New Jersey Resident Sues Carnival Cruise Line After Bicycle Excursion Accident Causes Severe Shoulder Injury
Loraine Matheis, a resident of New Jersey, has filed a maritime personal injury lawsuit against Carnival Corporation in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida. The lawsuit, filed under Case Number 1:26-cv-24366-KMM, alleges that Matheis suffered serious and permanent injuries during a cruise ship shore excursion after the brakes failed on a bicycle provided to her during a scheduled tour.
Cruise Passenger Injured on Shore Excursion Due to Defective Bicycle Brakes and Lack of Proper Inspection
According to the complaint, the incident occurred on April 24, 2025, while Matheis was participating in a booked bicycle tour excursion. While riding, the brakes on her bicycle completely failed to function properly, causing her to lose control and collide violently with a container. The force of the impact caused her to slam directly into the structure, resulting in significant injuries to her left shoulder before the bicycle fell over onto her right side. Matheis asserts that she chose the specific excursion because it was prominently promoted and sold directly through the cruise line website, leading her to trust that the activity would adhere to strict safety regulations.
Carnival Accused of Vicarious Liability for Negligence of Apparent Agent Operating the Shore Excursion
The lawsuit focuses heavily on the legal theory of vicarious liability, asserting that Carnival acted in a manner that led the passenger to reasonably believe the excursion operator was an agent or employee of the cruise line. The complaint highlights that Carnival allowed its company name and logo to be used in all advertising materials and handled all transaction arrangements without clearly disclosing that an independent outside entity ran the tour. Furthermore, the cruise line allegedly advised passengers against booking independent tours, claiming familiarity only with its own vetted partners and reassuring guests that these partners maintained the highest safety standards in the maritime industry. Because Matheis made all payments and received receipts exclusively through her shipboard account, she relied on the appearance of agency to her detriment.
Complaint Alleges Failure to Inspect Equipment and Provide Safe Excursion Options for Cruise Guests
In addition to the apparent agency claims, the lawsuit argues that the excursion operator knew or should have known about the dangerous and defective condition of the bicycle. The complaint states that regular inspections and reasonable care would have revealed the mechanical failure before the equipment was distributed to unsuspecting passengers. By failing to properly maintain the braking system, the operators allegedly breached their duty of care and issued a hazardous vehicle to the plaintiff, directly resulting in the severe collision.
Plaintiff Seeks Compensation for Permanent Shoulder Injuries Medical Expenses and Lost Earnings Following Accident
Matheis seeks damages from Carnival for the substantial losses she endured as a result of the collision. She alleges that the cruise line breached its legal duty to provide a safe experience and failed to properly vet the operations of the tour. The complaint states that the injuries to her body and extremities are permanent and continuing, causing ongoing pain, emotional distress, and a loss of regular enjoyment of life. Additionally, she is seeking compensation for accumulated medical expenses, ongoing nursing and attendant care, and past and future loss of earnings resulting from her physical impairment.
Contact a Cruise Ship Shore Excursion Injury Lawyer Today if You Were Hurt During a Vetted Tour
Cruise passengers who suffer injuries during shore excursions due to defective equipment or poor maintenance may be eligible to pursue financial compensation under maritime law. Cruise companies have a responsibility to ensure that the activities they market and sell to their guests are reasonably safe and properly managed. If you or a loved one experienced a similar accident while participating in a ship-sponsored activity, contact our team of experienced maritime injury lawyers today to discuss your case and understand your 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.
