Florida Resident Sues Carnival Cruise Line After Sustaining Severe Ankle Injury on Steep Gangway Aboard Carnival Legend
Karen Evans, 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-26064-RAR, alleges that Evans suffered life-altering injuries, including a compound fracture, due to an unreasonably steep gangway and subsequent negligent actions by a tour operator while she was a passenger aboard the Carnival Legend on October 30, 2024.
Cruise Passenger Injured Disembarking Carnival Legend Due to Unsafely Steep Gangway and Lack of Accessible Routes
According to the legal filing, the incident began during the disembarkation process from the Carnival Legend. Evans, who was utilizing an electric wheelchair at the time, encountered a gangway ramp with an incline she deemed unreasonably steep and dangerous for wheelchair access. The lawsuit asserts that Evans explicitly informed ship crew members of her discomfort and the perceived safety hazard of the ramp. Despite this direct notice, the cruise line allegedly failed to provide an alternative, handicap-accessible route for her to exit the vessel. Left with no other option to disembark, Evans attempted to walk down the steep incline with the assistance of her son. During this attempt, she twisted her ankle, sustaining the initial injury that would eventually lead to major medical complications.
Carnival Accused of Negligent Assembly and Failure to Implement Safe Ingress and Egress Policies
The complaint brings multiple counts of negligence against Carnival, focusing on the setup and maintenance of the gangway. Evans alleges that Carnival had exclusive control over the assembly and inspection of the gangway and transition plates. The lawsuit claims the cruise line breached its duty of care by failing to ensure the ramp was set at a safe angle for all passengers, including those with mobility devices. Furthermore, the plaintiff alleges that Carnival failed to implement adequate safety policies and procedures that would have required proper inspection and the provision of warnings or alternative routes when a gangway presents a hazard. The legal team for Evans argues that the cruise line had constructive or actual knowledge of the dangerous condition through its own inspections and the verbal warning provided by Evans immediately prior to her fall.
Lawsuit Details Aggravation of Injury by Tour Operator and Negligent Selection of Excursion Partners
The legal action further describes a harrowing series of events following the initial ankle injury. After the fall on the gangway, Evans returned to her wheelchair and proceeded to a nearby excursion tour bus. While attempting to exit the tour bus later that day, she fell again, aggravating the previous injury. The complaint alleges that the tour bus driver, despite having no medical training and receiving no request for help from Evans, attempted to provide medical treatment. The driver reportedly stated her foot looked out of place and forcibly manipulated her ankle in an attempt to repair it. This unauthorized intervention allegedly transformed the injury into a compound fracture characterized by intense bleeding. Evans contends that Carnival is liable for the negligent selection and retention of this tour operator, arguing the cruise line failed to properly vet the provider’s fitness and training to handle passenger safety and medical emergencies.
Plaintiff Seeks Compensation for Permanent Disfigurement and Extensive Medical Expenses Following Ankle Surgeries
As a result of the incidents on the gangway and the excursion bus, Evans suffered a compound fracture to her right ankle that required two separate surgeries and extensive physical therapy. The lawsuit states that these injuries have resulted in permanent physical impairment, mental anguish, disfigurement, and a diminished quality of life. Evans is seeking compensatory damages for past and future medical expenses, hospital costs, and other out-of-pocket health care needs. The complaint emphasizes that the cruise line’s failure to provide a safe means of disembarkation was the proximate cause of a chain of events that led to these catastrophic physical consequences.
Contact a Cruise Ship Injury Lawyer Today if You Were Injured During Disembarkation or on a Shore Excursion
Passengers who suffer injuries due to unsafe gangway conditions, lack of handicap accessibility, or the negligence of cruise-sponsored tour operators have specific rights under maritime law. Cruise lines are held to a high standard of care regarding the safety of their passengers during the boarding and disembarkation process. If you or a loved one experienced a slip and fall or a medical complication resulting from a cruise line’s failure to maintain safe facilities or vet their excursion partners, it is essential to seek legal guidance. Our experienced maritime attorneys are dedicated to helping victims navigate the complexities of cruise ship litigation and secure the compensation they deserve.
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.
