Mexico Woman Sues MSC Cruises After Child Suffers Serious Dental Injuries in Kids Pool Aboard MSC Seascape
Marcela Saldan, a resident of Mexico, has filed a maritime personal injury lawsuit against MSC Cruises, S.A. in the Southern District of Florida. The lawsuit, filed under Case No. 0:25-cv-62550-MD, alleges that her nine year old daughter suffered severe and permanent dental injuries after striking a hidden metal structure while swimming in a children’s pool aboard the MSC Seascape during an August 2025 cruise.
Child Injured While Swimming in MSC Seascape Kids Pool Due to Submerged Metal Obstruction
According to the complaint, the incident occurred on August 14, 2025, while the minor child was lawfully using the designated Kids Pool on Deck 18 of the MSC Seascape. At approximately 3:30 p.m., the child was swimming underwater in the pool when she struck her face against a submerged brown metal tube located inside the pool basin. The lawsuit alleges that the metal tube was positioned directly within the normal swim path of children and was difficult to see while underwater.
The complaint describes the metal structure as a hard, unpadded obstruction that served no obvious safety or recreational purpose. Because it was submerged, lacked contrasting markings, and blended into the pool environment, the object allegedly created a hidden hazard for children who were swimming and diving in the pool as intended.
MSC Accused of Dangerous Pool Design and Failure to Protect Children From Hidden Hazards
Saldan alleges that MSC failed to exercise reasonable care in the design, configuration, and maintenance of the children’s pool area. The lawsuit claims that MSC either designed or approved the placement of the metal tube within the pool and failed to remove it, pad it, or otherwise guard against the risk of impact injuries.
In addition to alleging negligent design, the complaint asserts that MSC failed to properly inspect the pool area, failed to warn passengers of the submerged hazard, and failed to adequately supervise or monitor the children’s swimming area. The lawsuit points out that MSC crew members regularly clean and inspect the pool and therefore knew or should have known that a hard metal object was located in an area where children were expected to swim underwater.
Lawsuit Highlights MSC’s Claimed Safety Standards and Alleged Failure to Identify Pool Risks
The complaint references MSC’s public statements regarding its maritime expertise, safety priorities, and ship design processes. MSC promotes its vessels as being developed with comprehensive safety planning and risk based thinking, including adherence to international quality management standards such as ISO 9001. According to the lawsuit, these safety systems are designed to identify and mitigate foreseeable hazards before passengers are injured.
Despite these representations, Saldan alleges that MSC failed to recognize the obvious risk posed by placing a rigid metal structure inside a children’s pool. The lawsuit argues that the danger of a child striking a hard object while swimming underwater is entirely foreseeable and should have been identified and corrected through routine safety assessments.
Plaintiff Seeks Damages for Permanent Dental Injuries and Future Medical Care
As a result of the impact, the minor child allegedly suffered fractures to her two permanent upper front teeth. The complaint states that these injuries caused significant pain, disfigurement, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. The lawsuit further alleges that the child will require ongoing and future dental treatment, including reconstruction and long term care, due to the permanent nature of the injuries.
Saldan brings a negligence claim against MSC Cruises, alleging failure to design, maintain, inspect, warn, and supervise the children’s pool area. She seeks compensatory damages for her child’s injuries, past and future medical and dental expenses, and other damages allowed under maritime law.
Contact a Cruise Ship Pool Injury Lawyer if Your Child Was Hurt Aboard a Cruise Vessel
Children injured in cruise ship pools due to hidden hazards, unsafe design, or lack of proper supervision may have legal rights under maritime law. Cruise lines have a duty to ensure that children’s play and swimming areas are reasonably safe and free from dangerous conditions that are not open and obvious. If your child was injured in a cruise ship pool or water feature due to submerged objects or unsafe conditions, an experienced cruise ship injury lawyer can help you evaluate your legal options.
Contact us now to speak with a cruise ship injury lawyer.
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.
