Maryland Woman Sues Carnival Cruise Line Following Serious Fall on Spiral Staircase Aboard Carnival Pride
Caprice McLaughlin, a resident of Towson, Maryland, has filed a maritime personal injury lawsuit against Carnival Corporation in the Southern District of Florida. The complaint, filed under Case No. 1:26-cv-21504-KMW, alleges that McLaughlin suffered significant and permanent injuries after falling on a dangerous spiral staircase while sailing aboard the CCL Pride on April 12, 2025.
Cruise Passenger Injured on Carnival Pride Spiral Staircase Due to Narrow Treads and Protruding Lighting Strips
The incident occurred on the final night of the cruise as McLaughlin was descending a spiral staircase on Deck 2. According to the lawsuit, she was heading to guest services to check her account balance when she encountered a hazardous stair design. The treads of the spiral staircase were reportedly wider on the outside and became dangerously narrow on the inside. As McLaughlin attempted to navigate the right side of the stairs to stay with the flow of traffic, the narrowing treads forced her toward the center where she stepped on a protruding wood and plastic nosing and a lighting strip at the edge of the fifth step. This caused her to lose her footing, slam into the banister, and fall down the remaining steps. The complaint notes that McLaughlin had not used this specific staircase previously during her voyage.
Carnival Accused of Actual and Constructive Knowledge of Dangerous Stairwell Conditions Following Prior Incidents
The lawsuit asserts that Carnival had both actual and constructive notice of the risks posed by this particular staircase. Immediately following the fall, a Carnival employee allegedly told McLaughlin that he personally avoids those specific steps because they are dangerous. Furthermore, the legal team for the plaintiff highlights eleven prior lawsuits filed in the Southern District of Florida involving similar stair nosing accidents across various Carnival vessels, including the Carnival Ecstasy, Horizon, Legend, and Vista. These cases, such as Bollinger v. Carnival and Kindel v. Carnival, are cited as evidence that the cruise line was well aware of the tripping hazards created by protruding metal or wood nosing on its fleet’s stairways. Additionally, the complaint points to scuff marks on the wood nosing of the stairs as proof that the dangerous condition had existed for a substantial amount of time.
Complaint Alleges Negligent Staircase Design and Failure to Follow Maritime Industry Safety Standards
In addition to maintenance failures, McLaughlin alleges that the staircase was improperly designed and failed to meet international safety requirements. The complaint argues that Carnival actively participated in the design and construction of the vessel and prioritized the aesthetic appearance of the spiral staircase over passenger safety. Specifically, the lawsuit claims the stairs lacked sufficient anti-slip tread and featured a guardrail that did not allow for a proper circular grip. The plaintiff also alleges that the staircase violated Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) standards, which require that stair nosings be kept to minimum dimensions to reduce tripping risks. The complaint contends that Carnival failed to provide any verbal or written warnings to passengers regarding the hidden risk of the narrowing “run” of the steps or the slippery nature of the plastic and wooden edges.
Plaintiff Seeks Damages for Surgery and Permanent Injuries Resulting from Carnival Cruise Negligence
McLaughlin brings three counts of negligence against Carnival: negligent failure to maintain, failure to warn, and negligent design. As a result of the fall, she claims to have sustained serious injuries to her left shoulder, ankle, and face, requiring medical treatment, surgical intervention, and ongoing physical therapy. The lawsuit seeks compensation for past and future medical expenses, hospitalizations, pain and suffering, mental anguish, disability, and loss of earning capacity. The plaintiff asserts that Carnival breached its non-delegable duty to exercise reasonable care under the circumstances, leading to a permanent loss of her quality of life and the aggravation of any pre-existing conditions.
Contact a Cruise Ship Staircase Injury Lawyer Today if You Were Hurt on a Vessel Due to Unsafe Design
Cruise passengers who suffer injuries due to poorly designed stairways, slippery nosing, or inadequate handrails may be eligible for financial compensation under maritime law. Cruise operators like Carnival are legally required to maintain their vessels in a reasonably safe condition and must warn travelers of any hidden hazards that could cause a fall. If you or a loved one experienced a similar accident while on a cruise vacation, our team of experienced maritime injury attorneys is available to discuss your case and help you pursue the justice you deserve.
Contact us now to speak with a cruise ship slip and fall attorney.
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.
