Georgia Family Sues MSC Cruises After Woman Drowns in Unguarded Pool Aboard MSC Seashore
The surviving family of Carrie Milam, a Georgia woman, has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against MSC Cruises S.A. following her tragic drowning aboard the MSC Seashore. The complaint, filed in the Southern District of Florida under Case No. 1:25-cv-25379, alleges that MSC negligently failed to staff its onboard pool with lifeguards and lacked an adequate emergency response plan. The incident occurred on May 30, 2025, while the ship was docked in Cozumel, Mexico.
Cruise Passenger Drowns in Unguarded Pool Aboard MSC Seashore While Ship Was Docked in Cozumel
According to the lawsuit, Carrie Milam entered a swimming pool aboard the MSC Seashore that was open and accessible to passengers. While in the pool, she lost consciousness and remained submerged for an extended period before another passenger discovered her. The complaint alleges that no lifeguards or safety personnel were present at the pool, which MSC operated despite being aware of the inherent risks.
Her husband, Scott Milam, and daughter, Caroline Tye, now bring this lawsuit both individually and on behalf of Carrie Milam’s estate. They claim that MSC’s decision to run a crowded pool without any supervision was below the standard of care widely followed across the cruise industry, where most major lines employ lifeguards to monitor pool activity.
Lawsuit Alleges MSC Lacked Emergency Response Plan and Abandoned Family After Incident
In addition to the alleged lack of lifeguards, the lawsuit accuses MSC of failing to implement any emergency identification or drowning response plan. Carrie Milam’s condition reportedly worsened due to delays in recognizing her distress and rendering aid. Once she was pulled from the pool, the lawsuit claims MSC staff failed to perform proper CPR or resuscitative care and did not have adequately trained personnel available to respond to the drowning.
Adding to the tragedy, the lawsuit asserts that MSC abruptly removed the Milam family from the ship, forcing them to disembark in Cozumel without assistance, guidance, or support as Carrie’s condition deteriorated. The cruise ship departed shortly after, allegedly abandoning Scott Milam and his wife—who was still in critical condition—in a foreign country with no support navigating emergency medical services.
Multiple Claims Brought for Negligence, Premises Liability, and Emotional Distress
The family brings three causes of action against MSC Cruises:
- Wrongful Death – Negligence and Gross Negligence: The complaint accuses MSC of failing to provide a safe swimming area, failing to staff lifeguards, and neglecting to train staff to respond to emergencies.
- Wrongful Death – Premises Liability: MSC is alleged to have knowingly maintained a dangerous pool area without adequate warnings or safety measures, making it unreasonably dangerous for passengers.
- Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress: The family claims MSC’s post-incident conduct—including forcing the Milams off the ship and abandoning them in Mexico—was extreme, outrageous, and intended to cause or recklessly disregarded the likelihood of causing severe emotional distress.
The complaint outlines a range of alleged MSC failures, from the absence of lifeguards to the lack of signage warning about the dangers of unsupervised swimming. It also emphasizes that MSC had prior knowledge of the risks posed by pool use without supervision and failed to adopt practices that other cruise lines have already implemented as standard procedure.
Family Seeks Damages for Pain, Emotional Distress, and Wrongful Death of Carrie Milam
Scott Milam and Caroline Tye are seeking damages for both pre-death suffering and post-death losses. Requested damages include:
- Pain and suffering endured by Carrie Milam prior to her death
- Emotional distress suffered by surviving family members
- Loss of society, support, and companionship
- Medical and funeral expenses
- Punitive damages for MSC’s alleged willful and wanton misconduct
The family has demanded a jury trial and intends to pursue both wrongful death and survival claims on behalf of the estate and surviving next of kin.
Contact a Cruise Ship Wrongful Death Attorney if You Lost a Loved One Due to Negligent Safety Practices
The heartbreaking loss of a loved one on a cruise ship—especially when tied to preventable safety failures—may be grounds for a wrongful death lawsuit under maritime law. Cruise lines have a legal obligation to protect passengers through reasonable safety measures, including pool supervision and emergency preparedness.
If you or a family member has suffered a similar tragedy aboard a cruise, our experienced maritime attorneys can help you explore your legal options.
Contact us now for a confidential consultation with a cruise ship wrongful death lawyer.
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.
