Michigan Passenger Sues Carnival Cruise Line After Trip and Fall on Broken Tile Aboard Carnival Liberty
Melonie Stephenson, a resident of Michigan, has filed a maritime personal injury lawsuit against Carnival Corporation in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida. The civil complaint, filed under Case No. 1:26-cv-20322, alleges that Stephenson sustained a severe ankle fracture after tripping on a hazardous section of flooring while walking through a high-traffic interior area of the Carnival Liberty on February 2, 2025.
Cruise Passenger Suffers Ankle Fracture Due to Loose and Uneven Flooring on Deck 5 Walkway
According to the legal filing, the incident occurred while Stephenson was a fare-paying passenger aboard the Carnival Liberty. The complaint states that while walking on the interior walkway of Deck 5 near the vessel’s shops, the plaintiff encountered a dangerous condition consisting of a loose, broken, and uneven tile. The lawsuit asserts that this tripping hazard was not open or obvious to reasonable passengers because the defective tile was not visually conspicuous and did not contrast with the surrounding flooring. As a direct result of the fall, Stephenson reportedly suffered a left trimalleolar ankle fracture which required surgical repair. The plaintiff claims that the walkway where the injury occurred is a high-traffic area regularly traversed by large numbers of passengers and crew members.
Lawsuit Alleges Carnival Had Constructive Notice of Hazardous Flooring Defects Across Fleet
The lawsuit argues that Carnival Corporation had actual or constructive notice of the dangerous condition on the Carnival Liberty based on the length of time the condition existed and the company’s inspection schedules for the area. To support the claim that Carnival was aware of the risks associated with flooring in disrepair, the complaint cites a history of substantially similar trip and fall incidents across the cruise line’s fleet. The filing references five specific prior lawsuits involving passengers injured by broken or uneven tiles on other vessels, including the Carnival Firenze, Carnival Legend, Carnival Valor, Carnival Miracle, and Carnival Sunshine between 2023 and 2024. Stephenson’s legal counsel contends that these repeated incidents demonstrate that loose and broken tiles are a systemic issue that the cruise line has failed to adequately address.
Complaint Charges Cruise Line With Negligent Maintenance and Failure to Warn Passengers of Trip Hazards
Stephenson brings two specific counts of negligence against the defendant: negligent maintenance and negligent failure to warn. The complaint alleges that Carnival owed a duty of reasonable care to maintain walking surfaces in a safe condition and breached this duty by failing to repair the tile floor on Deck 5. Furthermore, the plaintiff asserts that the cruise line failed to warn her of the hazardous condition through the use of caution signs or by cordoning off the area to prevent passengers from walking over the defective flooring. The lawsuit claims that the cruise line failed to implement or enforce adequate policies regarding walking surface maintenance to ensure that flooring in disrepair was identified and corrected before injuries occurred.
Plaintiff Seeks Damages for Surgery, Lost Wages, and Ongoing Pain and Suffering Due to Carnival’s Negligence
As a result of the alleged negligence, Stephenson is seeking damages in excess of $75,000 for her injuries. The lawsuit states that in addition to the trimalleolar ankle fracture and subsequent surgery, the plaintiff has suffered mental anguish, disfigurement, and physical disability. The complaint further outlines that Stephenson has incurred significant medical and hospital expenses and anticipates future medical costs related to the injury. Additionally, the plaintiff seeks compensation for a loss of income and a loss of future earning capacity, alleging that the damages are permanent and continuing in nature.
Contact a Cruise Ship Walkway Injury Lawyer Today if You Were Hurt Due to Uneven Flooring or Broken Tiles
Cruise passengers injured while navigating interior walkways, especially those involving loose tiles, uneven surfaces, or lack of warning signs, may be entitled to compensation under maritime law. Cruise lines like Carnival have a legal obligation to ensure that flooring and high-traffic areas are maintained and inspected to protect passengers from foreseeable harm. If you or someone you care about was injured in a similar trip and fall accident, contact our team of experienced maritime injury lawyers today. We are here to help you understand your rights and explore your legal options.
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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.
