Florida Resident Sues NCL After Being Struck by Crew Member Pushing Towel Cart on Norwegian Epic
Luz Padilla, a resident of Florida, has filed a maritime personal injury lawsuit against NCL (Bahamas) Ltd. in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida. The lawsuit, filed under Case No. 1:26-cv-22575-DPG, alleges that Padilla suffered severe and permanent injuries after being struck from behind by a heavily loaded towel cart while walking on Deck 14 of the Norwegian Epic on May 19, 2025.
Cruise Passenger Injured on Norwegian Epic Due to Obstructed Vision and Negligent Handling of Towel Cart
According to the complaint, the incident occurred while Padilla was a paying passenger lawfully traversing a public area of the vessel. Without any prior warning, a crew member pushing a towel cart allegedly struck her from behind, causing her to fall and sustain serious physical injuries. The plaintiff alleges that the towel cart was stacked so high with towels that it completely obstructed the crew member’s line of sight, preventing them from seeing passengers in their path. The complaint asserts that this created an unreasonably hazardous condition that was not open or obvious to passengers, as there was no way for Padilla to anticipate the impact from a cart approaching from her rear.
Norwegian Cruise Line Accused of Failing to Warn Passengers of Hazardous Cart Operations and High Speed Maneuvers
The lawsuit alleges that NCL breached its duty of care by failing to provide adequate warnings regarding the risks associated with towel carts being moved through passenger areas. Padilla’s legal team argues that the cruise line knew or should have been aware of these dangers through internal employee training and previous similar incidents. To support the claim of constructive notice, the complaint references several prior lawsuits filed in the Southern District of Florida involving passengers struck by carts on NCL vessels. These include Malik v. NCL, where a passenger was struck by a dining cart on the Norwegian Joy, as well as cases involving the Norwegian Breakaway and the Pride of America. The plaintiff contends that these recurring issues demonstrate a fleetwide failure to manage the safe transport of service carts in areas populated by guests.
Complaint Alleges Negligent Maintenance and Failure to Enforce Safety Policies Regarding Service Carts on Cruise Ships
In addition to the failure to warn, the legal filing targets NCL for failing to properly maintain and supervise its medical and service departments. The plaintiff alleges that the cruise line did not implement or enforce adequate policies to ensure that towel carts were loaded in a manner that preserved a clear line of sight for the operator. The complaint argues that the defendant is vicariously liable for the negligence of its employees who failed to stack the towels at a reasonable height and failed to monitor the deck for the presence of passengers. Furthermore, the suit alleges a failure to properly train staff on the safe operation of these carts, specifically regarding speed and visibility requirements in high traffic areas of the ship.
Plaintiff Seeks Damages for Permanent Injuries and Loss of Cruise Value Following Norwegian Epic Accident
Padilla brings four counts against NCL: negligent failure to warn, negligent failure to maintain, general negligence, and vicarious liability. She claims that as a direct result of the cruise line’s negligence, she suffered physical pain, mental anguish, disability, disfigurement, and the aggravation of pre-existing conditions. The lawsuit states that her injuries are permanent and continuing, leading to significant medical expenses and an impairment of her ability to work. Beyond physical and emotional damages, the plaintiff is seeking compensation for the lost value of her vacation and transportation costs, asserting that the incident entirely deprived her of the benefit of the cruise.
Contact a Cruise Ship Personal Injury Lawyer Today if You Were Injured by a Crew Member or Service Cart
Passengers who sustain injuries due to the negligent operation of service equipment or the actions of crew members may be entitled to significant compensation under general maritime law. Cruise lines are required to exercise reasonable care under the circumstances to ensure that public walkways remain safe from preventable hazards like obstructed carts or high speed service maneuvers. If you or a loved one suffered a similar injury while aboard a vessel, it is vital to speak with a legal professional who understands the complexities of maritime litigation and forum selection clauses.
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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.
