Florida Woman Sues Princess Cruises After Suffering Burns from Spilled Hot Tea Aboard Emerald Princess
Yolette Aboubaker, a Florida resident, has filed a maritime personal injury lawsuit against Princess Cruise Lines, Ltd. in the Southern District of Florida. The lawsuit, filed under Case No. 0:25-cv-61975-WPD, alleges that Aboubaker sustained serious burns after a server aboard the Emerald Princess served her dangerously hot tea in a cup with a loose lid, which later dislodged and spilled the beverage on her body during dinner service on November 29, 2024.
Cruise Passenger Burned in Main Dining Room by Improperly Sealed Cup of Scalding Hot Tea
According to the complaint, Aboubaker was dining in the ship’s Main Dining Room during the early evening of the cruise when she requested a cup of hot tea. A server returned with a lidded cup, which Aboubaker attempted to drink from at her table. As she raised the cup, the lid became dislodged, causing the scalding liquid to spill directly onto her chest, left side, buttock, and leg.
The lawsuit contends that the hot tea was served in an unreasonably dangerous condition. Princess Cruises is accused of failing to ensure the lid was properly secured before presenting it to Aboubaker and of using beverage containers that were unsafe for hot liquids. The cruise line allegedly did not warn the plaintiff that the lid was not secure and failed to use even minimal care in inspecting or safely serving the beverage.
Princess Cruise Lines Accused of Serving Unsafe Hot Beverage and Failing to Warn Passenger of Burn Risk
Aboubaker’s legal team argues that Princess was negligent in several ways, including:
- Failing to properly secure the lid on a dangerously hot beverage
- Using an unsafe cup design that allowed for easy dislodging of the lid
- Failing to warn the plaintiff of the unsecured lid
- Failing to train or supervise crew in safely serving hot drinks to passengers
The lawsuit states that Princess Cruise Lines either knew or should have known about the risks of serving hot liquids without ensuring lid security, particularly in a moving vessel environment. Furthermore, the cruise line allegedly failed to remedy or mitigate the hazard, allowing the incident to unfold despite opportunities for prevention.
Passenger Claims Permanent Burn Injuries, Scarring, and Lifestyle Impact from Hot Liquid Spill
As a result of the incident, Aboubaker claims she sustained permanent and painful injuries, including scarring and physical handicap. The burns are alleged to have caused long-term damage to her body and extremities, with ongoing pain and functional limitations. The complaint also states that these injuries have materially impaired her ability to resume her normal lifestyle.
In addition to physical injuries, Aboubaker seeks damages for past and future medical expenses and other losses related to pain, suffering, and reduced quality of life. Her legal team asserts that the cruise line’s negligence was the direct and proximate cause of these injuries.
Cruise Lines Must Ensure Safe Service of Hot Beverages to Passengers
This case highlights the importance of proper food and beverage service aboard cruise ships, particularly involving hot liquids that can cause severe burns. Maritime law requires cruise lines to exercise reasonable care in serving passengers and to prevent foreseeable injuries arising from unsafe practices.
If Princess Cruise Lines is found liable, the case may encourage stricter training for onboard servers and revised policies regarding container safety for hot drinks.
Contact a Cruise Ship Burn Injury Lawyer Today if You Were Scalded Aboard a Vessel
Passengers injured by spilled hot beverages aboard cruise ships may be entitled to compensation under maritime law. Cruise lines have a legal duty to serve food and drinks in a safe manner, particularly when dealing with scalding liquids that can cause lasting harm.
If you or someone you know suffered burns due to improperly served hot beverages while aboard a cruise ship, our maritime injury lawyers can help you understand your legal rights.
Contact us now to speak with a cruise ship burn 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.
