Massachusetts Resident Sues Norwegian Cruise Line After Serious Fall on Epic Theater Steps Aboard Norwegian Epic
Douglas Haley, a resident of Massachusetts, has initiated a maritime personal injury lawsuit against NCL (Bahamas) Ltd. in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida. The legal action, filed under Case No. 1:26-cv-22003-KMM, alleges that Haley sustained severe and permanent physical injuries after tripping on a set of dangerous stairs within the ship’s primary performance venue. The incident occurred on February 25, 2025, while the Norwegian Epic was in the midst of a scheduled voyage.
Cruise Passenger Injured on Norwegian Epic Theater Stairs Due to Lack of Handrails and Poor Lighting
The complaint states that the incident took place during the evening as Haley was walking into the Epic Theater on Deck 6 to attend a performance. To reach his seat, Haley had to navigate a set of steps that the lawsuit describes as nonstandard and inherently hazardous. These stairs were allegedly equipped with slippery metal treads but completely lacked handrails or any other form of support for passengers. Furthermore, the theater was dimly lit in preparation for the show, and the stairs themselves were not sufficiently illuminated to reveal the changes in elevation. Haley asserts that he tripped on the asymmetric steps and, because there was no handrail to grab, fell with significant force onto his right arm. Multiple passengers nearby reportedly witnessed the fall and heard the sound of the bone breaking.
Norwegian Cruise Line Accused of Failing to Warn Passengers of Known Tripping Hazards in Ship Theaters
The lawsuit alleges that NCL had both actual and constructive knowledge of the dangerous nature of these theater steps but failed to provide any warnings to its guests. Haley’s legal team argues that the cruise line was well aware of the risk because it maintains databases of prior passenger complaints and trip and fall incidents. The complaint points to a history of similar accidents involving the same or substantially similar theater steps across the NCL fleet. Specifically, the filing cites previous litigation involving falls on the Norwegian Epic, the Norwegian Sun, the Norwegian Jewel, and the Norwegian Star. The plaintiff contends that despite these recurring injuries, NCL failed to post caution signs, neglected to station crew members at the stairs to assist passengers, and did not utilize adequate lighting to mitigate the known hazard.
Complaint Alleges Negligent Design and Maintenance of Asymmetric Theater Steps Across NCL Fleet
In addition to the failure to warn, the complaint focuses on the structural and design choices made by the cruise line. Haley alleges that NCL participated in and approved the design and construction of the Norwegian Epic, including the specific configuration of the theater steps. The lawsuit claims the steps were designed in a non-standard, asymmetric fashion with metal treads that increase the risk of a fall. It further argues that the permanent absence of handrails is a structural defect that violates maritime safety standards and industry guidelines set forth by organizations such as the International Maritime Organization and the American Society for Testing and Materials. Because these steps are a permanent fixture of the ship’s architecture, the plaintiff asserts that the dangerous condition has existed since the vessel was first put into service.
Plaintiff Seeks Compensation for Permanent Bone Fracture and Emergency Medical Evacuation Expenses
Haley brings four counts against the defendant: negligent failure to warn, negligent maintenance, general negligence, and negligent design and construction. As a result of the fall, Haley suffered a displaced fracture of his right ulna which required an open reduction internal fixation surgery. The lawsuit seeks damages for past and future medical expenses, lost income, and permanent physical impairment. Additionally, the incident forced Haley and his wife to disembark the ship early in Tortola, British Virgin Islands. They were reportedly forced to leave their luggage behind and coordinate emergency ferry and air transportation back to Florida at their own expense. Haley is seeking recovery for these out-of-pocket costs as well as the lost value of the cruise vacation.
Contact a Cruise Ship Theater Slip and Fall Lawyer Today if You Were Injured on a Vessel
Passengers who suffer injuries due to poorly maintained stairs, lack of handrails, or inadequate lighting in cruise ship theaters may be eligible for financial compensation under maritime law. Cruise operators are legally required to maintain their vessels in a reasonably safe condition and must warn passengers of any hidden dangers that are not open and obvious. If you or a loved one experienced a serious fall or injury while on a cruise, contacting an experienced maritime attorney can help you navigate the complexities of filing a claim against a major cruise line.
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.
