Minnesota Man Sues Princess Cruise Lines After Treadmill Slip and Fall in Gym Aboard Grand Princess
Ghassan Bisharat, a 74-year-old resident of Minnesota, has filed a maritime personal injury lawsuit against Princess Cruise Lines, Ltd. in the Southern District of Florida. The lawsuit, filed under Case No. 1:25-cv-24212-RAR, alleges that Bisharat suffered serious injuries after slipping and falling while dismounting a treadmill in the fitness center aboard the Grand Princess on October 2, 2024.
Cruise Passenger Injured While Dismounting Treadmill in Ship’s Fitness Center Due to Hazardous Equipment Layout
According to the complaint, Bisharat was using a treadmill on the Grand Princess when he attempted to dismount from the back of the machine. As he placed his foot on the floor behind the treadmill, he slipped and fell, allegedly due to a combination of poor treadmill spacing and a dangerously slippery floor surface. The lawsuit claims the treadmills were installed too closely together, violating established fitness industry standards, and that the layout failed to provide handrails or other safety features necessary for safe dismount.
Princess Cruise Lines Accused of Negligent Fitness Center Design, Poor Equipment Spacing, and Unsafe Floor Surface
The complaint brings three counts of negligence against Princess Cruise Lines: (1) unsafe design and layout of the fitness equipment, (2) failure to warn passengers of hidden dangers, and (3) insufficient slip resistance in the gym flooring. The lawsuit alleges that Princess was directly involved in the design and refurbishment of the ship’s fitness center, including during major overhauls in 1998, 2011, 2016, and 2019. Bisharat claims the cruise line failed to ensure proper spacing between treadmills and used flooring material that lacked the slip resistance required by industry safety standards for gym environments.
Lawsuit Highlights Lack of Warnings and Failure to Address Longstanding Safety Risks in Cruise Ship Gym
Bisharat’s legal team alleges that the risks posed by the treadmill layout and flooring were not open and obvious, especially to older passengers. The dangerous conditions only became apparent at the precise moment of dismount, giving users no opportunity to avoid harm. The lawsuit asserts that Princess had actual or constructive knowledge of these hazards based on the longstanding configuration of the fitness center and routine inspections conducted by ship personnel. Despite this, the cruise line allegedly failed to post warnings, provide safe exit instructions, or redesign the space to prevent injuries.
Plaintiff Seeks Damages for Slip and Fall Injury Including Pain, Disability, and Long-Term Medical Needs
As a result of the fall, Bisharat claims he suffered injuries that led to pain and suffering, disability, disfigurement, mental anguish, and the aggravation of a pre-existing condition. His injuries are described as permanent or continuing in nature, requiring ongoing medical treatment and impacting his ability to enjoy life. He seeks damages exceeding $75,000, along with a jury trial on all counts. The complaint emphasizes Princess Cruise Lines’ responsibility to maintain a fitness center that complies with industry safety standards and provides a reasonably safe environment for cruise passengers.
Contact a Cruise Ship Gym Injury Lawyer If You Were Hurt While Using Exercise Equipment Onboard
Cruise passengers injured while using poorly designed or inadequately maintained gym equipment may have grounds for a maritime personal injury claim. Cruise lines like Princess are responsible for ensuring fitness centers are safe, especially when designing equipment layout and choosing flooring materials. If you suffered a slip and fall in a shipboard gym, contact our experienced maritime attorneys to learn more about your legal options.
Contact us now to speak with a cruise ship fitness 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.
