Kentucky Woman Sues Carnival Cruise Line After Tripping Over Raised Flooring Threshold on Carnival Sunshine
Darlene Bryant, a resident of Kentucky, has filed a maritime personal injury lawsuit against Carnival Corporation in the Southern District of Florida. The complaint, filed under Case No. 1:25-cv-25072-KMM, alleges that Bryant sustained a fractured arm and other injuries after tripping over an uneven flooring transition between carpet and tile near the elevator bay on Deck 7 of the Carnival Sunshine during her October 2024 voyage.
Carnival Passenger Claims Flooring Transition on Deck 7 of Carnival Sunshine Created Dangerous Tripping Hazard
According to the lawsuit, the incident occurred on October 8, 2024, as Bryant was walking in a general passenger walkway near the elevator area on Deck 7. She allegedly tripped on a raised and poorly maintained flooring threshold where the carpeted section transitioned into tile. The transition, the lawsuit claims, was not flush with the surrounding surfaces and created an abrupt change in elevation.
Bryant asserts that the flooring strip was either loose, uneven, or not properly affixed, forming a concealed hazard that could not be identified through ordinary observation. As a result of the fall, she suffered a fractured arm and other serious injuries.
Carnival Accused of Ignoring Industry Standards and Failing to Maintain Safe Walking Surfaces Aboard Cruise Ship
The complaint alleges that Carnival failed to comply with well-established safety standards related to flooring transitions and elevation changes. Specifically, the lawsuit cites:
- ASTM F1637-13, which requires elevation changes between ¼ inch and ½ inch to be beveled
- NFPA Life Safety Code, which restricts abrupt changes in elevation to no more than ¼ inch unless properly sloped
Bryant’s attorneys claim Carnival failed to follow these standards and neglected to inspect or maintain the walkway properly. The lawsuit argues that this failure constitutes a breach of Carnival’s duty to provide reasonably safe conditions for passengers aboard the Sunshine.
Lawsuit Highlights Prior Trip and Fall Incidents on Carnival Ships Due to Similar Flooring Defects
The complaint outlines more than a dozen prior lawsuits involving similar trip and fall incidents aboard various Carnival vessels. These include McDaniel v. Carnival Dream, Goodenough v. Carnival Spirit, and Benitez v. Carnival Glory, all involving raised or uneven flooring transitions that allegedly caused passenger injuries.
Notably, the lawsuit highlights multiple previous incidents aboard the Carnival Sunshine itself, including:
- Dunford v. Carnival Corp.: A fall on Deck 10 due to a raised threshold
- Tuite v. Carnival Corp.: A tripping incident caused by a floor elevation change near carpeting
- Foley v. Carnival Corp.: A trip on a threshold on the Lido Deck
Bryant’s legal team argues that these prior events placed Carnival on actual and constructive notice of the hazard, making the cruise line’s failure to address the problem especially egregious.
Complaint Alleges Negligent Maintenance and Failure to Warn About Concealed Tripping Danger on Sunshine
The lawsuit brings two counts of negligence against Carnival:
Count I – Negligent Maintenance: The cruise line allegedly failed to inspect, maintain, and repair the uneven flooring transition that caused the fall. The complaint states that the defect could have been discovered through reasonable inspection and that Carnival failed to take corrective measures despite knowing the risks.
Count II – Negligent Failure to Warn: Bryant also alleges Carnival did not post signage, cordon off the area, or otherwise warn passengers about the tripping hazard. The lawsuit argues that the flooring issue was not open and obvious, and that passengers like Bryant could not reasonably be expected to perceive the risk.
Plaintiff Seeks Damages for Fractured Arm, Medical Costs, and Loss of Enjoyment of Cruise
Bryant is seeking compensatory damages for her physical injuries, emotional distress, medical expenses, and loss of enjoyment of life. She claims the injuries are permanent or continuing in nature and that she will require ongoing medical care. The lawsuit also seeks damages for loss of earnings and diminished earning capacity due to the long-term impact of her injuries.
Bryant has requested a jury trial and is pursuing damages in excess of $75,000.
Hurt in a Trip and Fall on a Cruise Ship? Learn How an Uneven Walkway Can Lead to a Maritime Injury Claim
Trip and fall incidents caused by uneven flooring transitions, raised thresholds, or poor walkway maintenance are among the most common hazards aboard cruise ships. When cruise lines fail to fix these conditions or warn passengers, they may be held legally responsible under maritime law.
If you or a loved one were injured aboard a cruise ship due to unsafe flooring or other walkway hazards, contact a maritime attorney to discuss your legal options.
Contact us now to speak with a Florida cruise injury attorney today.
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.
