Florida Woman Sues NCL After Being Struck by Wheelchair and Given Defective Equipment on Norwegian Sun
Virginia Burton, a resident of Florida, has filed a maritime personal injury lawsuit against NCL (Bahamas) Ltd. in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida. The lawsuit, filed under Case No. 1:26-cv-21276, alleges that Burton suffered severe and permanent injuries during two separate but related incidents involving wheelchairs while she was a passenger aboard the Norwegian Sun on February 3, 2025.
Cruise Passenger Injured on Norwegian Sun During Embarkation Crowd Control Failure at Guest Services
According to the complaint, the incident occurred on embarkation day while Burton was waiting in line at the guest services desk. The lawsuit alleges that the guest services area is prone to significant crowding during the start of a cruise and that NCL failed to provide adequate crowd control to ensure passenger safety. While Burton was standing in line, a crew member identified as Joni Diyanto was pushing another passenger in a wheelchair through the crowded area. The complaint states that the crew member suddenly and without warning struck Burton with the wheelchair, causing her to fall violently to the ground. Burton asserts that the cruise line failed to warn her of the inattentive movement of the crew member or the dangers of wheelchair transport in a high-traffic area.
NCL Accused of Providing Defective Wheelchair with Broken Footrest Following Initial Shipboard Injury
The legal filing details a second traumatic event that occurred shortly after the initial collision. Following the first fall, Burton was taken to the ship’s infirmary for medical evaluation. After being treated by the ship’s medical staff, she was provided with an NCL-owned wheelchair to return to her cabin. However, the complaint alleges that this wheelchair was in a dangerous and defective condition. Specifically, the footrest was malfunctioning and unstable. As Burton attempted to sit in the provided equipment, the footrest failed, causing her to fall a second time and suffer aggravated injuries. The lawsuit claims that crew members Tania Kruger and Security Officer Jay later admitted they were aware the footrest was broken before providing the wheelchair to the plaintiff.
Lawsuit Cites Prior Wheelchair Accidents on Norwegian Sun and NCL Getaway as Evidence of Notice
Burton’s legal team argues that NCL had actual and constructive knowledge of the risks associated with both negligent wheelchair operation and defective equipment. The complaint references prior substantially similar incidents within the NCL fleet to demonstrate that the cruise line was on notice of these hazards. Specifically, the lawsuit points to an October 2024 incident on the NCL Getaway where a passenger was injured by a crew member’s negligent operation of a wheelchair. Additionally, the plaintiff cites a 2018 case involving the Norwegian Sun where a passenger was allegedly injured by a defective wheelchair. These previous cases are used to support the claim that NCL failed to implement proper training for crew members and failed to maintain its medical transport equipment in a reasonably safe condition.
Plaintiff Seeks Damages for Permanent Injuries and Medical Expenses Resulting from Multiple Falls
The complaint brings three counts against NCL: negligent failure to warn, general negligence, and vicarious liability. Burton alleges that the cruise line is responsible for the negligent acts of its employees and the failure of its medical staff to provide safe equipment. As a direct result of the two falls, Burton claims to have suffered severe bodily injuries, mental anguish, physical impairment, and disfigurement. The lawsuit seeks compensation for past and future medical expenses, lost earnings, and the loss of capacity for the enjoyment of life. The plaintiff further alleges that the injuries have caused an aggravation of pre-existing conditions and are permanent in nature.
Contact a Cruise Ship Wheelchair Accident Lawyer Today if You Were Injured by Crew Negligence
Cruise passengers who suffer injuries due to being struck by wheelchairs or being provided with malfunctioning medical equipment may be eligible for financial recovery under federal maritime law. Cruise operators like NCL have a duty to exercise reasonable care, which includes properly training staff in passenger transport and ensuring all shipboard equipment is free from defects. If you or a loved one experienced a fall or collision involving a wheelchair on a cruise ship, contact our team of experienced maritime attorneys to discuss your potential claim. We are dedicated to helping injured passengers navigate the complexities of maritime litigation and holding cruise lines accountable for safety failures.
Contact us now to speak with a 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.
