the cruise line knew or should have known about the malfunction. Alternatively, the plaintiff argues that the cruise line may have created the hazard through improper installation, maintenance, or inspection of the ramp mechanism.
The legal team representing Hackett highlights several specific failures by the defendant, including the failure to implement reasonable inspection procedures for accessible cabin equipment. The complaint suggests that the cruise line did not properly train its crew members to identify or correct issues with these specialized mechanical ramps. Furthermore, the lawsuit claims that despite the foreseeable risk of a passenger tripping over a malfunctioning threshold, MSC Cruises provided no warning to Hackett regarding the potential for the ramp to remain in a raised and dangerous position while the balcony door was open.
Lawsuit Alleges Design Defects and Lack of Safety Procedures for MSC Accessibility Features
In addition to maintenance failures, the complaint brings forth allegations regarding the design and operation of the balcony accessibility system. The plaintiff contends that the cruise line is responsible for the negligent design of the ramp system, which allowed for a hazardous elevation to persist in a high-traffic walkway. By failing to ensure the ramp automatically stayed flat as intended, the defendant allegedly allowed a known safety feature to transform into a hidden danger.
Hackett claims that as a direct result of these collective failures, she has suffered serious and permanent bodily injuries. The lawsuit seeks compensation for medical expenses, physical pain, mental anguish, and the loss of enjoyment of her cruise vacation. The plaintiff has demanded a trial by jury to resolve these issues of negligence and liability.
Contact a Cruise Ship Trip and Fall Lawyer Today if You Were Injured by Defective Shipboard Equipment
Cruise passengers who suffer injuries due to malfunctioning equipment, defective accessibility features, or poorly maintained staterooms may be entitled to significant compensation under federal maritime law. Cruise operators have a strict legal obligation to maintain all areas of their vessels, especially specialized accessible accommodations, in a condition that does not pose a threat to guest safety. If you or a loved one experienced a serious injury while on a cruise due to a mechanical failure or a hidden tripping hazard, our team of experienced maritime attorneys can help you navigate the complexities of filing a claim against major cruise lines.
Contact us now to speak with a cruise ship injury attorney regarding your potential 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.
