Louisiana Passenger Sues Carnival Cruises Over Shuttle Bus Slip and Fall at Mexican Port
On April 30, 2025, Louisiana resident Jeanne Dauterive filed a federal lawsuit against Carnival Corporation in the Southern District of Florida, alleging that she suffered serious injuries after slipping on a wet shuttle bus floor during a port call in Progreso, Mexico, while sailing aboard the Carnival Valor. The complaint accuses Carnival of direct and vicarious negligence, citing unsafe conditions, failure to warn, and the cruise line’s alleged failure to follow its own safety protocols.
Jeanne Dauterive Files Injury Suit After Shuttle Bus Fall While Disembarking in Progreso
According to the complaint, Dauterive and her husband disembarked the Carnival Valor on April 4, 2024, during a stop at the Port of Progreso, a location known for its unusually long pier extending over four miles. Walking the pier was allegedly prohibited, and no private transportation was available at the dock. Carnival employees on the gangway reportedly directed guests to the company’s complimentary shuttle buses, stating, “Carnival has buses here to take you into town.”
Dauterive boarded one such bus and was later injured while attempting to exit at a drop-off point in downtown Progreso. As she moved forward to tip the driver, Dauterive allegedly slipped on a “shiny and wet” floor near the front of the vehicle, an area she claims was dry when she initially boarded. The liquid had reportedly pooled and spread from the driver’s area during the 20-minute ride, creating a hazard not visible to passengers.
She sustained injuries to her left shoulder, thoracic and lumbar spine, and right hip/pelvis. After the fall, she was taken back to the ship’s infirmary and later required ongoing medical treatment.
Complaint Alleges Carnival Created and Failed to Remedy Hazardous Condition
Dauterive brings four counts against Carnival, including negligence, failure to warn, and vicarious liability. The complaint alleges that Carnival, through its onboard and onshore employees, created the hazardous condition by allowing a spilled or leaking liquid to remain on the shuttle bus floor for an extended period. It also accuses the company of failing to inspect the area, place warning signage, or provide adequate matting or grip material to mitigate the risk.
Critically, the suit references Carnival’s internal “Own the Spill” policy, which allegedly tasks all employees with addressing potential slip hazards immediately. Dauterive asserts that two Carnival employees, the driver and a uniformed guide, were present throughout the shuttle ride and failed to intervene or alert passengers to the growing hazard.
Under Yusko v. NCL (Bahamas) Ltd. and Elardi v. Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., the plaintiff argues that notice is not required where the hazardous condition was created by cruise personnel. That distinction may strengthen claims of vicarious liability and streamline the plaintiff’s burden at trial.
Legal and Industry Implications: Expanding Cruise Line Liability Beyond the Gangway
The Dauterive case highlights the growing legal scrutiny around cruise-sponsored ground transportation. Courts have increasingly held cruise lines accountable when they direct or control excursions, particularly when no safe or feasible alternative is offered. Here, Carnival is alleged to have organized, staffed, and operated the shuttle bus that caused the injury, effectively extending the cruise line’s duty of care beyond the ship.
This litigation also underscores the broader trend of passengers being injured during transitions between the ship and shore, an area where courts have historically imposed heightened duties on cruise operators. As lines market themselves as full-service vacation providers, their legal exposure may expand along with their logistical reach.
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