Florida Woman Sues MSC Cruises After Fall in Concert Hall Aboard MSC Seashore
Mirtha Matallana, a 75-year-old Florida resident, has filed a maritime personal injury lawsuit against MSC Cruises, S.A. in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida. The complaint, filed under Case No. 1:25-cv-24179, stems from a fall that allegedly occurred when the lights were suddenly extinguished inside a concert venue aboard the MSC Seashore on August 12, 2025.
MSC Passenger Falls After Lights Suddenly Go Out in Aisle with No Handrails Aboard MSC Seashore Concert Hall
According to the complaint, the incident occurred during a four-night Bahamas cruise that departed Port Canaveral on August 10, 2025. Matallana was attending an onboard concert with her adult son when they arrived at the venue just before the show began. No ushers were present to assist them to their seats, so they proceeded down an aisle independently. As they walked, the lights illuminating the aisle were allegedly turned off abruptly as the concert began—leaving them in near-total darkness.
Disoriented and unfamiliar with the layout of the concert hall, Matallana attempted to regain her balance by reaching for a handrail, but the aisle lacked any such support. Her son, also unable to see, turned to assist her, but was too late to prevent her from falling hard to the floor. The lawsuit claims that the sudden blackout in the absence of safety measures created a dangerous and foreseeable risk to passengers, particularly elderly individuals.
Lawsuit Alleges MSC Was Negligent for Failing to Provide Handrails, Ushers, or Warnings in Darkened Venue
Matallana’s lawsuit brings two counts of negligence against MSC Cruises. The first claim asserts vicarious liability for the alleged negligence of a crew member who turned off the aisle lights at a critical moment when passengers were still walking to their seats. The second claim alleges direct liability on MSC’s part for failing to take reasonable safety precautions to prevent foreseeable harm during routine onboard events.
The complaint emphasizes that MSC had knowledge that the lighting in the concert venue would be dimmed or extinguished at the start of performances, as this was standard practice. The plaintiff argues that MSC could have easily mitigated the risk by installing handrails along the aisles, assigning ushers to escort passengers to their seats, or delaying the blackout until all guests were seated. According to the lawsuit, the failure to adopt such precautions was a breach of MSC’s duty to provide a reasonably safe environment for passengers.
Fall Aboard MSC Seashore Results in Lasting Injuries and Ongoing Medical Costs, Lawsuit Claims
Matallana alleges that the fall caused serious injuries, including pain and suffering, physical impairment, emotional distress, and the aggravation of a pre-existing condition. She further claims that she has incurred substantial expenses for hospitalization, medical treatment, and nursing care, and that these expenses—as well as her suffering—will continue into the future. The complaint seeks damages exceeding $75,000, as well as costs, and a jury trial has been requested.
MSC Accused of Creating Dangerous Conditions During Concert by Abruptly Turning Off Lights Without Warning
The legal filing argues that MSC either knew or should have known that turning off the lights in an unfamiliar and crowded space—especially while guests were still navigating the aisles—posed a substantial risk of injury. The cruise line allegedly created a dangerous condition and failed to take even basic steps to protect passengers from harm. Because the lighting changes were part of a pre-planned performance and occurred under MSC’s control, the plaintiff contends that the cruise line cannot disclaim knowledge of the hazard it created.
Injured During a Cruise Ship Show or Entertainment Event? Speak With a Florida Maritime Injury Lawyer
Falls aboard cruise ships are among the most common types of passenger injuries, particularly during onboard entertainment events where visibility, footing, and crowd movement can present challenges. Cruise lines like MSC have a legal responsibility to ensure that performance venues are safely designed and properly staffed, especially when sudden lighting changes are part of the show. If you or a loved one has suffered a fall or other injury in a darkened cruise ship venue, you may be entitled to compensation under maritime law.
Contact us now to speak with an experienced Florida 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.
