Maryland Man Sues Blue Haven Resort in Florida After Jet Ski–Towed Inflatable Crash in Turks & Caicos Lagoon
Parham Farid, a Maryland resident, has filed a negligence lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida after being injured during a jet ski–towed inflatable couch ride at Blue Haven Resort & Marina in Turks & Caicos. The case, originally filed in Broward County Circuit Court under Case No. CACE-25-004832 and later removed to federal court as Case No. 0:25-cv-61597, names Blue Haven, Turks and Caicos Collection, Ultimate Resort Vacations, Waterloo Investment Holdings Ltd., and other unidentified parties as defendants.
Florida Maritime Law Principles Applied to Resort Excursion Injury Lawsuit
Although the incident took place at a Caribbean resort rather than aboard a cruise ship, the allegations mirror those seen in cruise-sponsored shore excursion injury claims. The complaint alleges that the resort marketed and booked the excursion through a Florida-based corporate entity without disclosing that the activity may have been operated by an independent third party. This approach, common in cruise line excursion cases, allows plaintiffs to use Florida’s long-arm jurisdiction to bring foreign accident claims into U.S. courts.
The plaintiff argues that Blue Haven and its affiliated companies promoted the ride, handled booking through guest services, and failed to provide safety warnings or operator vetting, despite knowing the risks of high-speed watercraft-towed inflatables.
Guest Injured When Inflatable Collided with Marker Pole in Lagoon
According to the lawsuit, on April 13, 2023, Farid and his children booked the inflatable couch ride through the resort’s guest services. The ride, towed by a jet ski, was advertised as an additional-fee activity for resort guests. The plaintiff claims no warnings were given about hazards, weather, or the possibility of independent operation.
During the excursion, the jet ski operator allegedly drove at an unsafe speed and steered toward a lone marker pole in the lagoon. The inflatable struck the pole, ejecting Farid and causing him to suffer severe injuries, including a fractured ankle requiring surgery.
Plaintiff Claims Multiple Acts of Negligence by Resort and Affiliates
Farid’s complaint accuses all defendants of negligence, including:
- Failing to provide a safe excursion environment
- Negligent supervision, inspection, and monitoring of operations
- Failing to train or oversee jet ski operators
- Failing to warn of known hazards associated with the activity
- Selecting and retaining unfit excursion operators
- Allowing unsafe excursion route design
- Failing to implement and enforce safety policies
The plaintiff seeks damages for pain and suffering, emotional distress, disability, disfigurement, loss of enjoyment of life, aggravation of prior injuries, medical expenses, and lost earning capacity.
Broader Implications for Cruise and Resort Travelers
This lawsuit highlights that shore excursion liability is not limited to cruise ship passengers. Resorts and cruise lines alike often rely on independent vendors to provide excursions while promoting them as safe, curated experiences. In both contexts, guests may find operators and venue owners disputing responsibility when accidents occur.
When a U.S.-based booking or marketing company is involved, Florida courts — especially the Southern District of Florida — frequently become the forum for litigating these overseas injury cases under maritime and premises liability principles.
Contact a Shore Excursion Injury Attorney for Help After a Resort or Cruise Accident
Travelers injured during resort or cruise-sponsored excursions, whether on land or in coastal waters, may have legal options under Florida and maritime law. These cases often hinge on the marketing relationship between the excursion operator and the booking entity, as well as the duty to warn of known hazards.
Contact us now to speak with a Florida shore excursion injury lawyer about your potential claim.
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.
