Florida Resident Sues Norwegian Cruise Line Following Trip and Fall on Glass Bridge Aboard Norwegian Epic
Brenda Vecchiarelli, a citizen and resident of Florida, has initiated a maritime personal injury lawsuit against NCL (Bahamas) Ltd., doing business as Norwegian Cruise Lines, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida. The complaint, filed under Case No. 1:26-cv-21115-MD, seeking damages in excess of 75,000 dollars, alleges that Vecchiarelli sustained serious and permanent injuries while sailing as a passenger on the Norwegian Epic. According to the filing, the incident occurred on November 22, 2024, when a hazardous transition on a passenger walkway caused the plaintiff to fall violently to the deck.
Cruise Passenger Injured on Norwegian Epic Glass Bridge Due to Raised Threshold and Hidden Trip Hazard
The lawsuit details an incident that took place on Deck 7 of the Norwegian Epic near the Cagney Restaurant. Vecchiarelli was walking along a section of the vessel known as the Glass Bridge when her foot caught on a raised transition strip or threshold. The complaint asserts that this transition created a sudden and dangerous change in elevation in the walking surface that was not readily perceptible to a reasonably careful passenger. Because the strip lacked sufficient visual cues or warnings to alert travelers to the change in deck level, the plaintiff argues the condition was not open and obvious. Two shipboard employees reportedly witnessed the fall and assisted the plaintiff to her feet before the incident was documented by ship security.
Norwegian Cruise Line Accused of Actual and Constructive Notice of Recurring Trip Hazards on Passenger Vessels
Vecchiarelli’s legal team contends that Norwegian Cruise Line had prior knowledge of the dangers posed by such elevation changes. The complaint argues that trip hazards created by raised thresholds are a known and recurring safety issue in high-traffic areas of cruise ships. To support the claim of actual or constructive notice, the lawsuit references several recent similar incidents involving passengers on other Norwegian vessels. These include a May 2023 fall aboard the Norwegian Breakaway involving Linda Lalusis, an April 2024 fall by Barbara Goolsby on the same ship, and a November 2024 incident involving a passenger named Sviben on the Norwegian Gem. By citing these prior cases, the plaintiff alleges that the cruise line was well aware of the risks associated with non-flush thresholds but failed to implement necessary safety corrections or inspections.
Lawsuit Alleges Negligent Maintenance and Failure to Warn of Dangerous Elevation Changes on Deck 7 Walkways
The complaint brings multiple counts of negligence against the defendant, including both direct and vicarious liability. Under theories of negligent maintenance and failure to warn, the plaintiff argues that Norwegian Cruise Line breached its duty of reasonable care by failing to keep the Glass Bridge in a safe condition. Specifically, the cruise line is accused of allowing a non-flush threshold to exist in a primary walkway and failing to conduct adequate inspections that would have identified the hazard. Furthermore, the lawsuit alleges that the cruise line failed to provide any signage, verbal warnings, or barriers to protect passengers from the specific elevation change near the restaurant. The plaintiff also seeks to hold the cruise line vicariously liable for the actions of crewmembers who were present in the area but failed to identify the hazard or assist passengers in navigating the unsafe walkway.
Plaintiff Seeks Compensation for Fractured Wrist and Permanent Injuries Resulting from Norwegian Epic Fall
As a direct result of the trip and fall, Vecchiarelli claims to have suffered significant physical and emotional damages. The complaint states that the plaintiff sustained a fractured wrist along with other injuries to her body and extremities. The lawsuit seeks compensation for past and future medical expenses, physical pain, mental anguish, and a lost capacity for the enjoyment of life. The plaintiff asserts that these injuries are permanent and continuing in nature, requiring ongoing medical attention and resulting in long-term disability. A demand for a jury trial has been made to determine the full extent of the damages owed by the cruise line for its alleged failure to maintain a safe environment for its fare-paying guests.
Contact a Cruise Ship Trip and Fall Lawyer Today if You Were Injured by a Hazardous Walkway or Raised Threshold
Cruise ship passengers who suffer injuries due to poorly maintained walkways, hidden trip hazards, or a lack of proper safety warnings may be entitled to seek justice under maritime law. Cruise companies have a clear legal responsibility to monitor passenger areas and ensure that transitions between flooring surfaces do not pose a danger to those on board. If you or a loved one experienced a serious fall on a vessel due to negligent maintenance or a failure to warn of dangerous conditions, our team of dedicated maritime injury attorneys is prepared to help you evaluate your claim.
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.
