North Carolina Passenger Sues Norwegian Cruise Line After Trip and Fall in Accessible Stateroom on Norwegian Dawn
Corinna McDermott, a resident and citizen of North Carolina, 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, docketed under Case No. 1:26-cv-26757-BB, alleges that McDermott sustained severe physical injuries requiring surgical intervention after tripping over an unmarked, hidden transition ramp inside her handicap-accessible stateroom aboard the Norwegian Dawn on December 11, 2025.
Cruise Passenger Injured in Accessible Cabin Due to Camouflaged Floor Ramp and Optical Illusion
The complaint states that McDermott was a paying passenger aboard the vessel when the incident occurred. While walking at a normal pace and paying attention inside her cabin, she encountered an unmarked incline positioned between the main stateroom area and the bathroom. The lawsuit alleges that this sudden change in floor elevation was covered with the exact same contiguous patterned carpeting as the surrounding flooring. This design allegedly generated an optical illusion that concealed the sloped transition from view. Because the floor height variation was visually indistinguishable and lacked any warning strips or visual cues, the dangerous condition was not open or obvious to passengers traversing the room.
Norwegian Cruise Line Accused of Prior Notice Regarding Hidden Incline Tripping Hazards
The filing asserts that Norwegian Cruise Line had actual and constructive knowledge of the hazards associated with carpeted, uneven ramps. McDermott points to internal recordkeeping procedures, including safety meeting logs, guest service complaints, crew shift reports, and shipboard injury statements that routinely track passenger stumbling incidents. To demonstrate prior notice of substantially similar incidents across the fleet, the complaint references Nichter v. NCL (Bahamas) Ltd., involving an unmarked carpeted ramp near a stateroom on the Norwegian Jade, and Ritcey v. NCL (Bahamas) Ltd., where a passenger fell over a hidden transition ramp in a handicap-accessible stateroom aboard the Norwegian Gem. Despite crew training programs and the fleet-wide use of caution signs for sloping decks, the cruise line allegedly failed to deploy any markers or verbal warnings regarding the elevation change in McDermott’s cabin, despite knowing she required mobility accommodations.
Lawsuit Cites International Maritime Safety Violations and Defective Stateroom Floor Design
McDermott further contends that the vessel operator breached both industry standards and mandatory international maritime regulations. The complaint highlights requirements under the Safety of Life at Sea convention, which mandates that escape routes, including stateroom pathways, remain safe and unobstructed. In addition, the suit points to accessibility benchmarks established by the Americans with Disabilities Act guidelines, the Passenger Vessel Accessibility Guidelines, and ASTM International standards. Because the cruise line custom designs, constructs, and refits its ships, McDermott alleges that the company had complete control over cabin layout decisions and approved the installation of the hazardous transition without adequate demarcation, contrast striping, or protective measures.
Injured Traveler Pursues Legal Compensation for Surgeries, Impairment, and Ruined Vacation
The complaint outlines three distinct counts of maritime negligence: negligent maintenance, negligent failure to warn, and negligent design, construction, installation, and approval. As a direct result of the fall, McDermott allegedly suffered severe bodily injuries, permanent physical handicap, ongoing pain, mental anguish, and extensive medical costs for surgical care. She also seeks compensation for the loss of vacation value, transportation expenses, and court costs.
Contact an Experienced Cruise Ship Cabin Injury Lawyer for Maritime Trip and Fall Claims
Travelers who sustain severe injuries due to hidden cabin hazards, unmarked elevation changes, or unsafe stateroom accessibility ramps may have legal recourse under general maritime law. Cruise operators are legally required to maintain safe living quarters and adequately warn guests of foreseeable risks.
Contact us now to speak with a cruise ship trip and fall 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.
