New York Woman Sues Carnival After Wooden Chair Collapses on Lido Deck of Carnival Magic
Jacqueline James, a resident of New York, has filed a maritime personal injury lawsuit against Carnival Corporation in the Southern District of Florida. The lawsuit, filed under Case No. 1:25-cv-23052-CMA, alleges that James suffered permanent injuries when a wooden chair collapsed beneath her on August 12, 2024, while she was seated on the partially covered patio of the Lido Deck aboard the Carnival Magic.
Passenger Injured When Chair Collapses on Lido Deck of Carnival Magic in Unsafe Seating Area
According to the complaint, James was seated under the shaded area of the Lido Deck (Deck 10) listening to live music when the wooden chair she was using suddenly gave way without warning. The fall allegedly caused her serious and lasting injuries. The area, described as a high-traffic relaxation zone, was outfitted with wooden chairs and tables that Carnival allegedly failed to properly inspect, maintain, or replace despite repeated exposure to wear, tear, and outdoor elements.
Carnival Accused of Failing to Maintain Furniture on Outdoor Patio Exposed to Weather and Heavy Passenger Use
The lawsuit asserts that Carnival breached its duty of care by allowing the unsafe wooden chair to remain in use despite signs of degradation. The complaint emphasizes that Carnival, as owner and operator of the Carnival Magic, was responsible for the design, selection, and maintenance of the seating in public areas and had a duty to keep them in a reasonably safe condition. The chair’s collapse, the lawsuit contends, could have been avoided through routine inspection, replacement, or warning. James alleges that Carnival failed to implement a policy for proactively removing worn chairs from service and failed to adhere to its own safety procedures.
Complaint Cites Prior Chair Collapse Lawsuits and Repetitive Incidents Across Carnival Fleet
James’s attorneys point to prior passenger injury claims resulting from collapsing furniture aboard other Carnival vessels, including the Carnival Splendor, Carnival Fantasy, and Carnival Miracle. The lawsuit references lawsuits such as Tesoriero v. Carnival Corporation and Klowski v. Carnival Corporation, in which passengers suffered similar chair-related injuries. The complaint also cites internal records, work orders, and crew reports that allegedly show Carnival was aware of the ongoing risk posed by poorly maintained seating throughout its fleet but did not act to prevent further incidents.
Carnival Also Sued for Negligent Design and Inadequate Crew Training in Chair Maintenance and Inspection
In addition to claims of negligent maintenance and failure to warn, James accuses Carnival of negligence in the design and material selection of the wooden chairs, especially considering their placement in an outdoor environment. The lawsuit claims that Carnival’s shoreside departments directly participated in the selection of furniture during the original outfitting of the Carnival Magic and failed to choose materials appropriate for prolonged exposure to heat, moisture, and heavy use. Furthermore, James alleges that Carnival failed to adequately train crew members to identify dangerous furniture conditions, place warning signage, or take unsafe chairs out of service before they posed a risk to passengers.
Plaintiff Seeks Compensation for Permanent Injuries, Medical Expenses, and Lost Income After Chair Collapse on Carnival Magic
James brings multiple counts against Carnival including negligent failure to maintain, negligent failure to warn, vicarious liability for crew member negligence, negligent training, and negligent design and construction. She claims the injuries have resulted in permanent physical impairment, pain and suffering, and economic losses including medical expenses and lost earning capacity. The lawsuit seeks damages exceeding $75,000 for her injuries and related losses, arguing that the incident could have been prevented with proper safety protocols and inspections.
Contact a Cruise Ship Injury Lawyer if You Were Hurt by Unsafe Conditions Aboard a Carnival Vessel
Passengers injured due to collapsing furniture or other unmaintained equipment aboard cruise ships may be entitled to compensation under maritime law. Cruise lines like Carnival are responsible for ensuring that public seating areas, especially those exposed to weather and repetitive use, are safe for passengers. If you or a loved one were hurt by an unsafe chair, bench, or table aboard a cruise, contact our team of experienced maritime injury attorneys today to discuss your legal options.
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