Florida Resident Sues Royal Caribbean After Broken Chair Incident on Adventure of the Seas
Emma Pastor Sabi, a resident of Florida, has initiated a maritime personal injury lawsuit against Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. in the Southern District of Florida. The legal action, filed under Case No. 1:26-cv-22546-RAR, alleges that Sabi sustained serious and permanent injuries after a defective chair collapsed beneath her while she was a passenger aboard the Adventure of the Seas on May 27, 2025.
Cruise Passenger Injured in Adventure of the Seas Imperial Lounge Due to Broken Furniture
The complaint states that the incident took place in the Imperial Lounge located on Deck 5 of the vessel. Sabi, a paying passenger at the time, attempted to sit in a chair provided by the cruise line when it suddenly failed, causing her to fall violently to the ground. The lawsuit contends that the chair was in a broken and dangerous condition that was not immediately apparent to the plaintiff. Sabi alleges that the chair was unsafe because Royal Caribbean failed to perform adequate or periodic inspections and maintenance to ensure the furniture was fit for passenger use. Furthermore, the complaint suggests that a pillow had been placed on the chair which effectively disguised the structural defect from unsuspecting passengers.
Royal Caribbean Accused of Constructive Knowledge Following String of Similar Cruise Ship Chair Accidents
The lawsuit asserts that Royal Caribbean had both actual and constructive knowledge of the hazard. According to the filing, it is the cruise line’s own policy to clean the lounge area daily, a task that requires crew members to move and handle the chairs. The plaintiff argues that during these routine cleaning intervals, staff should have identified that the chair was compromised. To establish a pattern of negligence, Sabi’s legal team identifies five prior incidents involving passengers injured by collapsing or breaking furniture aboard various Royal Caribbean ships, including the Oasis of the Seas, Harmony of the Seas, Freedom of the Seas, Grandeur of the Seas, and Serenade of the Seas. These previous cases, occurring between 2022 and 2024, are cited to demonstrate that the cruise line was well aware of the recurring risk of furniture failure across its fleet but failed to implement a successful corrective action policy to prevent further injuries.
Complaint Alleges Negligent Failure to Warn and Maintain Safe Conditions Aboard Adventure of the Seas
The legal filing includes four distinct counts of negligence against the defendant: general negligence, failure to maintain, negligent failure to warn, and negligence under a theory of res ipsa loquitur. Sabi alleges that Royal Caribbean breached its duty of reasonable care by failing to provide a safe seating environment and failing to warn her of the specific risks associated with the broken chair. Under the theory of res ipsa loquitur, the plaintiff argues that a lounge chair does not ordinarily collapse in the absence of negligence and that the furniture was under the exclusive control of the cruise line. The complaint maintains that the dangerous condition existed for a sufficient length of time that the cruise line should have discovered and repaired it through the exercise of standard maritime care.
Plaintiff Seeks Compensation for Permanent Injuries and Lost Cruise Value Following Lounge Fall
As a direct result of the fall, Sabi claims to have suffered significant physical injuries to her body and extremities. The lawsuit details damages including physical pain, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life, and the aggravation of pre-existing conditions. Additionally, Sabi points to economic losses such as medical expenses, lost wages, and a permanent impairment of her ability to work. Beyond the physical and financial toll, the plaintiff seeks recovery for the lost value of her vacation and transportation costs, asserting that the negligence of the cruise line completely deprived her of the benefits of her cruise.
Contact a Cruise Ship Furniture Injury Lawyer if You Were Hurt by Defective Equipment on a Vessel
Passengers who suffer injuries due to broken furniture, defective equipment, or poorly maintained facilities on a cruise ship may be eligible for compensation under federal maritime law. Cruise operators like Royal Caribbean are legally required to maintain their vessels in a reasonably safe condition for all travelers. If you or a loved one experienced a fall or injury due to a structural failure or lack of maintenance while at sea, speaking with an experienced maritime attorney can help you protect your rights. Our team is dedicated to investigating these incidents and holding cruise lines accountable for safety failures.
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.
