Florida Woman Sues MSC Cruises After Bunk Bed Ladder Collapses on MSC Divina
Maria Monsalve, a resident of Aventura, Florida, has filed a maritime personal injury lawsuit against MSC Cruises (U.S.A.) LLC and MSC Cruises SA in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida. The lawsuit, filed under Case No. 1:26-cv-20064, alleges that Monsalve suffered serious and permanent injuries after a bunk bed ladder shifted violently and broke while she was descending from her bed aboard the MSC Divina on February 9, 2025.
Cruise Passenger Injured on MSC Divina Due to Improperly Secured and Broken Bunk Bed Ladder
According to the complaint, Monsalve was a lawful passenger and invitee aboard the MSC Divina. At the time of the incident, she was attempting to descend from the top bunk of an interior cabin in her assigned stateroom. As she began her descent, the ladder suddenly shifted to one side, causing her to fall with great force onto the cabin floor. The lawsuit alleges that the ladder was either improperly attached to the top bunk or was in a broken condition that prevented it from being properly secured. Specifically, the complaint points to a broken J-hook on the ladder which created undue stress and caused the equipment to fail as the plaintiff used it. This failure resulted in Monsalve landing heavily on her left ankle, leading to severe physical trauma.
MSC Cruises Accused of Failing to Warn Passengers of Dangerous Stateroom Equipment Hazards
The legal filing asserts that MSC Cruises had a duty to warn passengers of known dangers within their staterooms, particularly regarding the configuration of bunk beds and ladders. Monsalve alleges that the cruise line had actual or constructive knowledge of the hazardous condition because the company is responsible for training its crew members on the proper setup of cabins and the identification of broken furniture. Despite this responsibility, the defendants allegedly failed to provide any verbal or written warnings regarding the improperly secured ladder or the dangers of using equipment with compromised J-hooks. The complaint further suggests that the cruise line failed to warn of similar fall incidents that had previously occurred involving bunk beds on its vessels, which would have informed the plaintiff of the risks associated with her sleeping arrangements.
Lawsuit Alleges Negligent Maintenance and Inspection of Cabin Furniture Aboard MSC Divina
In addition to the failure to warn, the plaintiff alleges that MSC Cruises failed to adequately maintain and inspect the stateroom to ensure it was safe for occupancy. The lawsuit claims that the cruise line negligently failed to follow its own required policies and procedures for the proper setup of cabin ladders. Monsalve’s legal team argues that the ladder remained in a dangerous state for a sufficient length of time that the crew should have discovered and corrected it through reasonable care. The complaint states that the incident would have been avoided if the cruise line had performed regular inspections of the cabin configuration to determine if the ladders were sufficiently secured to the bunk beds. The plaintiff contends that this knowledge of equipment failure should have been acquired through routine maintenance or by reviewing reports of prior injuries within the cruise industry involving similar cabin setups.
Plaintiff Seeks Damages for Bimalleolar Fracture and Permanent Injuries Caused by Cruise Ship Negligence
The complaint includes eight counts of negligence against the MSC entities, including negligent failure to warn, negligent failure to maintain, vicarious liability for the active negligence of the crew, and general negligence. As a result of the fall, Monsalve suffered a left ankle bimalleolar fracture, a talus osteochondral defect, and significant ligament damage. These injuries required extensive medical intervention, including open reduction with internal fixation surgery, microfracture of the talus, and deltoid ligament repair. The lawsuit seeks compensation for physical and mental pain and anguish, disability, loss of capacity for the enjoyment of life, and significant medical expenses. The plaintiff also claims loss of earnings and an impairment of her future ability to earn money, stating that her injuries are permanent and continuing in nature.
Contact a Cruise Ship Bunk Bed Injury Lawyer Today if You Were Hurt in a Cabin Accident
Passengers who suffer injuries due to broken cabin furniture, defective ladders, or improperly maintained stateroom equipment may be entitled to significant compensation under maritime law. Cruise lines are legally obligated to provide a reasonably safe environment for their guests, which includes ensuring that all room fixtures and sleeping arrangements are properly inspected and secured. If you or a loved one experienced a fall or injury due to a defective ladder or unsafe cabin conditions, our team of experienced maritime attorneys is ready to assist you. We can help you navigate the complexities of filing a claim against a major cruise line and ensure your rights are protected.
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.
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A Florida woman sues MSC Cruises after a bunk bed ladder collapsed aboard the MSC Divina, causing a severe ankle fracture. The lawsuit alleges negligent maintenance.
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MSC Cruises lawsuit, MSC Divina bunk bed injury, cruise ship ladder accident, maritime personal injury Florida, cruise cabin fall lawyer, MSC Cruises negligence claim, bunk bed ladder collapse lawsuit, Southern District of Florida maritime attorney.
