New York Resident Sues NCL After Flying Jersey Barrier Causes Injuries During Boarding of Norwegian Escape
Anthony John, a citizen of New York, has filed a maritime personal injury lawsuit against NCL (Bahamas) Ltd. in the Southern District of Florida. The complaint, filed under Case No. 26-20398-CV, alleges that John sustained serious and permanent injuries while attempting to re-board the Norwegian Escape in Costa Maya, Mexico, on January 27, 2025. The lawsuit seeks damages in excess of $75,000 for negligence arising under General Maritime Law.
Cruise Passenger Struck by Airborne Jersey Barrier While Boarding Norwegian Escape in Rough Seas
According to the legal filing, the incident occurred while the Norwegian Escape was docked at a pier in Costa Maya. Earlier that morning, the cruise line disembarked passengers despite allegedly knowing that weather and sea conditions were expected to deteriorate throughout the day. By the time the plaintiff returned to the pier to board the vessel, the sea state had become dangerously rough, with waves crashing underneath the pier structure. The complaint notes that the pier contained various ports that created significant fall hazards for walking passengers. To address these openings, the cruise line utilized heavy jersey barriers as covers. However, the force of the crashing seas reportedly caused one of these barriers to be flung into the air, where it struck the plaintiff as he attempted to return to the ship.
Norwegian Cruise Line Accused of Failing to Warn of Flying Object Hazards and Hazardous Pier Conditions
The lawsuit alleges that NCL had actual and constructive knowledge of the dangerous conditions on the pier. The plaintiff’s legal team asserts that the cruise line was aware of the hazards because it had created them by placing the barriers and because substantially similar incidents had occurred during prior visits to this specific port. Despite this knowledge, the complaint alleges that the cruise line failed to provide adequate verbal or written warnings regarding the propensity for objects to become airborne during rough weather. Furthermore, the lawsuit claims that NCL failed to station enough crew members in the known hazardous area to either fix the hazard or direct passengers away from the danger as the sea conditions worsened throughout the afternoon.
Complaint Alleges Negligent Pier Maintenance and Failure to Secure Safety Barriers on Norwegian Escape Cruise
In addition to the failure to warn, the plaintiff alleges that NCL was negligent in the way it maintained and secured the boarding area. The complaint argues that the cruise line failed to adequately secure the jersey barriers to the ground, which allowed the maritime conditions to transform a safety device into a dangerous projectile. The plaintiff further contends that the cruise line failed to design and implement policies that would decrease known risks to passengers during the disembarkation and re-embarkation process. The legal filing suggests that a lack of proper training for crew members regarding safe practices and foreseeable risks contributed to the incident, as the staff on the dock failed to ameliorate the hazard even as the weather became increasingly volatile.
Plaintiff Seeks Damages for Permanent Injuries and Lost Vacation Value Following Norwegian Escape Accident
The lawsuit brings a count of negligence against NCL, asserting that the cruise line breached its duty to provide reasonable care under the circumstances. As a direct result of being struck by the flying barrier, the plaintiff claims to have suffered injuries to his body and extremities, physical pain, mental anguish, and a loss of enjoyment of life. The complaint further states that the New York resident has incurred medical expenses and suffered a loss of wages and future earning capacity. Because the injuries are alleged to be permanent and continuing, the plaintiff is seeking compensation for future losses as well as the lost value of his cruise vacation and related transportation costs.
Contact a Cruise Ship Pier Injury Lawyer Today if You Were Injured Boarding a Vessel in Dangerous Weather
Cruise passengers who are injured during the boarding or disembarkation process due to unsecured equipment, flying objects, or hazardous pier conditions may be eligible for compensation under maritime law. Cruise operators like NCL have a legal responsibility to monitor weather conditions and ensure that the pathways used by passengers are free from foreseeable dangers. If you or a loved one suffered an injury while on a cruise vacation due to a failure to maintain a safe environment, contact our team of experienced maritime injury lawyers today to discuss your legal rights.
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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.
