Florida Couple Files Lawsuit Against Princess Cruise Lines Following Dining Room Trip and Fall Accident on Island Princess
Jordana Golan and Reuven Golan, residents of Palm Beach County, Florida, have filed a maritime personal injury lawsuit against Princess Cruise Lines, Ltd. in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida. The civil action, filed under Case No. 1:26-cv-20463-KMW, alleges that Mrs. Golan sustained severe orthopedic injuries after tripping on an unmarked step hazard within a dining area aboard the Island Princess during a voyage in March 2025.
Passenger Trips on Unmarked Step Near Refreshment Counter in Island Princess Dining Room
The complaint outlines that the incident took place on March 24, 2025, while the Island Princess was in navigable waters. According to the filing, Jordana Golan was walking through the dining room area located on the sixth floor of the vessel. As she walked near a refreshment counter, she encountered a change in elevation consisting of a single step. The plaintiffs allege that this single step created a dangerous condition because it lacked adequate visual cues to alert pedestrians to the change in floor level. Furthermore, the lawsuit asserts that the area was devoid of warning signs or handrails that would have assisted passengers in negotiating the transition safely.
Because the elevation change was allegedly not open or obvious, Mrs. Golan tripped and fell. The complaint characterizes the step as a non-obvious hazard that the cruise line failed to remedy or warn against, despite the high foot traffic expected in a dining environment. The plaintiffs contend that the cruise line breached its duty of reasonable care by allowing such a condition to exist without proper safety features such as high-contrast markings or physical barriers to prevent falls.
Plaintiff Suffers Severe Shoulder Fractures Requiring Surgery and Claims Potential Spoliation of CCTV Evidence
The physical toll of the fall was reportedly significant. The lawsuit details that as a direct result of the fall, Jordana Golan sustained a comminuted fracture of the right humeral neck along with labrum tears. A comminuted fracture is a serious injury where the bone breaks into three or more pieces. The severity of these injuries necessitated a major surgical procedure known as a Right Reverse Shoulder Arthroplasty, which was performed on September 18, 2025. The plaintiffs allege that these injuries are permanent and continuing in nature, resulting in ongoing pain, suffering, and a loss of physical capacity.
In a procedural development noted in the complaint, the plaintiffs’ legal counsel asserts that a timely demand was made for the preservation of closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage capturing the incident. However, Princess Cruise Lines has reportedly asserted that no such footage exists. The complaint suggests that this absence of evidence, despite a preservation demand, may warrant a spoliation inference, which is a legal concept that permits a court or jury to infer that missing evidence was unfavorable to the party responsible for its loss or destruction.
Loss of Consortium Claim Filed by Spouse Regarding Impact of Injuries on Marital Relationship
In addition to the negligence count filed by Jordana Golan, the lawsuit includes a second count for loss of consortium on behalf of her husband, Reuven Golan. This claim asserts that as a direct and proximate result of the negligence exhibited by Princess Cruise Lines and the subsequent injuries to his wife, Mr. Golan has suffered the loss of his wife’s services, comfort, companionship, and society. The filing states that these losses are permanent and continuing. The plaintiffs are seeking judgment against the defendant for compensatory damages, interest, and costs, and have demanded a trial by jury on all claims set forth in the complaint.
Contact a Cruise Ship Dining Room Injury Lawyer Today if You Were Hurt on a Vessel Due to Unmarked Hazards
Cruise lines have a responsibility to maintain safe walking surfaces for their passengers, particularly in high-traffic areas like dining rooms and restaurants. Unmarked elevation changes, single steps without visual warnings, and a lack of handrails can turn a routine meal into a medical emergency. If you or a loved one suffered a serious injury due to a trip and fall accident on a cruise ship, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical bills, pain and suffering, and lost enjoyment of your vacation. Contact our team of experienced maritime injury lawyers today to discuss the details of your potential case.
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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.
