Louisiana Passenger Sues Carnival After Tripping Over Protruding Chair on Crowded Lido Deck Aboard Carnival Spirit
Margaret McMurray, a resident of Louisiana, 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-24515-FAM, alleges that McMurray was seriously injured on October 9, 2024, after tripping over a chair that had been improperly positioned in a crowded walkway near the Lido Deck buffet area aboard the Carnival Spirit.
Passenger Injured in Overcrowded Walkway After Tripping Over Misplaced Chair During Embarkation on Carnival Spirit
According to the complaint, McMurray had just boarded the Carnival Spirit and was navigating Deck 9 when she tripped on a lounge chair that extended into the pedestrian pathway. The incident occurred during the embarkation process, when many passengers were concentrated on the Lido Deck due to limited access to other areas of the ship. McMurray alleges that the improperly placed chair was not open and obvious, and that no warnings, signage, or crew direction were provided to alert her to the hazard.
The lawsuit states that the Lido Deck was especially congested at the time, with passengers carrying luggage and maneuvering through tight spaces. The chair allegedly blended into its surroundings and created a foreseeable risk of injury, particularly in an environment where Carnival had directed high volumes of foot traffic.
Carnival Accused of Failing to Prevent or Warn of Tripping Hazard in High-Traffic Area of Carnival Spirit
McMurray brings multiple negligence claims against Carnival, asserting that the cruise line failed to properly monitor, inspect, or warn about a known dangerous condition. The complaint alleges that Carnival crew members routinely conduct walk-throughs of guest-accessible areas, particularly during embarkation, and should have observed and removed the protruding chair.
The lawsuit also claims Carnival created the hazardous environment by funneling newly boarding passengers to the Lido Deck while other sections of the vessel remained closed. This crowd management decision allegedly compounded the risk of injury by contributing to the congestion and reducing passengers’ ability to safely navigate walkways.
McMurray argues that the cruise line’s employees had both actual and constructive knowledge of the hazard and failed to take appropriate action to prevent the incident.
Complaint Cites Prior Cruise Ship Lawsuits Involving Chair and Walkway Hazards in Crowded Conditions
To support her claims, McMurray references several earlier cases filed in the Southern District of Florida that involved similar allegations. These include:
- D’Ambra v. Carnival Corporation, in which a passenger on the Carnival Dream tripped on a misaligned chair during embarkation in February 2024.
- Hudson v. Carnival Corporation, where an overcrowded luggage area led to a trip and fall on the Carnival Vista in September 2022.
- Ramirez v. Carnival Corporation, involving a fall on a congested declining walkway on the Carnival Horizon in 2021.
These cases are offered as evidence that Carnival was on notice of the risks posed by crowding, furniture misplacement, and high-traffic zones on embarkation days. McMurray’s complaint alleges that despite this history, Carnival failed to implement safer layouts, improve furniture placement protocols, or restrict access to congested walkways.
Lawsuit Alleges Negligent Design of Walkway and Furniture Layout in Lido Deck Buffet Area
In addition to failure to warn and maintain, McMurray asserts a negligent design claim against Carnival. She argues that the layout of the buffet walkway on Deck 9, including the use of movable chairs in tight pedestrian areas, lacked adequate safeguards. The complaint contends that Carnival failed to implement fixed seating, physical barriers, visual guides, or other design features that would prevent chairs from protruding into passenger paths.
McMurray alleges that Carnival directly participated in the interior design decisions for the Carnival Spirit, including the arrangement and maintenance policies for furniture. The lawsuit asserts that the cruise line failed to account for high foot traffic and foreseeable congestion in the area during key times such as embarkation.
Plaintiff Seeks Damages for Permanent Injuries, Medical Costs, and Loss of Cruise Value
McMurray claims that as a result of her fall, she suffered serious and permanent injuries to her body and extremities, as well as emotional distress, disfigurement, and impairment of her ability to work. She seeks compensation for medical expenses, physical pain, mental anguish, and the lost value of her vacation. The complaint states that her injuries are permanent or continuing in nature and will require ongoing care.
The lawsuit brings four counts against Carnival: negligent failure to warn, negligent maintenance, negligent design, and general negligence.
Injured on a Cruise Ship Due to Unsafe Walkway Conditions or Poor Furniture Placement? Speak With a Maritime Injury Attorney Today
Cruise lines have a legal obligation to maintain safe walkways and guest areas, especially in high-traffic locations like pool decks and buffets. If you or a loved one were injured due to a tripping hazard caused by misplaced furniture, overcrowding, or poor design on a cruise ship, you may have a right to compensation under maritime law.
Reach out to our experienced legal team to discuss your rights. Contact us at https://holzberglegal.com/contact-us/ to speak with a cruise ship 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.
