Florida Resident Sues NCL After Lounge Chair Collapses on Norwegian Encore Pool Deck
Mary Ospina, 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-20682-JB, alleges that Ospina suffered serious and permanent physical injuries after a defective lounge chair broke while she was relaxing on the pool deck of the Norwegian Encore on February 8, 2025.
Cruise Passenger Injured on Norwegian Encore Due to Defective Lounge Chair and Lack of Safety Inspections
According to the complaint, the incident occurred while Ospina was a fare-paying passenger during a planned vacation aboard the Norwegian Encore. While she was utilizing a lounge chair provided by the cruise line on the ship’s pool deck, the chair suddenly and without any prior warning broke. This mechanical failure caused Ospina to fall backwards unexpectedly. The lawsuit asserts that the crew members aboard the vessel failed to exercise reasonable care in the design, inspection, and maintenance of the lounge chair to ensure it remained in a reasonably safe condition for passenger use.
NCL Accused of Constructive Knowledge Following Prior Incidents Involving Broken Deck Furniture
The legal filing alleges that NCL knew or should have known that the specific lounge chair was defective and presented an unreasonable risk of harm to passengers. To support the claim of constructive knowledge, the plaintiff notes that after her injury occurred, another passenger informed her that their own father had previously sustained an injury due to the same defective chair. Ospina argues that because the pool deck is a high-traffic area frequented by passengers, the cruise line had an ongoing duty to monitor the equipment for safety and remove any furniture that was no longer functioning properly or free from defects.
Complaint Alleges Negligent Failure to Warn and Inadequate Crew Training Regarding Equipment Safety
The lawsuit brings a count of negligence against NCL (Bahamas) Ltd., claiming the cruise line breached its duty of care in several specific ways. Ospina alleges that the defendant failed to provide safe seating, failed to perform periodic inspections of deck furniture, and failed to place warning signs near the dangerous condition. Furthermore, the complaint suggests that the cruise line did not properly train or instruct its staff and crew members on how to identify and remove unsafe or malfunctioning lounge chairs before they could cause injury to unsuspecting guests.
Plaintiff Seeks Compensation for Permanent Injuries and Medical Expenses Resulting from Pool Deck Fall
As a direct result of the fall, Ospina claims to have suffered significant losses including bodily injury, physical pain and suffering, mental anguish, and a loss of capacity for the enjoyment of life. The lawsuit states that her injuries have forced her to incur substantial medical bills and expenses for hospitalization and nursing care. Additionally, the plaintiff alleges that the incident caused the activation or aggravation of pre-existing injuries and led to a loss of earnings and future earning capacity. She asserts that these losses are permanent or continuing in nature and will affect her ability to attend to her personal and business affairs indefinitely.
Contact a Cruise Ship Furniture Injury Lawyer Today if You Were Hurt on a Vessel Due to Equipment Failure
Cruise passengers who suffer injuries due to broken deck chairs, defective equipment, or poorly maintained facilities may be entitled to financial compensation under maritime law. Cruise operators like NCL have a strict legal responsibility to maintain all passenger areas and equipment in a manner that protects guests from foreseeable hazards. If you or a loved one experienced a similar accident involving a collapse or mechanical failure on a cruise ship, contact our team of experienced maritime injury lawyers today. We are dedicated to helping victims understand their rights and pursue the justice they deserve.
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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.
