Florida Resident Sues Carnival Cruise Line Following Trip and Fall on Uneven Metal Threshold Aboard Carnival Horizon
Jacqueline Lingner, a resident of Florida, has initiated 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. 1:26-cv-20755-RKA, alleges that Lingner suffered severe and permanent physical injuries after tripping on a hazardous flooring transition while sailing as a passenger aboard the Carnival Horizon on April 22, 2025.
Cruise Passenger Injured on Carnival Horizon Due to Hazardous Raised Metal Threshold and Uneven Flooring on Deck 4
According to the legal filing, the incident took place on Deck 4 of the vessel while the ship was in navigable waters. Lingner was walking through a high-traffic area when she encountered an uneven and exposed metal threshold. The complaint asserts that this hazardous flooring condition was not open or obvious to passengers and that Lingner had no way of anticipating the danger before her fall. The plaintiff alleges that the metal strip was not flush with the surrounding floor and that the adhesive glue intended to secure the flooring mat had dried out, causing the transition to become a tripping hazard. Despite the area being a location frequently traversed and monitored by shipboard staff, the cruise line allegedly failed to identify or remedy the protruding threshold before it caused the accident.
Carnival Accused of Failing to Warn of Trip and Fall Hazards Despite Knowledge of Similar Flooring Accidents Across Fleet
The lawsuit contends that Carnival had actual or constructive knowledge of the dangerous flooring conditions on Deck 4. To support this claim, the plaintiff’s counsel points to a series of prior personal injury lawsuits involving similar metal thresholds on various Carnival ships. The complaint cites multiple recent cases, including Dorrian v. Carnival involving the Carnival Venezia, Wynn v. Carnival on the Carnival Elation, and Hernandez v. Carnival on the Carnival Firenze. Additionally, the filing references similar incidents aboard the Carnival Vista, Carnival Jubilee, and Carnival Celebration. Lingner argues that these numerous prior accidents involving raised metal floor strips and changes in flooring levels should have put the cruise line on notice that these specific design and maintenance issues posed a recurring risk to passenger safety.
Complaint Alleges Negligent Maintenance and Violation of Maritime Safety Regulations Regarding Escape Routes and Walkways
Beyond the failure to warn, the legal action alleges that Carnival breached its duty to maintain the vessel in a reasonably safe condition. The complaint specifically highlights that the area where the fall occurred is considered an escape route under international maritime standards. The plaintiff alleges that Carnival failed to comply with safety guidelines set forth in the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) treatise, which requires that escape routes be maintained in a safe condition and clear of all obstacles. The lawsuit further claims that the cruise line failed to properly train its crew members to inspect for these types of flooring defects and did not utilize its onboard video surveillance system effectively to monitor and address hazardous conditions in real time.
Plaintiff Seeks Compensation for Permanent Physical Injuries and Loss of Enjoyment of Life Resulting from Carnival Negligence
Lingner’s lawsuit brings three counts of negligence against the defendant: negligent failure to warn, negligent failure to maintain, and general negligence. The complaint states that as a direct result of Carnival’s failure to provide reasonable care, the plaintiff suffered significant injuries to her body and extremities. These injuries have resulted in physical pain, mental anguish, disability, and disfigurement. Furthermore, Lingner claims the accident led to a loss of wages and a permanent impairment of her ability to work. In addition to seeking damages for medical expenses and ongoing care, the plaintiff is seeking compensation for the lost value of her vacation and transportation costs, asserting that the cruise experience was entirely disrupted by the preventable incident.
Contact a Cruise Ship Trip and Fall Lawyer Today if You Were Injured by Unsafe Flooring or Hidden Hazards Aboard a Vessel
Passengers who suffer injuries due to uneven flooring, loose thresholds, or poorly maintained walkways on a cruise ship may be entitled to significant compensation under federal maritime law. Cruise operators have a non-delegable duty to maintain their decks and interior passenger areas in a condition that ensures the safety of everyone on board. If you or a loved one experienced a serious injury because a cruise line failed to warn of a hidden tripping hazard or failed to perform necessary inspections, it is vital to understand your legal rights. Our team of dedicated maritime attorneys is prepared to help you hold the cruise line accountable for their negligence.
Contact us now to speak with a cruise ship and maritime 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.
