Florida Man Sues Margaritaville at Sea After Slip and Fall on Defective Stairway While Rushing to Shore Excursion
David Packan Jr., a Florida resident, has filed a maritime personal injury lawsuit against Margaritaville at Sea, LLC in the Southern District of Florida. The lawsuit, filed under Case No. 9:25-cv-81151-AMC, alleges that Packan suffered serious injuries after slipping on a poorly designed and hazardous stairway aboard the Margaritaville at Sea Islander while rushing to disembark for a scheduled shore excursion in Progreso, Mexico.
Cruise Passenger Injured Descending Defective Stairs Aboard Margaritaville Islander While Rushing Behind Crew Member
According to the complaint, the incident occurred on March 14, 2025, as Packan was following a Margaritaville at Sea employee who was personally escorting him to the ship’s disembarkation area. The plaintiff was reportedly running late for a shore excursion and was urged to follow the crew member at an “unreasonably fast pace.” While descending a staircase, Packan slipped and fell, injuring his back.
The lawsuit alleges that there were no warning signs at the location and that the stairs themselves were inherently unsafe. The deficiencies cited include improper rise and tread depth, absence of a second handrail, slippery stair materials with inadequate slip resistance, and unsafe metal nosing. The plaintiff claims that the dangerous stairway design and lack of appropriate crew guidance created an unreasonably hazardous condition for passengers.
Complaint Alleges Unsafe Stair Design, Lack of Warnings, and Poor Crew Training in Passenger Disembarkation Procedures
Packan contends that Margaritaville at Sea failed to exercise reasonable care by permitting passengers to use a stairway that did not comply with generally accepted safety standards, including OSHA and international building codes. The complaint states that the stairway only had a single handrail and lacked sufficient slip resistance, making it especially dangerous when traversed at speed.
The lawsuit also alleges that the crew member assigned to escort the plaintiff did not follow appropriate safety practices. Instead of proceeding cautiously, the crew member allegedly rushed ahead, forcing Packan to follow quickly, leading directly to the fall. The plaintiff argues that Margaritaville failed to adequately train its employees in safe procedures for escorting passengers through disembarkation points.
Plaintiff Claims Cruise Line Knew or Should Have Known of Hazardous Conditions and Failed to Take Corrective Action
According to the filing, Margaritaville at Sea had actual or constructive notice of the hazardous condition of the stairs and of the importance of crew training related to passenger safety. The cruise line is alleged to have failed to take reasonable steps to fix the stair deficiencies or enforce safer escort practices.
Following the incident, Packan was able to continue walking and joined the shore excursion, but by that afternoon he visited the ship’s medical center due to increasing back pain. Medical staff observed a contusion on his back and prescribed pain medication. The plaintiff asserts that his injuries are ongoing and likely permanent.
Florida Plaintiff Seeks Damages for Lasting Back Injuries, Pain and Suffering, and Loss of Enjoyment Due to Cruise Line Negligence
Packan is seeking compensatory damages for past and future medical expenses, pain and suffering, disability, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. The lawsuit brings multiple counts of negligence, including failure to maintain safe walking surfaces, failure to warn of known hazards, and failure to train crew members in safe disembarkation procedures.
The plaintiff demands a jury trial and alleges that Margaritaville’s negligence—both in the condition of the stairway and the conduct of its employee—was the direct and proximate cause of his injuries.
Contact a Cruise Ship Injury Attorney If You Fell on Unsafe Stairs or Were Injured While Disembarking
Cruise passengers injured on poorly maintained or improperly designed stairs may be entitled to compensation under federal maritime law. Cruise lines have a duty to ensure safe walking surfaces and to train crew members to escort guests safely during embarkation and disembarkation. If you’ve been injured due to slippery steps, faulty handrails, or unsafe procedures while disembarking a vessel, our team can help you explore your legal rights.
Contact us now to speak with a cruise ship fall injury 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.
