New York Woman Sues Celebrity Cruises After Being Struck by Windblown Shore Tent While Disembarking Celebrity Edge in Alaska
Haleh Field, a resident of New York, has filed a maritime personal injury lawsuit against Celebrity Cruises Inc. in the Southern District of Florida. The lawsuit, filed under Case No. 1:26-cv-24653-WPD, alleges that Field sustained serious and permanent injuries after being struck by an unsecured shore tent while disembarking the Celebrity Edge during a port visit in Juneau, Alaska, on August 11, 2025.
Cruise Passenger Injured Disembarking Celebrity Edge Due to Flying Dock Tent with No Warning or Tiedowns
According to the complaint, the incident occurred as Field was exiting the vessel onto the pier in Juneau. While moving through the designated shoreside area, an outdoor canopy tent assembled on the dock allegedly flew up from the ground due to the wind and forcefully struck her. The lawsuit asserts that the tent was owned, operated, managed, and maintained entirely by Celebrity Cruises. The cruise line allegedly failed to ensure that the shoreside structures were sufficiently weighed down, tied, or anchored to withstand the local weather conditions, creating an immediate physical hazard for passengers walking past the structure. Field claims she was given no warning about the unsecured setup and had no reason to expect that the structures on the pier would become airborne.
Celebrity Cruises Accused of Failing to Secure, Inspect, and Safely Manage Shoreside Infrastructure
The lawsuit alleges that Celebrity Cruises had a operational duty to safely manage its shoreside infrastructure and the flow of passenger traffic during disembarkation. Plaintiff’s legal counsel argues that the cruise line failed to follow basic safety protocols regarding the erection of temporary outdoor structures in coastal port environments, which are frequently prone to sudden gusts of wind. By failing to perform routine safety checks or monitor the stability of the tents, the cruise line allegedly allowed a highly dangerous condition to persist directly in the path of departing guests. The complaint contends that despite the predictable risks of setting up light canopy tents next to the water, the ship’s crew and shoreside staff failed to inspect the tiedowns, monitor local wind conditions, or cordon off the area until the structures were properly anchored.
Complaint Alleges Negligent Dockside Operations, Inadequate Ballast, and Failure to Protect Passengers in Juneau Port
In addition to failing to secure the canopy, Field alleges that the operational setup on the pier was fundamentally negligent. The complaint argues that the cruise line chose to assemble and operate these tents on the open dock without proper industrial stakes, sandbags, or heavy ballast material suited for maritime port environments. The design and placement of the passenger reception area allegedly did not take into account the high volume of foot traffic passing in close proximity to the temporary structures. Internal corporate safety policies regarding port security and dock operations were allegedly disregarded or poorly enforced by the crew members responsible for managing the disembarkation zone in Juneau that day.
Plaintiff Seeks Compensation for Severe Physical Pain, Medical Bills, and Disrupted Vacation Caused by Cruise Line Negligence
Field brings claims of negligence against Celebrity Cruises, asserting that the cruise line breached its legal duty to exercise reasonable care under the circumstances for the safety of its passengers. The lawsuit states that no negligence on the part of the plaintiff contributed to the incident whatsoever. As a direct result of being struck by the flying tent, Field claims she suffered serious and permanent physical injuries, severe physical pain and suffering, and a loss of the ability to perform her normal daily activities. Her injuries are alleged to require ongoing medical care and attention, causing her to incur significant healthcare expenses. She is seeking damages for past and future medical treatments, pain and suffering, and the lost enjoyment of her cruise vacation.
Contact a Cruise Ship Dock Injury Lawyer Today if You Were Injured on a Pier or Shore Excursion
Cruise passengers who suffer injuries during disembarkation, shore excursions, or while walking on cruise-controlled pier areas may be entitled to significant financial compensation under federal maritime law. Passenger lines like Celebrity Cruises owe their guests a strict duty of care not just onboard the vessel, but also within the immediate boarding and disembarkation areas under their operational control. If you or a loved one was hurt due to falling infrastructure, unanchored equipment, or unsafe dockside conditions during a cruise, contact our team of experienced maritime injury lawyers today to discuss your 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.
