Georgia Woman Sues Carnival Cruise Line After Fall on Dimly Lit Stairs in Comedy Lounge Aboard Carnival Sunrise
Tiffanii Hawkins, a resident of Georgia, has filed a maritime personal injury lawsuit against Carnival Corporation in the Southern District of Florida. The lawsuit, filed under Case No. 1:25-cv-25617-KMW, alleges that Hawkins suffered severe injuries after falling on stairs inside a dimly lit comedy venue aboard the Carnival Sunrise on December 14, 2024.
Passenger Falls on Comedy Lounge Steps During Rough Seas Aboard Carnival Sunrise Due to Poor Warnings and Lighting
According to the complaint, the incident occurred as Hawkins was returning to her seat after using the restroom during a comedy show in the ship’s Comedy Lounge. The venue’s lights had been dimmed for the performance, and Hawkins alleges that while descending a small set of stairs, the ship suddenly lurched due to rough sea conditions. Despite holding onto the handrails and walking carefully, she lost her balance and fell, hearing a pop in her left knee and experiencing immediate and intense pain.
The lawsuit asserts that Carnival failed to warn passengers of the expected rough weather and failed to post signage, make announcements, or assign crew to assist guests navigating steps in high-risk areas like the Comedy Lounge. Only after the fall did the cruise line allegedly make a public announcement warning of rough conditions, which later forced the cancellation of the ship’s scheduled stop in Nassau, Bahamas.
Carnival Cruise Line Accused of Failing to Warn, Train Crew, and Assist Passengers in High-Risk Public Areas During Rough Weather
Hawkins alleges that Carnival had both actual and constructive knowledge of the risks posed by sudden vessel movement during rough seas—particularly in areas with staircases, dim lighting, and dense seating. The complaint highlights Carnival’s longstanding awareness of these risks through prior incidents, internal policies, and passenger safety training materials.
The lawsuit points to similar incidents involving passenger injuries aboard other Carnival ships during rough conditions, such as Maxwell v. Carnival Corporation (Carnival Valor, 2022) and Edwards/Hill v. Carnival Corporation (Carnival Glory, 2019), arguing these cases demonstrate Carnival’s prior knowledge of the dangers associated with ship movement during inclement weather.
Despite having weather data and onboard monitoring systems, Hawkins claims Carnival failed to implement basic safety measures such as verbal warnings, visible signage, and crew assistance in known risk zones like stairwells. The lawsuit alleges that Carnival’s internal safety protocols require such interventions but were not followed in this case.
Lawsuit Alleges Negligent Design of Carnival Sunrise Stairways Contributed to Fall in Dimly Lit Comedy Venue
In addition to operational negligence, Hawkins also accuses Carnival of poor design and maintenance of the Comedy Lounge’s stairways. The lawsuit alleges that the stairs lacked adequate anti-slip features, continuous graspable handrails, and high-contrast nosing—all of which are necessary for safe navigation during performances and in rough sea conditions.
According to the complaint, Carnival directly controlled the design and construction of the Carnival Sunrise and had the authority to inspect and reject unsafe design choices. Hawkins argues that the design of the stairway did not meet industry safety standards for passenger vessels operating under predictable weather-related motion.
Injured Passenger Undergoes Knee Surgery and Ongoing Therapy After Alleged Carnival Negligence
Following her fall, Hawkins was treated in the ship’s infirmary and told she had only sprained her knee. However, once she returned home, she was diagnosed with a torn patellar tendon requiring urgent surgical repair. Orthopedic surgeon Dr. Craig Cameron performed the procedure on December 23, 2024, just days after the cruise ended. Hawkins continues to undergo extensive physical therapy and alleges that the misdiagnosis and delayed care aboard the ship further worsened her condition.
She claims her injuries are permanent and have significantly impacted her mobility and quality of life. The complaint seeks compensation for past and future medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and the diminished value of the cruise.
Carnival Faces Claims of Negligent Maintenance, Design, Warning, and Training After Cruise Lounge Fall
Hawkins brings six counts of negligence against Carnival, including negligent failure to warn, failure to maintain safe conditions, failure to train crew, and negligent design and construction of the Comedy Lounge stairway. The suit seeks damages under general maritime law for economic and non-economic losses.
The case underscores the importance of cruise lines taking proactive safety measures when navigating rough seas, especially in public venues with known fall hazards.
Contact a Cruise Ship Stairway Fall Lawyer if You Were Hurt During Rough Seas on a Carnival Cruise
Cruise lines have a legal duty to protect passengers from foreseeable harm, including injuries caused by rough sea movement, poor lighting, and unsafe stairways. If you or a loved one suffered a fall or other injury while navigating stairs or walkways aboard a cruise ship, you may be entitled to compensation. Our maritime injury lawyers can help you understand your rights and explore your legal options.
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.
