Florida Woman Sues Princess Cruise Lines After Tripping Over Exposed Picnic Table Leg at Princess Cays Resort
Lidia Martins, a resident of Florida, has filed a maritime personal injury lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida against Carnival Corporation, Carnival plc, Princess Cruise Lines, Ltd., and Princess Cays Ltd. The complaint, filed under Case No. 1:26-cv-21227, alleges that Martins sustained severe and permanent physical injuries while visiting the Princess Cays resort in the Bahamas on March 3, 2025. According to the filing, Martins was a passenger aboard the Sky Princess when she was transported to the island and encountered an unreasonably dangerous condition in a designated dining area.
Cruise Passenger Sustains Serious Leg and Shoulder Injuries at Princess Cays Private Island Resort
The incident occurred while Martins was traversing a picnic area on the island of Princess Cays to enjoy lunch. The lawsuit alleges that she tripped and fell over an exposed iron leg of a picnic table that was protruding upward from the ground. This hazard was allegedly created because the wooden bench that was originally bolted to the iron frame had been removed or detached, leaving only the bare metal support structure in a foreseeable pedestrian path. Because the bench was missing, the table appeared to be a standalone unit, and Martins asserts she had no reason to anticipate a vertical iron obstruction protruding from the ground. The fall resulted in significant trauma, including a fractured tibia, a fractured kneecap, and a dislocated and fractured shoulder, all of which required multiple surgical interventions.
Princess Cruise Lines Accused of Creating Latent Trip Hazard by Removing Picnic Table Bench
Martins alleges that the defendants had actual notice of the dangerous condition because their own employees or agents were responsible for unbolting and removing the bench from the table frame. By removing the seating but leaving the iron supports anchored in the ground, the cruise line effectively created a latent and deceptive trip hazard in a high-traffic area. The complaint further notes that a crew member was stationed approximately fifteen feet away from the site of the fall and was within viewing distance of the hazard. Despite this proximity, the staff member allegedly failed to remove the obstruction or provide any warning to passengers walking through the area. Martins argues that the condition existed for at least thirty minutes prior to her accident, providing ample time for the cruise line to remedy the danger.
Negligence Claim Cites Failure to Inspect and Maintain Safe Conditions at Princess Cays Bahamas
The legal action includes counts of negligent failure to inspect and maintain, negligent failure to warn, and vicarious liability. Martins contends that the defendants breached their duty of reasonable care by permitting a dangerous condition to exist in an area where passengers are invited to eat and relax. The lawsuit highlights that the island is continuously staffed and serviced by Carnival and Princess personnel who are responsible for cleaning and setting up the picnic area each time passengers are tendered ashore. Given the frequency of these inspections, the plaintiff argues there is a permissible inference that the staff knew or should have known about the protruding metal leg. The complaint alleges that the cruise line failed to implement adequate maintenance procedures and neglected to use simple safety measures such as warning signs, cones, or barricades to block off the hazard.
Lawsuit Seeks Damages for Permanent Disability and Medical Expenses Following Private Island Accident
As a result of the negligence described in the complaint, Martins claims she has suffered and continues to suffer from bodily injury, pain and suffering, mental anguish, and a loss of capacity for the enjoyment of life. The lawsuit states that her injuries are permanent and continuing in nature, requiring long-term medical care and resulting in significant hospital and nursing expenses. The plaintiff is seeking damages in excess of $75,000, along with interest and costs, to be determined by a jury trial. The filing emphasizes that the defendants maintain total control over the island of Princess Cays and are responsible for the actions of their crew members under the doctrine of respondeat superior.
Contact a Cruise Ship Private Island Injury Lawyer Today if You Were Injured During a Shore Excursion
Cruise passengers who suffer injuries at private island resorts like Princess Cays or during shore excursions may be entitled to compensation if the cruise line failed to maintain a safe environment. Whether an accident involves a trip and fall over a maintenance hazard, a hidden obstruction, or a lack of proper warning signs, maritime law provides a framework for holding cruise lines accountable for passenger safety. If you or a loved one experienced a serious injury while on a cruise vacation, it is important to understand your legal rights. Contact our team of experienced maritime attorneys to discuss your case and explore your options for recovery.
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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.
