New York Man Sues MSC Cruises After Beach Chair Collapse at Ocean Cay Severs Finger
A New York resident has filed a maritime personal injury lawsuit against MSC Cruises in the Southern District of Florida, alleging that a defective beach chair at MSC’s private island caused a traumatic finger amputation. The complaint, filed under Case No. 0:25-cv-62088, accuses MSC Cruises (USA) LLC of negligence and failure to warn after a beach chair broke beneath the plaintiff while visiting Ocean Cay Marine Reserve during a 2025 Caribbean cruise aboard the MSC Meraviglia.
Cruise Passenger Suffers Finger Amputation After MSC Beach Chair Breaks at Private Island in the Bahamas
According to the complaint, plaintiff Mark Finamore was a paying passenger aboard the MSC Meraviglia, which departed from New York on June 15, 2025, for a seven-day roundtrip cruise to Florida and the Bahamas. On June 19, while the ship was docked at MSC’s private island, Ocean Cay Marine Reserve, Finamore disembarked and went to the beach area provided for guests.
While sitting down on a beach chair supplied by MSC on the island, the chair allegedly collapsed and gave way. As Finamore tried to brace his fall by clutching the sides of the chair, one of the structural components severed his left index finger from his hand. The lawsuit states the injury was immediate and traumatic, requiring surgery, hospitalization, and resulting in permanent disfigurement.
Lawsuit Alleges MSC Failed to Inspect, Maintain, or Replace Dangerous Lounge Furniture on Ocean Cay
The lawsuit brings two counts under general maritime law: negligent maintenance and failure to inspect or warn of a dangerous condition. Finamore alleges that MSC Cruises had a duty to ensure the beach chairs on its private island were safe for passenger use, especially given the heavy daily usage by thousands of guests. The complaint accuses MSC of breaching that duty by failing to inspect the chair, repair or replace damaged furniture, and warn passengers of potential hazards.
Finamore also claims that MSC owned and operated Ocean Cay, and thus had direct control over the premises, including the seating provided to guests. The suit argues that the cruise line either knew or should have known that the broken chair posed a danger to passengers, yet failed to take corrective action to avoid foreseeable injuries.
Plaintiff Alleges Permanent Disability, Pain, and Loss of Enjoyment Due to Cruise Line’s Negligence
As a result of the incident, Finamore alleges he suffered a complete loss of his left index finger, along with ongoing pain, disability, mental anguish, and disfigurement. The injury has allegedly impacted his ability to work, care for himself, and engage in daily activities. The complaint further asserts that he has incurred significant medical expenses and anticipates continued treatment, physical therapy, and loss of earning capacity.
Finamore seeks damages exceeding $75,000 and demands a jury trial. The suit was filed in the Southern District of Florida in accordance with MSC’s ticket contract, which designates the venue for passenger claims. The incident occurred at a location owned and operated by MSC, and the claim is brought under federal admiralty jurisdiction.
Injured on a Cruise Line’s Private Island? You May Have a Legal Claim for Unsafe Conditions or Defective Equipment
Cruise lines are responsible for ensuring the safety of amenities provided to passengers on board and on their private islands, including furniture, walkways, and beach equipment. If you or a loved one has suffered an injury due to defective lounge chairs, broken beach furniture, or unsafe conditions on a cruise-operated island, you may be entitled to compensation under maritime law.
Contact our experienced Florida cruise injury lawyers today to explore your legal options and understand your rights.
Contact us today for a free consultation with a cruise passenger injury 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.
