Florida Passenger Sues Carnival Cruise Line After Trip and Fall Accident on Uneven Deck Flooring Aboard Carnival Glory
Amy Koester, a resident of Florida, has initiated a maritime personal injury lawsuit against Carnival Corporation in the Southern District of Florida. The legal filing details an incident in which Koester allegedly suffered serious and permanent injuries after tripping over uneven tile flooring while walking aboard the Carnival Glory on November 29, 2025.
Carnival Glory Passenger Sustains Severe Hip Injury Due to Dangerous Tile Flooring in Interior Walkway
The incident reportedly occurred during a three night voyage departing from Cape Canaveral. According to the complaint, Koester and her son were walking through an interior passenger walkway on Deck 10 near the forward glass elevators. Without any prior warning, she tripped over raised and defective tile flooring, which led to a severe fall and significant injuries to her left hip. The lawsuit claims that the flooring in this highly trafficked area was dangerously uneven and posed a hidden tripping hazard to reasonable passengers. Furthermore, the plaintiff asserts that there were no caution signs, warning cones, or crew members present to alert passengers to the dangerous condition.
Lawsuit Alleges Carnival Failed to Maintain and Inspect Walkways to Prevent Cruise Ship Trip and Fall Accidents
Koester brings three specific counts of negligence against the cruise line, which include negligent maintenance, negligent inspection, and negligent failure to warn. The plaintiff alleges that Carnival breached its duty of reasonable care by allowing the tile flooring to become raised and loose over time. The complaint argues that the uneven nature of the floor was not a sudden occurrence but rather the result of long term wear and tear that Carnival had ample time to discover and repair. The lawsuit also asserts that Carnival failed to comply with international maritime safety standards, specifically citing ANSI guidelines which mandate that tile lippage must not exceed a fraction of an inch. By ignoring these industry standards, the cruise line allegedly failed to maintain a safe environment for its guests.
Maritime Complaint Cites History of Similar Carnival Cruise Line Flooring Hazards and Unsafe Conditions
To establish that Carnival had notice of the dangerous flooring, the legal team highlights several prior lawsuits involving similar trip and fall accidents on other Carnival vessels. The complaint references cases involving passengers who tripped over loose or uneven tiles on ships including the Carnival Sunshine, Carnival Luminosa, Carnival Horizon, and Carnival Triumph. These prior incidents are presented to demonstrate that Carnival was fully aware of the recurring issues with the installation and maintenance of tile flooring across its fleet but failed to implement appropriate safety measures or adequate inspection protocols to protect passengers.
Plaintiff Seeks Compensation for Emergency Hip Surgery and Lost Wages Following Maritime Personal Injury
As a result of the fall, Koester required emergency surgery for her hip injury. The lawsuit outlines her demand for damages, which encompasses past and future medical expenses, pain and suffering, physical impairment, and mental anguish. Additionally, the plaintiff is seeking compensation for lost wages, a reduction in future earning capacity, and the lost value of her cruise vacation and transportation costs. Koester claims these injuries are permanent in nature and have significantly impacted her quality of life.
Contact a Florida Cruise Ship Trip and Fall Injury Lawyer for Legal Assistance
Passengers who suffer injuries due to poorly maintained flooring, uneven decks, or a lack of warning signs while traveling at sea may have grounds to seek compensation under general maritime law. Cruise operators have a strict legal duty to ensure that all passenger walkways are properly inspected, maintained, and safe for regular use.
If you or a family member sustained injuries in a cruise ship trip and fall accident, exploring your legal options with a qualified attorney is essential. Please reach out to our legal team to discuss your potential maritime personal injury claim. Visit https://holzberglegal.com/contact-us/ to speak with a cruise ship injury lawyer today.
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.
