Nicaraguan Crew Member Sues Celebrity Cruises Over Unsafe Work Conditions and Medical Misdiagnosis Aboard Celebrity Silhouette
Kersha Leanie Lampson Hodgson, a Nicaraguan national and former retail sales associate aboard the Celebrity Silhouette, has filed a maritime personal injury lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida. The lawsuit, filed on August 14, 2025, under Case No. 1:25-cv-23669-BB, alleges that Hodgson suffered serious and permanent injuries as a result of unsafe working conditions and negligent medical care while employed onboard the Celebrity Silhouette.
Cruise Ship Crew Member Alleges Unsafe Lifting Duties and Overwork Caused Severe Pelvic Injury
According to the complaint, Hodgson was assigned physically demanding duties involving repetitive heavy lifting during her work in the retail department. She alleges that the ship was chronically understaffed, forcing her to work extended hours without ergonomic tools or sufficient rest. In September 2022, she began experiencing severe abdominal pain, lower back strain, and vaginal bleeding. Despite these symptoms, she was allegedly misdiagnosed by the onboard medical team and told she was experiencing ordinary menstrual pain.
The lawsuit claims that instead of receiving appropriate care, Hodgson was returned to full duty, sometimes under the influence of pain medications. She contends that this exacerbated her injuries and delayed critical medical intervention.
Plaintiff Diagnosed With Grade IV Endometriosis After Alleged Medical Negligence at Sea
After disembarking and seeking further medical evaluation in Nicaragua, Hodgson was diagnosed with Grade IV deep pelvic endometriosis, along with an enlarged uterus and a substantial pelvic lesion. Doctors recommended a hysterectomy, which Hodgson declined due to her desire to preserve fertility. She now claims that the cruise line and its contractors failed to offer or arrange alternative, less-invasive treatments while under their care.
The lawsuit further alleges that Celebrity and its co-defendants prematurely terminated her maintenance and cure benefits before she had reached maximum medical improvement—a violation of their ongoing duty to care for ill or injured seafarers.
Lawsuit Claims Jones Act Negligence, Unseaworthiness, and Denial of Maintenance and Cure
Hodgson brings multiple causes of action under federal maritime law. She alleges Jones Act negligence against three parties—Starboard Cruise Services, Celebrity Cruise Line, and International Cruise Shops—each of which may be deemed her direct or borrowing employer. The complaint cites unsafe work practices, excessive hours, failure to provide safe lifting conditions, and negligent medical treatment as examples of employer misconduct.
Additional counts of unseaworthiness are directed at Celebrity and the vessel-owning entity, Celebrity Silhouette Inc., for allegedly operating a ship with inadequate crew, deficient training, and unsafe methods of work. The final causes of action concern the defendants’ alleged failure to provide maintenance and cure, including a willful and arbitrary refusal to pay ongoing medical expenses, which could give rise to punitive damages.
Maritime Law Protects Crew Members Injured by Unsafe Work and Inadequate Shipboard Medical Care
This case underscores key issues in cruise ship crew injury litigation, particularly the responsibilities of cruise lines and staffing contractors under the Jones Act and general maritime law. Employers must provide safe working environments, reasonable hours, proper training, and adequate medical treatment for injured seafarers. In addition, the longstanding maritime doctrine of maintenance and cure obligates shipowners to pay for a crew member’s medical care, food, and lodging until they reach maximum medical recovery.
Hodgson’s lawsuit highlights the potential consequences of improper return-to-duty decisions and early termination of benefits—areas where courts have permitted recovery of both compensatory and punitive damages when employers act in bad faith.
Plaintiff Seeks Damages for Pain, Lost Wages, and Failure to Provide Medical Support
Hodgson seeks a jury trial and requests damages for physical and emotional suffering, lost income, future medical costs, and loss of enjoyment of life. She also seeks attorney’s fees and punitive damages, particularly related to the alleged failure to pay maintenance and cure. The outcome will likely focus on whether the defendants exercised control over her work, failed in their medical duties, and unjustly terminated her maritime benefits before she fully recovered.
Contact a Cruise Line Crew Injury Lawyer if You’ve Been Denied Proper Medical Care or Benefits
Cruise ship employees who suffer injuries due to unsafe working conditions, overexertion, or negligent medical care may be entitled to compensation under federal maritime law. If your employer failed to provide proper treatment or cut off maintenance and cure before you reached maximum medical improvement, you may have a valid legal claim.
To learn more about your rights under the Jones Act and general maritime law, contact our experienced maritime attorneys today. We are here to help you understand your legal options.
Contact us now to speak with a cruise ship crew injury 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.
