Florida Woman Sues Carnival Cruise Line After Falling and Suffering Injuries on Escalator Aboard Carnival Celebration
Martha C. Marrero, a resident of Florida, has filed a maritime personal injury lawsuit against Carnival Corporation in the Southern District of Florida. The lawsuit, filed under Case No. 1:26-cv-24088-JB, alleges that Marrero suffered serious and permanent injuries after falling on an escalator while traveling as a passenger aboard the vessel Carnival Celebration on July 7, 2025.
Cruise Passenger Injured Aboard Carnival Celebration Due to Dangerous Escalator and Lack of Crew Warnings
According to the complaint, the incident occurred while Marrero was a fare-paying passenger navigating the vessel. Cruise personnel allegedly directed Marrero to use the escalator, and while she was utilizing it, she fell and sustained severe bodily injuries. The lawsuit asserts that the escalator was in an unreasonably dangerous condition at the time of the accident. Despite Carnival’s duty to maintain its vessel in a reasonably safe manner, cruise line personnel failed to manage the passenger flow safely or intervene to prevent the fall. Marrero highlights that she had no advance warning of the hazard and had no reason to anticipate the risk, as the underlying dangerous condition of the escalator was not open or obvious to passengers.
Carnival Accused of Failing to Maintain, Warn, and Secure Safe Escalator Conditions On Board
The lawsuit alleges that Carnival had both actual and constructive knowledge of the unsafe conditions regarding the escalator. The complaint points out that the danger had existed for a sufficient length of time that the cruise line should have discovered and corrected it through the exercise of reasonable care. Instead, Carnival allegedly failed to provide adequate supervision, ignored necessary safety measures, and failed to warn passengers of the specific hazards associated with using this public walkway. The legal team argues that the cruise line is vicariously liable for the negligent acts and omissions of its employees and agents who failed to monitor the area or guide passengers safely, leading directly to the severe fall.
Complaint Alleges Dangerous Escalator Design, Improper Layout, and Lack of Safety Controls on Carnival Celebration
In addition to operational failures, the complaint brings allegations regarding the design, construction, and approval of the vessel’s layout. The plaintiff contends that Carnival participated in designing or approving an escalator setup that was unsafe for its intended use. Specifically, the cruise line allegedly chose to utilize and approve the escalator as a high-traffic walking area despite the fact that it was not reasonably safe under foreseeable operating conditions. The lawsuit argues that the design lacked appropriate safety mechanisms and failed to accommodate the safe movement of passengers moving between decks, creating a recurring hazard for guests directed to the area by shipboard staff.
Plaintiff Seeks Damages for Permanent Injuries, Medical Expenses, and Loss of Enjoyment of Life Due to Carnival’s Negligence
Marrero brings multiple counts of negligence against Carnival, including general negligence, negligent failure to warn, negligent maintenance, and negligent design, construction, and approval of the escalator. She claims Carnival breached its maritime duty to exercise reasonable care under the circumstances to protect its passengers from foreseeable harm. As a direct result of the fall, Marrero claims she suffered severe bodily injury, physical impairment, disability, disfigurement, scarring, mental anguish, and an aggravation of a previously existing condition. The lawsuit states that these injuries are permanent and continuing in nature. Consequently, she is seeking judgment for economic and non-economic damages, including past and future medical expenses, psychological care, lost earnings, diminished earning capacity, and the loss of capacity for the enjoyment of life.
Contact a Cruise Ship Escalator Injury Lawyer Today if You Were Hurt Aboard a Vessel in Unsafe Conditions
Cruise passengers injured while navigating a vessel due to defective escalators, improper passenger directing, or poorly maintained common areas may be entitled to compensation under maritime law. Cruise operators have a strict legal obligation to ensure that all high-traffic walking areas, including escalators and stairwells, are properly maintained, supervised, and clear of hazards. If you or a loved one suffered a serious injury while traveling on a cruise ship, contact our experienced maritime injury attorneys today. We are dedicated to helping injured passengers understand their rights and pursue the legal accountability 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.
