Florida Woman Sues MSC Cruises After Tripping on Hidden Gap in Theater Aboard MSC Seashore
Nancy Reach, a resident of Cape Canaveral, Florida, has filed a maritime personal injury lawsuit against MSC Cruises S.A. in the Southern District of Florida. The lawsuit, filed under Case No. 1:25-cv-23682-RKA, alleges that Reach suffered serious injuries after tripping over a concealed gap in the main theater aboard the MSC Seashore during her October 15, 2024 cruise.
Cruise Passenger Injured in MSC Seashore Theater Due to Hidden Gap, Poor Lighting, and Lack of Warnings
According to the complaint, the incident occurred as Reach entered the ship’s midship theater with her daughter to attend a scheduled performance. Due to a delay in the theater schedule, MSC crew allegedly rushed a large crowd of passengers into the venue while the previous performance was still in progress. As a result, the theater remained dimly lit, and the aisles became overcrowded.
While descending the theater steps, Reach turned into a row of seats when her foot became trapped in a hidden gap between the deck and the back of a seat. The lawsuit states that the lighting conditions and crowding made the hazard undetectable and that Reach received no verbal warnings from crew members. She fell hard, injuring her left index finger and aggravating a pre-existing spinal condition. The complaint claims the onboard medical team attempted a reduction procedure on her finger that was improperly performed.
MSC Accused of Negligence in Theater Design, Maintenance, and Failure to Warn Passengers of Tripping Hazard
The lawsuit alleges multiple failures by MSC Cruises, including improper theater design and inadequate maintenance of the seating and aisle layout. According to Reach, the theater’s seating arrangement created concealed gaps that were not flush with the adjacent floor area—posing a hidden tripping hazard. She claims that the theater lacked adequate lighting, handrails, and signage, and that MSC failed to station crew members to supervise and warn passengers, despite knowing the risk.
Reach asserts that MSC was aware of these safety risks due to prior similar incidents aboard its ships, including the Divina and Seaside, which featured comparable theater layouts. These prior cases allegedly involved passengers who were injured due to loose step nosings, poor lighting, and absence of handrails—conditions similar to those present during Reach’s fall. The lawsuit points to these cases as evidence that MSC had actual and constructive notice of the dangerous condition.
Theater Hazard on MSC Seashore Allegedly Part of Systemic Design Flaws Across MSC Fleet
The complaint emphasizes that MSC Cruises was directly involved in designing and specifying the construction of the MSC Seashore, including the layout of its main theater. MSC contracted Fincantieri shipyards in Italy to build the ship according to its specifications. The plaintiff alleges that MSC failed to follow its own safety protocols regarding handrails, aisle spacing, lighting, and hazard warnings, and neglected to act on findings from previous theater-related accidents aboard its vessels.
In addition to claims of negligent design and maintenance, the lawsuit argues that MSC’s onboard policies required crew members to assist passengers during entry and exit in the theater due to known hazards. Despite this, no crew member was present at the location where Reach fell, and no verbal warning was provided. The complaint further states that onboard video surveillance should have alerted MSC staff to the overcrowding and obscured hazard, yet no corrective action was taken.
Plaintiff Seeks Compensation for Lasting Injuries and Loss of Enjoyment from Cruise Incident
Reach brings five counts of negligence against MSC Cruises: general negligence, negligent maintenance, failure to warn, vicarious liability for crew negligence, and vicarious liability for failure to warn. She claims that as a result of MSC’s conduct, she sustained permanent injuries, including pain, disability, emotional distress, and ongoing medical expenses. She also seeks damages for the disruption of her vacation and related financial losses due to the incident.
Injured in a Cruise Ship Theater? Contact a Florida Cruise Ship Injury Attorney Today
Passengers injured in cruise ship theaters due to hidden hazards, unsafe design, poor lighting, or lack of crew warnings may have grounds for a maritime personal injury lawsuit. Cruise lines such as MSC Cruises are legally obligated to design and maintain their entertainment venues in a manner that protects passengers from foreseeable risks. If you or a loved one suffered an injury aboard a cruise ship due to poor safety measures or unaddressed hazards, our experienced team of Florida cruise injury attorneys can help you pursue compensation.
Contact us now to speak with a cruise ship accident 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.
