Louisiana Woman Sues Carnival Cruise Line After Tripping Over Obscured Sign Base in Lounge on Carnival Jubilee
Cynthia Kingsby, a resident of Louisiana, 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-24594-DPG, alleges that Kingsby suffered serious injuries after tripping over the base of a floor sign that was hidden behind a structural pole aboard the Carnival Jubilee while walking to dinner.
Passenger Trips Over Hidden Sign Base Near Lounge on Deck 5 of Carnival Jubilee
According to the complaint, the incident occurred on October 11, 2024, while Kingsby was aboard the Carnival Jubilee during a seven-night cruise. As she walked with family members through a lounge area on Deck 5 toward Guy’s Pig & Anchor Smokehouse Brewhouse, she passed between two couches and rounded a structural pole. Just beyond the pole, her path was obstructed by a sign mounted on a separate pole with a wide, slanted base that extended across the walkway.
Kingsby alleges that the base of the sign was completely obscured by the structural pole, making it a hidden tripping hazard. Without warning or visual cues to alert her, she tripped over the concealed base and fell forcefully onto the hard deck floor.
Carnival Accused of Creating Hidden Tripping Hazard and Failing to Warn Passengers
The lawsuit alleges that Carnival employees created the hazard by placing the sign in a pedestrian walkway without considering passenger visibility or safety. Kingsby’s attorneys argue that the wide, inclined base of the sign was placed in such a way that it was hidden from view and not reasonably detectable by guests walking through the area.
The complaint asserts that Carnival had both actual and constructive notice of the dangerous condition. It states that crew members created the hazard and that the sign remained in place long enough for Carnival to have discovered and corrected it—or at the very least, to warn passengers about the obstruction. Despite these opportunities, no signage, cones, or alternative placement was used to prevent the fall.
Lawsuit Alleges Negligent Maintenance and Unsafe Lounge Configuration on Carnival Jubilee
In addition to failure to warn, the complaint accuses Carnival of negligent maintenance. Kingsby claims the cruise line failed to inspect or monitor its lounge walkways to ensure they remained free of tripping hazards. The lawsuit argues that Carnival’s failure to maintain a safe environment contributed to an unsafe condition in a high-traffic area leading to a restaurant.
The suit further asserts that Carnival’s internal safety procedures were either insufficient or not followed, allowing an improperly placed sign to remain in a guest pathway without detection or correction.
Plaintiff Seeks Compensation for Wrist Fracture, Pain, and Permanent Injury
As a result of the fall, Kingsby allegedly sustained a comminuted fracture of her right wrist with displacement. She was treated at the ship’s medical center, where a cast was applied, and she received pain medication. The complaint claims the injury caused Kingsby to suffer pain and suffering, disability, disfigurement, mental anguish, and a loss of enjoyment of life. The lawsuit states that these injuries are permanent or continuing in nature.
Kingsby brings three counts against Carnival: vicarious liability for employee negligence, failure to warn of a known danger, and negligent maintenance of a hazardous condition in a common area. She is seeking damages in excess of $75,000.
Tripped Over a Hidden Hazard on a Cruise Ship? Maritime Law May Provide Relief
Cruise lines have a duty under maritime law to ensure common areas are free of hidden dangers and to warn passengers of hazards that are not open and obvious. When signs, equipment, or furniture are placed in walkways without visibility or caution indicators, passengers may suffer serious injuries. If you were hurt in a similar incident aboard a cruise ship, our team can help you understand your legal rights and options.
Contact our maritime injury attorneys today for a free consultation.
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.
