Florida Man Sues Carnival Cruise Line After Tripping on Exposed Cord Inside Casino Aboard Carnival Freedom
Darryll Taylor, a resident of Florida, has filed a maritime personal injury lawsuit against Carnival Corporation in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida. The complaint, filed under Case No. 1:25-cv-25750-FAM, alleges that Taylor suffered injuries to his abdomen and hip after tripping over an exposed cord while walking through the casino aboard the Carnival Freedom on January 5, 2025.
Passenger Allegedly Trips on Hidden Hazard in Carnival Freedom Casino Walkway
According to the lawsuit, the incident occurred in the early morning hours of January 5, 2025, while the plaintiff was a passenger on the Carnival Freedom. At approximately 1:50 a.m., Taylor was walking through the ship’s casino on his way to his cabin when he encountered the alleged hazard. The complaint states that as he walked through the casino, he tripped over an exposed cord that was not visible to him at the time. The plaintiff asserts that this exposed cord created a dangerous condition which resulted in him falling and sustaining injuries, specifically to his left hip and abdomen. Following the incident, Carnival allegedly acknowledged the injury the next day via a letter from Guest Services and later assigned a claim number to the matter after receiving a notice of claim from Taylor’s attorney.
Lawsuit Claims Carnival Failed to Maintain Safe Walking Areas and Warn of Trip Hazards
The legal filing accuses Carnival Corporation of negligence for allowing the exposed cord to remain in a walkway where passengers are expected to walk. Taylor’s legal counsel argues that the exposed cord constituted a dangerous condition in a high-traffic area of the vessel and created an unreasonable risk of harm to passengers. The complaint alleges that Carnival had actual or constructive knowledge of the hazard yet failed to repair it or provide adequate warnings to guests. Specifically, the plaintiff claims the cruise line did not utilize signage, verbal warnings, or other means to alert passengers to the presence of the cord. Taylor asserts that because the cruise line failed to warn him about the condition, he was unable to avoid the cord, which was the actual and proximate cause of his fall.
Negligent Maintenance and Failure to Secure Equipment Alleged in Maritime Complaint
In addition to the failure to warn, the lawsuit includes counts for general negligence and negligent maintenance. The plaintiff contends that as a common carrier, Carnival owed a duty of reasonable care to its passengers to maintain all areas of the ship, including the casino, in a reasonably safe condition. The complaint argues that the defendant breached this duty by failing to properly maintain the premises and by allowing the cord to remain exposed rather than securing or removing it. Taylor alleges that this breach of duty directly caused his injuries and subsequent damages.
Plaintiff Seeks Damages for Bodily Injury and Medical Expenses Resulting from Casino Fall
Taylor is seeking judgment against Carnival Corporation for damages, costs, and other relief deemed appropriate by the court, along with a trial by jury. The lawsuit outlines that as a direct result of the cruise line’s alleged negligence, the plaintiff suffered various losses including bodily injury, pain and suffering, disability, disfigurement, and mental anguish. Furthermore, the claim seeks compensation for expenses related to hospitalization, medical and nursing care, loss of earnings, and the loss of the ability to earn money in the future. The complaint states that these losses are either permanent or continuing in nature.
Contact a Cruise Ship Trip and Fall Attorney Today if You Were Injured by Unsafe Conditions
Cruise passengers injured due to tripping hazards such as exposed cords, uneven flooring, or obstructing equipment in walkways may be entitled to compensation under maritime law. Cruise lines like Carnival have a legal obligation to ensure that high-traffic areas like casinos and promenades are maintained safely and that passengers are warned of potential dangers. If you or a family member suffered an injury in a similar trip and fall accident aboard a cruise ship, contact our team of experienced maritime injury lawyers today. We are here to help you understand your rights and explore your legal options.
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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.
