Florida Woman Sues Margaritaville at Sea After Falling Down Unsafe Stairway Aboard Paradise Cruise Ship
Annette Fisher, a Miami-Dade County resident, has filed a maritime negligence lawsuit in the Middle District of Florida against Classica Cruise Operator Ltd. and Classica Cruise Operator Ltd. Inc., both doing business as Margaritaville at Sea. The lawsuit, filed under Case No. 6:25-cv-01034-RBD-LHP, alleges that Fisher sustained serious and permanent injuries after falling on a hazardous stairway aboard the Paradise cruise ship on June 12, 2024.
Cruise Passenger Injured Descending Stairs Near Margaritaville Island Reserve on Paradise Ship
According to the complaint, Fisher was descending stairs from Deck 9 adjacent to the Margaritaville Island Reserve area when she encountered a dangerous metal edge on the stairway that caused her to fall. The lawsuit claims that the stairs were not maintained in a reasonably safe condition and that there were no warnings provided to passengers about the unsafe feature. Fisher alleges the cruise line failed to provide any signage, visual indicators, or crew assistance to help passengers navigate the hazard, despite its location in a high-traffic area near a major passenger amenity.
Margaritaville at Sea Accused of Failing to Maintain and Warn of Stairway Hazards on the Paradise
The complaint alleges that Margaritaville at Sea, through both of its corporate entities, had actual and constructive knowledge of the dangerous condition on the stairway. Fisher contends that the metal edging posed an unreasonable risk to passengers, especially in an area frequently used by guests moving between decks. Despite the risk, the cruise line allegedly failed to repair the stairs or place warning signs in the vicinity. The lawsuit further asserts that the hazardous condition existed for a sufficient period of time that the cruise line should have discovered and corrected it prior to the incident.
Complaint Highlights Defective Stair Design and Inadequate Safety Measures Aboard Margaritaville Cruise Ship
Fisher’s complaint points to negligent design and poor maintenance of the stairway as the root cause of her fall. She alleges that the materials used for the stair treads, including the exposed metal edge, were unsuitable for a marine environment and created a heightened slip and trip hazard. The lack of non-slip material, poor lighting, and inadequate visual contrast on the steps are cited as additional safety deficiencies. The cruise operator is further accused of failing to comply with its own internal safety protocols for stair maintenance and hazard detection.
Florida Passenger Seeks Damages for Long-Term Injuries and Cruise Disruption Due to Alleged Cruise Line Negligence
Fisher is bringing two counts of negligence—one against each corporate entity operating under the Margaritaville at Sea brand. She claims the cruise line breached its duty to exercise reasonable care under the circumstances and failed to protect her from a known hazard. As a result of the fall, Fisher suffered significant bodily injuries, emotional distress, loss of earnings, and ongoing medical expenses. Her injuries are described as permanent and likely to affect her quality of life and earning capacity in the future. She is also seeking compensation for the lost value of her cruise experience and related travel costs.
Contact a Cruise Ship Stairway Injury Attorney If You Were Hurt on Board a Margaritaville at Sea Cruise
Cruise passengers injured due to unsafe stairways, poor design, or lack of maintenance aboard cruise ships may be entitled to compensation under maritime law. Cruise lines like Margaritaville at Sea are responsible for keeping stairways and other pathways safe and well-marked for passengers. If you or someone you know was injured on a cruise ship due to a stairway hazard, contact our experienced maritime injury attorneys today to discuss your case.
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