New York Passenger Sues MSC Cruises After Falling on Deck 6 Theatre Steps Aboard MSC Meraviglia
Mazal Madlen Ulfan, a resident of New York, has filed a maritime personal injury lawsuit against MSC Cruises, S.A. in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida. The lawsuit, filed under Case No. 1:26-cv-23785-JEM, alleges that Ulfan suffered serious and permanent injuries after falling down steps in the Deck 6 theatre aboard the MSC Meraviglia on August 26, 2025.
Cruise Passenger Injured Falling on Theatre Steps Due to Poor Lighting and Lack of Handrails
According to the complaint, the incident occurred while Ulfan was a paying passenger navigating the theatre on Deck 6 of the vessel. While moving through the seating area, she encountered a dangerous setup consisting of an unreasonable change in elevation that lacked reasonably accessible handrails. The lawsuit asserts that the theatre was poorly lit at the time of the incident, masking the hazard and making the drop in elevation neither open nor obvious to passengers. Despite the inherent risks associated with dim theatrical environments, MSC Cruises failed to provide passengers with a reasonably safe path to their seats, leading directly to Ulfan losing her footing on the unmarked steps.
MSC Cruises Accused of Having Prior Knowledge of Hazardous Steps and Failing to Assist Passengers
The lawsuit alleges that MSC Cruises had actual and constructive knowledge of the unsafe conditions within the theatre prior to the incident. To support this claim, the plaintiff points out that the International Building Code requires stairways to feature handrails on each side, a standard in effect when the vessel was put into service in 2017. Furthermore, the complaint highlights that an MSC crew member equipped with a flashlight was stationed at the entrance of the theatre to monitor the volume of entering passengers and assist those in need. This deployment is described as a corrective action enacted by the cruise line to prevent trip and fall injuries, yet the crew member allegedly failed to assist Ulfan to her seat.
Complaint Highlights Inconsistent Safety Measures and Lack of Warning Signs on Theatre Walkways
In addition to the lack of verbal or physical assistance, the legal filing accuses MSC Cruises of inconsistent safety protocols across the very same venue. The complaint notes that on another set of steps within the identical Deck 6 theatre, the cruise line had successfully installed a handrail, warning lights, and prominent signs reading watch your step. By implementing these specific safety adjustments on one walkway while ignoring the subject steps where the injury occurred, the cruise line demonstrated clear awareness that the stairs required handrails and warnings to be reasonably safe, yet failed to implement those uniform protections.
Plaintiff Seeks Compensation for Open Fractures, Severe Medical Complications, and Ruined Cruise Vacation
Ulfan brings three counts of negligence against MSC Cruises: negligent failure to maintain, general negligence, and negligent failure to warn. The lawsuit states that as a direct result of the fall, Ulfan sustained severe bodily injuries, including an open fracture to her shoulder and injuries to her nose. Her recovery required multiple surgeries and procedures, during which she suffered severe medical complications, including an infection and the necessary removal of her gallbladder. The plaintiff seeks damages for physical pain, mental anguish, permanent disability, disfigurement, medical expenses, and the total lost value of her cruise vacation and related transportation costs.
Contact a Cruise Ship Theatre Injury Lawyer Today if You Were Hurt in a Boarding or Onboard Fall
Cruise passengers who suffer injuries due to poorly lit venues, missing handrails, or unmarked steps may be entitled to financial compensation under general maritime law. Cruise operators have a strict legal duty to maintain all passenger areas in a reasonably safe condition and to warn travelers of hidden dangers. If you or a loved one experienced a severe slip, trip, or fall accident while traveling on a cruise ship, reaching out to an experienced maritime injury lawyer can help clarify your rights.
Contact us now to speak with a cruise ship slip and fall 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.
