New York Woman Sues NCL After Tripping on Raised Threshold While Entering Restroom on Norwegian Escape
Dahlia Cohen, a resident of New York, has filed a maritime personal injury lawsuit against NCL (Bahamas) Ltd. in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida. The lawsuit, filed under Case No. 1:26-cv-21406-CMA, alleges that Cohen suffered serious and permanent injuries after tripping over an elevated threshold located between her stateroom and the bathroom while sailing aboard the Norwegian Escape on April 30, 2025.
Cruise Passenger Injured on Norwegian Escape Due to Hidden Bathroom Step and Inadequate Warning Signs
According to the complaint, the incident occurred shortly after Cohen boarded the vessel and returned to her stateroom, number 14890. While attempting to enter the bathroom, she encountered a raised threshold that stood several inches off the ground. The lawsuit alleges that there were no adequate visual cues, lighting, or warning signs to alert her to this change in elevation, rendering the step unapparent and hazardous. Cohen asserts that the threshold was located in a place where a passenger would not reasonably expect a step to be. Because the danger was not open or obvious, she had no way of knowing the condition existed before she fell and suffered a fractured nose that required surgical intervention.
Norwegian Cruise Line Accused of Failing to Maintain Safe Stateroom Conditions Despite Knowledge of Prior Trip and Fall Incidents
The lawsuit alleges that NCL had both actual and constructive knowledge of the dangerous condition posed by these stateroom thresholds. Cohen’s legal team references several prior lawsuits filed in the Southern District of Florida involving similar trip and fall incidents on raised bathroom steps aboard NCL vessels. The complaint cites specific cases such as Perez v. NCL (Bahamas) Ltd., Stevanovski v. NCL (Bahamas) Ltd., Bendavid v. NCL (Bahamas) Ltd., Clark v. NCL (Bahamas) Ltd., and Cluts v. NCL (Bahamas) Ltd. These cases involved similar accidents on the Norwegian Bliss and Norwegian Breakaway. The plaintiff argues that these recurring incidents over several years prove that NCL was aware of the hazard but failed to comply with International Maritime Organization and Safety of Life at Sea standards to identify and correct shipboard hazards.
Complaint Alleges Dangerous Stateroom Design and Improper Placement of Cautionary Visual Cues on Norwegian Escape
In addition to failing to warn passengers, Cohen alleges that the Norwegian Escape was poorly designed and that NCL participated in and approved the specific layouts for stateroom interiors. The complaint argues that the cruise line established internal standards for materials and elevation changes but failed to apply them effectively to the bathroom thresholds. The lawsuit claims that the threshold lacked proper contrasting colors or nosing to make it visible to guests. Furthermore, the plaintiff alleges that any warning signs NCL may have placed in the general area were inadequately positioned, rendering them ineffective at communicating the specific risk of the raised step to passengers entering the restroom.
Plaintiff Seeks Damages for Permanent Injuries and Loss of Cruise Value Due to NCL Negligence
Cohen brings four counts of negligence against NCL: negligent failure to warn, negligent failure to maintain, negligent design, and general negligence. She claims the cruise line breached its duty to provide reasonable care and failed to ensure the stateroom was free of tripping hazards. The lawsuit states that as a result of the fall, Cohen suffered physical pain, mental anguish, disability, and disfigurement. The complaint notes that her injuries are permanent and continuing, which will lead to future medical expenses and a loss of enjoyment of life. In addition to physical damages, she seeks compensation for the lost benefit of her vacation, including the costs of the cruise and related transportation.
Contact a Cruise Ship Stateroom Injury Lawyer Today if You Were Hurt in a Trip and Fall Accident
Cruise passengers who suffer injuries due to poorly marked steps, hidden thresholds, or inadequate lighting in their cabins may be entitled to financial compensation under maritime law. Cruise operators like NCL have a legal responsibility to maintain staterooms in a reasonably safe condition and to warn travelers of any latent hazards that could cause a fall. If you or a loved one experienced a serious injury while on a vacation at sea, contact our team of experienced maritime injury lawyers to discuss your potential claim. We are dedicated to helping victims navigate the complexities of cruise ship litigation.
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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.
