Carnival Cruise Line Lawsuit Filed After Top Bunk Collapses in Cabin on Carnival Sunrise
Gladnia Laroche, a Florida resident, has filed a maritime personal injury lawsuit against Carnival Cruise Line in the Southern District of Florida. The lawsuit, filed under Case No. 1:25-cv-25469-FAM, alleges that Laroche was thrown from her assigned upper bunk when it suddenly collapsed during a cruise aboard the Carnival Sunrise, causing significant injuries and leading to long-term physical limitations.
Passenger Injured After Bunk Bed Collapses Without Warning Inside Cruise Ship Cabin
According to the complaint, the incident occurred on February 28, 2025, during a cruise from Miami to the Eastern Caribbean. Laroche had returned to her cabin with three companions and climbed onto the top bunk assigned to her. Without warning, the bunk collapsed, sending her falling onto a table and the floor below. She struck her back, side, and arm, resulting in immediate pain and injuries.
Laroche alleges that the bunk bed was unsafe and improperly secured by Carnival’s crew. Despite repeated calls for help, no crew member responded for an extended period. When assistance did arrive, she was escorted to the ship’s medical center, where a physician only recorded her vital signs and administered Tylenol. Carnival allegedly informed her that the onboard X-ray machine was broken, so no imaging or proper diagnosis could be performed.
Carnival Accused of Failing to Inspect and Maintain Dangerous Bunk Beds on Sunrise
The lawsuit alleges Carnival failed to inspect, maintain, or properly secure the bunk bed prior to passenger use. Laroche claims the cruise line allowed a defective bunk structure to remain in service, despite it being within the cabin crew’s regular areas of responsibility. The complaint contends Carnival’s crew was responsible for deploying and checking the bunk, giving the cruise line actual or constructive knowledge of the dangerous condition.
Additionally, Carnival allegedly failed to warn Laroche of the hazard. No signage, verbal notice, or instruction was given to alert her to the potential risk of collapse or instability. Laroche claims that the crew also failed to document the incident or provide meaningful medical follow-up during the voyage.
Lawsuit Brings Negligence and Failure to Warn Claims Over Collapsing Bunk Bed Injury
Laroche brings two counts against Carnival: general negligence and negligent failure to warn. She argues that Carnival breached its non-delegable duty to provide a reasonably safe cabin environment for passengers. Specific allegations include:
- Failing to properly inspect or secure the upper bunk
- Allowing a defective bed to remain in use
- Failing to respond promptly to emergency calls
- Providing inadequate medical care following the incident
- Failing to warn of hidden dangers not obvious to passengers
The complaint also alleges Carnival failed to implement policies to ensure guests were notified when a bed was not properly secured, and that crew lacked adequate training on passenger safety and bunk setup procedures.
Plaintiff Seeks Compensation for Ongoing Pain, Disability, and Loss of Earning Capacity
Laroche alleges that she sustained serious physical injuries, emotional distress, disability, disfigurement, and a loss of enjoyment of life. The complaint states she incurred medical expenses, lost wages, and reduced earning capacity due to the injuries suffered during the fall. These damages, according to the lawsuit, are permanent and continuing in nature.
She is demanding a jury trial and seeks all compensatory damages allowed under maritime law.
Contact a Cruise Cabin Injury Lawyer If You Were Hurt Due to Unsafe Bunk Beds or Furniture
Cruise lines have a legal responsibility to maintain cabins in a safe condition for passengers. If you or someone you love has been injured due to collapsing bunk beds, unstable furniture, or other defective conditions aboard a cruise ship, you may be entitled to compensation under maritime law.
Contact us now to speak with a cruise ship injury 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.
