Israeli Passenger Sues Virgin Voyages After Tripping on Concealed Elevation Change in Embarkation Terminal for Scarlet Lady
Sarah Malki, a resident of Israel, has filed a maritime personal injury lawsuit against Virgin Cruises Intermediate Limited, Inc. in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida. The lawsuit alleges Malki suffered severe injuries after tripping on a concealed change in floor elevation in the embarkation terminal at the Port of Piraeus, Greece, before boarding the Scarlet Lady on October 24, 2024.
Passenger Claims Hidden Tripping Hazard in Terminal Was Controlled by Virgin Employees
According to the complaint, Virgin Cruises required passengers to pass through various embarkation areas staffed and controlled by its employees, including check-in, security screening, and the terminal directly connecting to the vessel. Malki alleges she encountered a concealed, non-obvious change in floor elevation in the embarkation terminal, which was partially hidden by a rug, causing her to trip and fall.
The filing states that Virgin employees were stationed near the hazard but failed to give verbal warnings or guidance, post cautionary signage, or remove the concealment. Malki contends the hazard was not open or obvious, and she had no way of knowing the risk.
Virgin Accused of Negligence in Warning, Maintenance, and Passenger Safety Procedures
Malki’s lawsuit alleges Virgin had both actual and constructive knowledge of the dangerous condition through crew inspections, monitoring, and prior incidents. She claims the cruise line breached its non-delegable duty to provide safe ingress and egress, including warning of known dangers in areas passengers were invited to traverse.
The complaint also alleges failures in maintenance and safety protocols, including not identifying or correcting the tripping hazard, inadequate monitoring of the embarkation route, and not implementing measures such as mats or bridging mechanisms to address elevation changes in high-traffic areas.
Three Negligence Counts Asserted Under Maritime Law
The complaint brings three counts against Virgin Cruises: negligent failure to warn, general negligence, and negligent failure to maintain. Each claim asserts that Virgin’s operational control over the embarkation area and its employees’ proximity to the hazard imposed a duty to detect, correct, or warn passengers about the unsafe condition. Malki argues that Virgin’s failure to do so directly caused her injuries.
Plaintiff Seeks Damages for Permanent Injuries, Medical Costs, and Loss of Enjoyment of Life
Malki alleges she suffered permanent bodily injuries, pain and suffering, disability, disfigurement, mental anguish, medical expenses, lost wages, and diminished earning capacity. She is seeking a jury trial and an award of damages exceeding $75,000, exclusive of interest and costs.
Contact a Cruise Ship Embarkation Injury Lawyer if You Were Hurt in a Port Terminal
Cruise lines have a legal obligation to ensure safe embarkation and disembarkation routes, including port terminals under their control. Hazards such as concealed elevation changes or tripping hazards can cause serious injuries when not properly addressed or warned against. If you have been injured in a similar incident, our maritime injury attorneys can help you understand your legal rights and pursue compensation.
Contact us now to speak with a cruise ship embarkation 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.
