Calvin E. Lee, a Florida resident, has filed a maritime personal injury lawsuit against Carnival Corporation in the Southern District of Florida. The lawsuit, filed under Case No. 1:25-cv-22491-BB, stems from a July 24, 2024 incident aboard the Carnival Sunrise, during which Lee was seated at a pool deck bar when the barstool he was using suddenly broke beneath him, allegedly causing serious injuries.

Carnival Sunrise Passenger Claims Barstool Collapse Caused Severe Injuries on Cruise Ship Pool Deck

According to the complaint, Lee was a fare-paying passenger aboard the Carnival Sunrise and was seated at an outdoor bar area on the pool deck when the barstool provided by Carnival unexpectedly failed. The chair allegedly collapsed without warning, sending Lee to the deck floor and causing injuries to multiple parts of his body. The complaint claims the defective nature of the barstool was not open and obvious and that there were no signs or warnings alerting passengers to any hazards associated with the seating.

Lee asserts that there was nothing he could have done to prevent the incident, as the chair’s instability was unknown to him and not visibly apparent. His injuries are alleged to be permanent and continuing in nature, requiring medical treatment and affecting his ability to enjoy life and work.

Complaint Cites Multiple Prior Incidents Involving Collapsing Barstools on Carnival Ships Since 2012

The lawsuit accuses Carnival of knowing—through years of similar incidents—that unsecured, unstable, or unrepaired barstools posed a foreseeable danger to passengers. Lee’s legal team references six prior lawsuits involving passengers injured by collapsing chairs aboard various Carnival ships, including the Carnival Breeze, Vista, Legend, Liberty, Splendor, and Pride. These incidents, dating as far back as 2012, are presented as evidence that Carnival had long-standing notice of the hazards posed by unstable furniture in public areas.

Despite these known risks, the lawsuit alleges Carnival failed to remove defective furniture, properly inspect or maintain barstools, or warn passengers of the risks. The complaint further contends that Carnival’s practice of confidentially settling similar claims has shielded the company from broader public accountability, potentially allowing unsafe conditions to persist.

Plaintiff Alleges Negligent Maintenance, Inadequate Inspection, and Failure to Warn of Dangerous Seating Conditions

The complaint brings three counts of negligence against Carnival: general negligence, failure to warn, and failure to maintain. Lee alleges that Carnival breached its duty of care by failing to conduct reasonable inspections, failing to identify and replace damaged seating, and failing to implement industry-standard safeguards to protect guests. The barstool in question was allegedly exposed to heavy use and environmental conditions that required routine inspection and upkeep—standards Lee claims Carnival did not meet.

Furthermore, the complaint highlights Carnival’s failure to apply safety warnings, signage, or weight guidance to seating that had previously failed in similar circumstances. The lawsuit contends that had Carnival followed proper procedures or removed the hazardous chair from service, Lee’s injury could have been avoided.

Florida Cruise Ship Injury Lawsuit Seeks Damages for Pain, Medical Costs, and Lost Cruise Value

Lee seeks damages for physical injuries, pain and suffering, mental anguish, disfigurement, and loss of enjoyment of life. He also claims lost vacation value and transportation expenses. According to the complaint, the injuries he suffered on the Carnival Sunrise have required ongoing medical care and may result in lasting impairments. The lawsuit asks the court to hold Carnival liable under the general maritime law of the United States.

Hurt by a Broken Chair or Barstool on a Cruise? Speak with a Cruise Ship Injury Attorney

Cruise ship operators are responsible for providing safe seating and common areas aboard their vessels. When cruise passengers are injured due to collapsing furniture, they may be entitled to compensation under maritime law. If you or a loved one was hurt due to an unsafe chair or barstool on a Carnival cruise ship or any other cruise line, don’t wait to take action.

Contact us now to speak with a cruise ship injury attorney about your legal rights.

Louisiana Passenger Sues Carnival After Slip and Fall Injury on Tender Boat Returning from Grand Cayman

Cruise Passenger Injured During Reboarding Process on Tender Vessel for Carnival Liberty

Trinnell Griffin, a resident of Louisiana, has filed a maritime personal injury lawsuit against Carnival Corporation in the Southern District of Florida. The lawsuit arises from a June 13, 2024, incident that occurred while Griffin was reboarding the Carnival Liberty via a tender vessel near Grand Cayman. Griffin alleges that she slipped and fell on wet stairs inside the tender boat while returning from an excursion ashore, sustaining a serious leg injury that later required surgery and ongoing medical treatment.

Wet and Unsafe Tender Boat Staircase Allegedly Caused Serious Injury to Passenger

According to the complaint, the incident took place on the fifth day of a Western Caribbean cruise that departed from New Orleans. As Griffin attempted to descend the tender’s staircase, she slipped on the second step due to rainwater that had accumulated on the stairs. The staircase allegedly lacked non-slip materials and did not have handrails on both sides. No crew members were stationed to assist passengers, and no warning signs were posted despite the known wet conditions.

Griffin claims her right leg became lodged between the stairs and the railing, causing a deep laceration and an open wound. She was helped up by a tender employee and brought back to the ship, where she sought medical treatment in the ship’s infirmary. However, due to high onboard medical costs, she declined treatment. As a result, her wound became infected, ultimately requiring hospitalization and surgery at facilities in New Orleans.

Lawsuit Alleges Negligence by Carnival and Tender Operator in Failing to Maintain Safe Conditions

The lawsuit asserts that Carnival failed to meet its duty of care by not inspecting or maintaining the safety of the tender vessel used for reboarding. Griffin alleges that Carnival knew or should have known of the slippery conditions and failed to enforce safety protocols, including drying wet surfaces, providing warning signs, and placing personnel to assist passengers. She further claims that Carnival either directly managed or exercised control over the tender and therefore had an obligation to ensure it was safe for passenger use.

The complaint also alleges vicarious liability against Carnival for the negligence of the third-party tender operator, asserting that the tender company’s employees failed to dry the stairs, post warnings, or offer assistance—even though they were aware of the hazardous conditions.

Passenger Underwent Surgery and Continues to Suffer from Lasting Injuries

As a result of the fall, Griffin underwent surgery on July 3, 2024, and continues to receive wound care for her right calf. She alleges that the injury has caused her ongoing pain, mobility issues, and emotional distress, including disability, disfigurement, and loss of enjoyment of life. According to the complaint, her damages exceed $50,000 in medical costs alone, and she remains unable to walk without pain or resume normal daily activities.

The lawsuit includes claims for direct negligence and vicarious liability under general maritime law and seeks damages for past and future medical expenses, pain and suffering, and other economic and non-economic losses.

Cruise Ship Tender Boat Fall Lawsuit Underscores Safety Risks During Shore Transfers

This case highlights the legal obligations cruise lines face when using third-party tender vessels for passenger transfers at ports of call. Rainy weather and wet conditions on tender stairs can pose significant risks, especially if appropriate safety precautions are not followed. When cruise lines or their agents fail to ensure safe reboarding procedures, they may be held liable for resulting injuries under maritime law.

If you or a loved one has been injured while boarding or disembarking a cruise ship or tender boat, you may have a claim for compensation. To learn more about your rights, contact us today.

Florida Woman Sues Carnival After Slip and Fall on Deck 16 of Mardi Gras Near BlueIguana Restaurant

Alexandra Melendez, a Florida resident, has filed a maritime personal injury lawsuit against Carnival Corporation following a slip and fall accident aboard the Carnival Mardi Gras. The incident occurred on June 12, 2024, while Melendez was walking on Deck 16 near the BlueIguana restaurant. According to the complaint, the area was unreasonably slippery due to moisture created by crew activity, and Carnival failed to place any cones, signs, or barriers to warn passengers of the hazardous condition.

Cruise Passenger Alleges Wet Deck Surface and Lack of Warning Signs Caused Fall on Mardi Gras

The complaint alleges that Deck 16 was designated as an ADA-accessible route by Carnival, yet the cruise line failed to maintain it in a safe condition. Melendez asserts that Carnival and its crew had a duty to regularly inspect and clean the area and to ensure passengers—particularly those using ADA-accessible pathways—could traverse it safely.

Passenger Claims Unsafe ADA-Accessible Route Contributed to Multiple Injuries

The area allegedly became hazardous due to inadequate cleaning procedures or spillage by crew members. Despite this, Carnival failed to warn guests or post signage. Melendez states she slipped and fell directly due to these unsafe conditions, sustaining injuries to both wrists, her right knee, and her lower back.

Plaintiff Undergoes Medical Procedures Following Fall, Blames Carnival for Negligent Maintenance

Following the fall, Melendez reportedly required ongoing medical treatment, including orthopedic care, physical therapy, wrist injections, and a surgical cyst decompression procedure. She alleges that her injuries have caused ongoing pain, restricted her mobility, and impaired her ability to perform daily activities. The complaint further states that Carnival’s refusal to reimburse or pay for her medical expenses has limited her access to necessary treatment.

Melendez’s injuries, she claims, were foreseeable and directly caused by Carnival’s negligence in failing to inspect and maintain the area near the BlueIguana restaurant. The lawsuit further alleges that Carnival’s cleaning methods, lack of crew supervision, and failure to post warnings created an unreasonably dangerous condition.

Lawsuit Seeks Damages Under Maritime Law for Carnival’s Failure to Ensure Safe Passenger Areas

The lawsuit includes a single count of general maritime negligence. It seeks compensation for medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, diminished capacity for enjoyment of life, and future medical needs. Melendez argues that her injuries and resulting damages were caused by Carnival’s failure to exercise reasonable care in maintaining passenger walking areas.

This case highlights the risks posed by unmonitored deck conditions aboard modern cruise ships, especially in high-traffic areas that serve both restaurants and mobility-impaired guests. Cruise lines have a legal duty to maintain public areas in a reasonably safe condition and to promptly warn of hazards. When they fail to meet this obligation, injured passengers may have recourse under general maritime law.

If you have suffered a fall aboard a cruise ship due to unsafe walking surfaces or poor maintenance, you may be entitled to compensation. Contact us today to discuss your legal options.

Indiana Woman Sues Carnival Cruise Line After Slip and Fall Near Elevator on Wet Marble Floor Aboard Carnival Sunrise

Tamara Holloway, a resident of Indianapolis, Indiana, has filed a maritime personal injury lawsuit against Carnival Cruise Line in the Southern District of Florida. The case, filed under Case No. 1:25-cv-22501-RS, stems from a slip and fall accident that occurred aboard the Carnival Sunrise on June 10, 2024, in a high-traffic interior area near the ship’s buffet restaurant and elevators.

Cruise Passenger Slips on Wet Stone Floor in Interior Walkway Near Buffet on Carnival Sunrise

According to the complaint, Holloway was walking near the elevator bank and buffet restaurant when she slipped on a pool of water that had collected on the vessel’s highly polished stone or marble flooring. The lawsuit alleges that the water originated from a persistent leak in the ship’s plumbing or HVAC system, which Carnival failed to inspect, repair, or warn passengers about. Holloway claims she did not see the water prior to her fall because the puddle blended into the shiny flooring and there were no caution signs, barriers, or crew warnings in the area.

Carnival Accused of Failing to Inspect and Maintain Hazardous Wet Flooring Known for Causing Passenger Falls

The lawsuit asserts that the dangerous condition had existed for hours, if not longer, and that Carnival had constructive and actual notice of the hazard. Holloway references not only watermarks and stains in the ceiling area indicating a long-term leak, but also a conversation with another passenger who reportedly slipped in the same area the day before. She claims Carnival failed to properly inspect or maintain the plumbing and HVAC systems, allowing water to leak through the ceiling and collect in an area known for heavy passenger traffic and prior similar accidents. Holloway also alleges that Carnival took no preventive or corrective action to block off the area or dry the floor until after her fall.

Complaint Lists Extensive History of Slip and Fall Incidents on Similar Floors Across Carnival’s Fleet

To support her claim that Carnival was aware of the risks associated with its flooring and design choices, Holloway’s legal team cites more than 80 similar slip and fall cases filed against Carnival over the last 15 years. These include Ward v. Carnival Corporation, Bryant v. Carnival Corporation, Ing v. Carnival Corporation, and dozens of others involving injuries on the same type of polished stone or marble flooring on ships such as the Carnival Triumph, Carnival Victory, and Carnival Sunshine. The Carnival Sunrise itself, formerly the Triumph, has a documented history of such incidents, including numerous falls in and around the same Deck 5 and Deck 9 public spaces.

Carnival Sunrise Design Allegedly Includes Slippery Flooring and Leaky HVAC Systems Unfit for High-Traffic Guest Areas

Holloway further alleges that Carnival negligently designed the ship’s interior flooring and HVAC systems, selecting materials that are known to be dangerously slippery when wet and failing to account for foreseeable leaks or guest traffic. The lawsuit details how Carnival not only selected and approved the floor materials and plumbing systems used on the Sunrise, but also supervised the ship’s design and construction in Finland. Despite knowledge of prior incidents and industry standards requiring dry and clearly marked escape routes, Carnival allegedly continued using the same flooring across its fleet and failed to implement effective warning or maintenance procedures.

Plaintiff Seeks Damages for Elbow Fractures, Disability, and Loss of Enjoyment of Life Following Fall on Carnival Sunrise

As a result of the incident, Holloway suffered two fractures in her right elbow, wrist injuries, and other permanent impairments. She alleges ongoing pain, disability, disfigurement, emotional distress, and diminished quality of life. The lawsuit seeks damages for medical expenses, lost earnings, and the lost value of her cruise vacation. Her complaint includes counts for negligent failure to maintain, negligent failure to warn, negligent design, and negligent training of Carnival’s crew. Holloway contends that Carnival’s crew either ignored or failed to address a hazardous condition they were trained and obligated to prevent.

Contact a Cruise Ship Injury Lawyer if You Were Hurt on a Wet Interior Walkway or Leaky Ceiling Area Aboard a Carnival Ship

Passengers who slip and fall aboard cruise ships due to wet floors, leaks, or unsafe design may be entitled to compensation under maritime law. Cruise lines like Carnival have a duty to inspect, maintain, and warn passengers of known hazards in high-traffic areas such as interior walkways near elevators and restaurants. If you or a loved one were injured in a similar incident involving dangerous wet flooring or unaddressed plumbing leaks aboard a Carnival vessel, our team of experienced maritime attorneys is here to help.

Contact us now to speak with a cruise ship slip and fall attorney.