New York Resident Sues Carnival Cruise Line After Shower Handrail Detaches Onboard Carnival Radiance
Ernette Barnes, a resident of New York, 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 No. 1:26-cv-20054-PCH, alleges that Barnes suffered severe and permanent injuries after a handrail in her stateroom shower broke off the wall, causing her to fall. The incident occurred on January 26, 2025, while the Carnival Radiance was navigating open waters.
Cruise Passenger Injured on Carnival Radiance Due to Broken Shower Handrail and Improper Repairs
According to the complaint, Barnes was a fare-paying passenger when she attempted to use the handrail provided in her stateroom shower. As she placed weight on the fixture, it unexpectedly detached from the wall, leading to a violent fall. The plaintiff asserts that the hazardous condition of the handrail was not open or obvious and that she had no reason to suspect the fixture was unstable. The legal filing highlights a critical timeline of events, alleging that the handrail had actually broken three days prior to the accident. On January 23, 2025, Carnival was reportedly notified of the broken fixture. While the cruise line attempted to remedy the issue, the complaint alleges that the repair was performed improperly, leading to the handrail failing again just days later when Barnes attempted to use it.
Carnival Accused of Constructive Knowledge Following Similar Shower Injury Incidents on Other Vessels
The lawsuit alleges that Carnival Corporation had both actual and constructive knowledge of the dangerous condition. Beyond the specific notice provided days before the accident, the plaintiff’s legal team points to a history of similar incidents involving bathroom fixtures across the Carnival fleet. The complaint cites previous litigation in the Southern District of Florida to demonstrate a pattern of neglect regarding stateroom safety. Specifically, the filing references Randall Brand v. Carnival, where a passenger fell after a safety handle broke; Edith Saint Juste v. Carnival, involving a fall due to lack of support handles; and Monica Palmer v. Carnival, where a shower chair detached from a stateroom wall. These cases are presented as evidence that the cruise line was aware of the risks associated with wall-mounted bathroom fixtures but failed to implement adequate inspection or maintenance protocols to protect passengers.
Complaint Alleges Negligent Maintenance and Failure to Warn of Hazardous Stateroom Conditions
The legal action brings four counts against Carnival: negligent failure to warn, negligent failure to maintain, general negligence, and vicarious liability for the conduct of its crewmembers. Barnes argues that Carnival breached its non-delegable duty to provide reasonable care by failing to warn her that the handrail was not properly secured. The complaint further alleges that the cruise line failed to regularly inspect stateroom bathrooms for dangerous conditions and did not have adequate policies in place to ensure that repairs were performed to a safe standard. The plaintiff contends that if the ship’s crew had followed reasonable inspection procedures or properly verified the integrity of the previous repair, the hazardous condition would have been identified and corrected before her injury occurred.
Plaintiff Seeks Compensation for Permanent Disability and Loss of Vacation Value After Carnival Injury
As a direct result of the fall, Barnes claims she suffered injuries to her body and extremities, physical pain, mental anguish, and a loss of enjoyment of life. The lawsuit states that her injuries have resulted in physical handicap and disability, leading to lost wages and an impairment of her future ability to work. Beyond the physical and economic damages, the plaintiff is seeking recovery for the loss of the benefit of her vacation, including cruise and transportation costs. The complaint emphasizes that the injuries sustained are permanent and continuing in nature, requiring ongoing medical care and treatment. Barnes has demanded a jury trial to seek justice for the damages caused by the cruise line’s alleged negligence.
Contact a Cruise Ship Stateroom Injury Lawyer Today if You Were Hurt Due to Dangerous Cabin Conditions
Cruise passengers who suffer injuries due to broken fixtures, improper repairs, or hazardous stateroom conditions may be entitled to significant compensation under maritime law. Cruise companies like Carnival are legally required to maintain guest cabins in a reasonably safe condition and to ensure that any reported maintenance issues are resolved effectively. If you or a loved one experienced a fall or injury aboard a vessel because of a faulty handrail, broken furniture, or lack of safety warnings, reaching out to an experienced maritime attorney is an essential step in protecting 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.
