Florida Man Sues Carnival Cruise Line After Tripping and Falling on Dark Stairs in Comedy Club Aboard Carnival Freedom
Leroy Walker, a citizen of the State of Florida, has filed a personal injury complaint against Carnival Corporation in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida, Miami Division. The lawsuit, filed under Case No. 1:25-cv-25731, alleges that Walker tripped and fell on the stairs inside the comedy club aboard the cruise vessel Carnival Freedom. The matter is proceeding under diversity jurisdiction, with the amount in controversy exceeding $\$75,000$, and alternatively under admiralty jurisdiction.
Cruise Passenger Injured by Poor and Insufficient Lighting on Stairs
The incident occurred on or about April 18, 2025, while Walker was on a cruise that began the previous day. The complaint asserts that the Plaintiff’s fall was due to poor and/or insufficient lighting on the stairs in the comedy club. As a result of the fall, Walker sustained severe bodily injury.
Carnival Alleged to Have Failed in Maintenance and Inspection Duties
The lawsuit, which includes a claim for Negligence for Failure to Maintain, alleges that Carnival breached its duty to use reasonable care under the circumstances. Specific allegations include Carnival failing to exercise reasonable care in maintaining proper lighting at or near the steps, failing to adequately conduct inspections to ensure poorly lit areas did not exist at or near the steps, and failing to exercise reasonable care in maintaining the steps.
The Plaintiff contends that Carnival had actual knowledge of the dangerous condition. Alternatively, the condition is alleged to have existed for such a length of time that Carnival should have known of it in the exercise of ordinary care, or the condition occurred with regularity and was therefore foreseeable. Walker asserts that the condition was not readily apparent to a passenger, and Carnival had exclusive custody and control of the area where the injury occurred.
Negligent Failure to Warn of Dangerous Change in Elevation Due to Dark Steps
Walker also brings a claim for Negligent Failure to Warn, stating that Carnival had a duty to warn of any dangerous conditions, such as a change in elevation caused by the stairs. Carnival is accused of breaching this duty by failing to warn the Plaintiff and other guests of the inadequate and/or improper lighting on the stairs, failing to warn the Plaintiff of the danger of falling on the stairs, and failing to warn the Plaintiff that the stairs were unreasonably dangerous.
The complaint emphasizes that this dangerous condition is a known danger that an experienced crew member knew or should have known about in the exercise of reasonable care.
Plaintiff Seeks Damages for Permanent Injuries and Future Losses
As a direct and proximate result of Carnival’s alleged negligence, the Plaintiff suffered bodily injury and resulting pain and suffering, aggravation of a pre-existing condition, disability, mental anguish, embarrassment and humiliation, loss of capacity for the enjoyment of life, expense of hospitalization, medical and nursing care and treatment, and loss of wages. The losses are alleged to be permanent and/or continuing in nature, meaning the Plaintiff will suffer loss and impairment in the future. The Plaintiff demands judgment for compensatory damages and a trial by jury on all issues.
Cruise passengers injured on dark or poorly lit stairways and steps on a cruise ship may have a claim against the cruise line for negligent maintenance and failure to warn. Cruise lines have a duty to ensure that areas where passengers are invited to walk, such as entertainment venues like comedy clubs, are adequately illuminated and free from foreseeable hazards. If you or someone you know was injured due to poor lighting or unreasonably dangerous steps on a cruise ship, contact a Florida cruise ship injury attorney to discuss your rights under maritime law.
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.
