Georgia Passenger Sues Carnival Cruise Line After Being Ejected From Wheelchair While Debarking Carnival Magic
Lita Clunis, a resident of Georgia, has filed a significant maritime personal injury lawsuit against Carnival Corporation in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida. The civil action, identified as Case No. 1:26-cv-20321, alleges that Clunis sustained severe and permanent injuries during the debarkation process aboard the Carnival Magic on November 30, 2024. The complaint asserts that negligence on the part of the cruise line and its crew members resulted in the plaintiff being ejected from her wheelchair while navigating a hazardous gangway.
Carnival Magic Passenger Allegedly Ejected From Wheelchair Due to Uneven Gangway and Crew Negligence During Debarkation
According to the detailed allegations within the complaint, the incident took place as the cruise concluded and passengers were leaving the vessel. Clunis, who required mobility assistance, was being transported off the ship in a wheelchair pushed by a Carnival crew member. The lawsuit states that Carnival specifically offers wheelchair assistance for embarkation and debarkation, a service the plaintiff utilized. As the crew member navigated the wheelchair down the gangway, they allegedly approached a bend that transitioned to another section of the ramp. The filing claims that the connection point between these gangway sections was uneven and misleveled. When the wheelchair reached this transition, the wheels reportedly caught on the uneven surface. The complaint describes how the crew member forcefully attempted to push the wheelchair over the defect rather than maneuvering safely, causing him to lose control. Consequently, Clunis was ejected from the wheelchair and landed hard on her knees. The plaintiff contends that because she was seated, she could not see the hazard ahead, and the crew member failed to exercise the necessary caution required for transporting a passenger with limited mobility.
Lawsuit Claims Carnival Had Knowledge of Dangerous Gangway Conditions Citing Multiple Prior Wheelchair Accidents
A central element of the lawsuit is the allegation that Carnival Corporation possessed actual or constructive knowledge of the dangers posed by its gangways to passengers using mobility devices. To support this claim, the plaintiff’s legal counsel references a series of prior lawsuits filed against Carnival in the Southern District of Florida involving similar circumstances. The complaint cites specific cases, including Murray v. Carnival Corp., McCoy v. Carnival Corp., Harris v. Carnival Corp., Hudson v. Carnival Corp., and Anchrum v. Carnival Corp.. These past incidents, ranging from 2018 through late 2024, reportedly involved passengers being ejected from wheelchairs due to uneven ramps or mishandling by crew members. The filing argues that these recurring events demonstrate a pattern of negligence and an awareness of the specific risks associated with debarking passengers in wheelchairs. Despite this alleged history, Clunis claims the cruise line failed to implement necessary safety measures, such as maintaining level surfaces or ensuring crew members were adequately trained to handle wheelchairs on inclined gangways.
Complaint Alleges Inexperienced Crew Member Mishandled Wheelchair Assistance Leading to Severe Passenger Injuries
The lawsuit further alleges operational negligence regarding the specific assistance provided to the plaintiff. Clunis asserts that Carnival failed to ensure the crew member assigned to her was experienced or capable of safely pushing a wheelchair down a gangway. The complaint details that the crew member appeared inexperienced, struggling to maneuver around corners and bumping the plaintiff into obstacles even before reaching the gangway. The plaintiff argues that Carnival breached its duty of reasonable care by assigning personnel who lacked the ability to perform this safety-critical task. As a direct result of the fall, Clunis alleges she suffered a tear to her left meniscus requiring surgical repair, as well as injuries to her right hip, shoulder, and cervical spine. The complaint states that these injuries have resulted in physical pain, mental anguish, disfigurement, disability, and a loss of income and future earning capacity.
Plaintiff Seeks Damages for Negligent Maintenance and Failure to Warn of Hazardous Disembarkation Conditions
Clunis is pursuing five counts of negligence against the cruise line, including negligent inspection and maintenance of the gangway, negligent failure to warn, operational negligence regarding the duty of aid and assistance, and vicarious liability for the actions of the crew. The lawsuit contends that the dangerous condition of the gangway was not open or obvious to a passenger seated in a wheelchair who has no control over their movement. It is alleged that Carnival failed to warn passengers of the steep, uneven, or misleveled nature of the ramp and failed to cordon off dangerous areas or provide alternative safe routes. The plaintiff seeks compensatory damages in excess of the jurisdictional minimum, requesting a jury trial to address the medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering resulting from the incident. The suit underscores the non-delegable duty of the cruise line to provide reasonable care and assistance to passengers with special needs during the vulnerable process of disembarking the vessel.
Contact a Cruise Ship Gangway Injury Lawyer Today if You Were Hurt Boarding a Vessel in Unsafe Conditions
Passengers who suffer injuries while embarking or disembarking cruise ships due to negligence, unsafe gangways, or improper assistance may have grounds for legal action under maritime law. Cruise lines bear a responsibility to maintain safe walkways and provide competent assistance to travelers with mobility limitations. If you or a loved one has suffered a serious injury such as a fracture, ligament tear, or head trauma during a cruise ship boarding or debarkation accident, it is vital to consult with a legal professional who understands the complexities of maritime injury claims. Our experienced attorneys are ready to evaluate your case and help you seek the compensation you deserve.
Contact us now to speak with a cruise ship slip and fall 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.
