Florida Woman Sues MSC Cruises After Trip and Fall Over Raised Metal Threshold on MSC Seashore
Marlene Snyder-D’Apice, a resident of Florida, has filed a maritime personal injury lawsuit against MSC Cruises, S.A. in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida. The federal complaint, filed under Case No. 1:26-cv-25160-DPG, alleges that Snyder-D’Apice suffered severe and permanent bodily injuries after tripping over an inadequately marked metal threshold while walking on Deck 8 of the MSC Seashore on February 17, 2025.
Cruise Passenger Injured on MSC Seashore Deck 8 After Tripping over Concealed Doorway Threshold
According to the complaint, the incident occurred at approximately 7:20 a.m. as Snyder-D’Apice was walking from the exterior portion of Deck 8 to the interior deck space. While stepping through a doorway connecting the two areas, her foot caught on a raised metal threshold that featured an abrupt level change in the floor surface. The sudden trip caused her to fall violently onto the deck, resulting in serious physical injuries including a fractured left ankle and a right hip contusion.
The lawsuit asserts that the raised threshold presented an unreasonable hazard that was not open or obvious to passengers approaching from the outside deck. The complaint highlights that the doorway lacked appropriate eye-level warnings and proper edge treatments to alert individuals to the physical height variation.
MSC Cruises Accused of Using Inadequate Warnings and Creating Optical Illusions on Deck Surface
The lawsuit details several specific defects regarding the threshold and surrounding floor design that contributed to the accident. Plaintiff’s counsel alleges that the only purported warning provided by MSC was a small, faded, and worn-out green placard affixed directly onto the threshold itself. Because this placard was positioned on the ground level rather than at eye level or on the door frame, it was not adequately visible to passengers approaching the doorway and opening the door.
In addition to the inadequate warning placard, the complaint claims that the interior deck surface featured a pattern composed of thin black and silver stripes. This design pattern allegedly created an optical illusion in conjunction with the silver metal threshold, effectively camouflaging the abrupt height change and making it visually indistinguishable from the surrounding flooring.
Prior Tripping Incidents on MSC Vessels Cited to Establish Notice of Unsafe Doorway Hazard
The complaint asserts that MSC Cruises had actual and constructive knowledge of the dangerous conditions posed by its threshold designs but failed to take corrective action. To demonstrate notice, the lawsuit points to the small warning sticker itself as proof of actual awareness, while also referencing previous personal injury lawsuits filed against MSC involving similar doorway threshold accidents on Seaside-class vessels.
Specifically, the filing cites Surette v. MSC Cruises S.A., which involved a passenger who tripped and fell on a raised threshold with a small green warning sticker aboard the MSC Seascape in December 2022. It also references McLaren v. MSC Cruises S.A., where a passenger tripped over a Deck 8 doorway threshold featuring a worn-out green warning sticker on the MSC Seashore in February 2024. The lawsuit argues that because these Seaside-class sister ships share identical or substantially similar architectural designs, MSC was fully aware of the ongoing tripping risk across its fleet. Furthermore, the complaint alleges that MSC failed to comply with international maritime safety guidelines under the Safety of Life at Sea treaty and ASTM International walkway standards requiring safe, clear escape routes and proper walkway maintenance.
Plaintiff Seeks Compensation for Permanent Physical Injuries Medical Bills and Lost Vacation Value
Snyder-D’Apice brings three legal counts against MSC Cruises: general negligence, negligent failure to warn, and negligent failure to maintain. The lawsuit asserts that MSC breached its non-delegable duty under general maritime law to exercise reasonable care under the circumstances for the safety of its lawful passengers.
As a direct result of the cruise line’s alleged negligence, Snyder-D’Apice claims she sustained physical injuries to her body and extremities, severe pain and suffering, mental anguish, physical handicap, disfigurement, and loss of enjoyment of life. The complaint states that her injuries are permanent and continuing in nature and will require ongoing medical treatment in the future. The legal action seeks monetary compensation for past and future medical expenses, lost wages, court costs, and the lost value of her cruise vacation and associated transportation expenditures.
Contact a Cruise Ship Trip and Fall Injury Lawyer Today if You Were Injured Onboard
Cruise passengers who sustain injuries due to hidden walkway hazards, raised doorway thresholds, poor lighting, or inadequate warning signage may be entitled to financial recovery under general maritime law. Cruise lines have a non-delegable legal duty to maintain their vessels in a reasonably safe condition and to warn passengers of known dangers that are not open and obvious. If you or a loved one suffered a severe injury during a cruise ship trip and fall accident, reach out to our team of skilled maritime injury attorneys today to review your claim and discuss your legal options.
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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.
