North Carolina Woman Sues Carnival Cruise Line After Deck Umbrella Strikes Her Head on Carnival Venezia
Nueteysh Laguerre, a resident of North Carolina, has filed a maritime personal injury lawsuit against Carnival Corporation in the Southern District of Florida. The lawsuit, filed under Case No. 1:26-cv-23834-RAR, alleges that Laguerre suffered serious and permanent traumatic brain injuries after being struck by an unsecured deck umbrella while relaxing aboard the Carnival Venezia on July 2, 2025.
Cruise Passenger Injured in Serenity Lounge on Carnival Venezia Due to Unsecured Furniture in Windy Weather
According to the complaint, the incident occurred during the late morning hours of a sea day while the Carnival Venezia was navigating windy weather in the Atlantic Ocean. Laguerre had been relaxing in the outdoor Serenity Lounge area on Deck 15 for approximately an hour before the accident occurred. Despite entering notoriously windy conditions at sea, the cruise line’s crew members allegedly failed to remove the deck umbrellas or secure them in a closed position. Instead, the umbrellas were left wide open out on the deck. As Laguerre was standing in the seating area, a violent gust of wind caused one of the unsecured umbrellas to suddenly close, slamming the hard boning of the canopy directly into her head. A Carnival crew member witnessed the impact and assisted her into a seated position before she was taken to the shipboard infirmary, where medical staff diagnosed her with a concussion.
Carnival Accused of Failing to Maintain Open Decks and Disregarding Internal High Wind Safety Protocols
The lawsuit alleges that Carnival had both actual and constructive knowledge of the dangerous conditions on the open deck. Plaintiff’s legal team notes that Carnival actively monitors weather reports and deck logs, meaning leadership and crew knew the ship was facing heavy winds. Furthermore, the complaint highlights that Carnival has specific internal policies, procedures, and training programs that instruct crew members to close and secure heavy deck furniture once wind gusts reach certain speeds. Despite this extensive training and the fact that crew members were present in the immediate area, no announcements were made to passengers, no warning signs were posted, and the area was not cordoned off to protect guests from potential airborne projectiles. The complaint states that even after Laguerre returned from the infirmary after her injury, the remaining umbrellas in the Serenity Lounge were still left standing in an open position.
Maritime Lawsuit Cites Prior Shipboard Injuries Involving Airborne Umbrellas as Proof of Notice
To demonstrate that Carnival had prior notice of the severe risks associated with unsecured deck furniture, the complaint references previous passenger safety incidents. Specifically, the legal team points to a prior maritime personal injury case, Judith Reeder v. Carnival Corporation, which involved a passenger being struck and injured by an unsecured umbrella during a Carnival Sensation voyage. The plaintiff argues that this prior incident, along with fleet-wide safety meetings, maintenance logs, and guest service complaints, proves that Carnival was fully aware that its outdoor deck furniture could act as dangerous projectiles in windy conditions if not physically fastened. The complaint also asserts that Carnival violated mandatory international vessel safety regulations under the Safety of Life at Sea treaty, which requires cruise lines to maintain all public walkways and escape routes in a safe condition clear of hazardous obstacles.
Complaint Alleges Negligent Vessel Design, Improper Material Selection, and Inadequate Crew Safety Training
In addition to maintenance failures, the lawsuit claims that Carnival is liable for negligent design and selection of materials on the Venice Class vessel. The complaint notes that the Carnival Venezia was custom-built under the direct supervision of Carnival’s shoreside architecture and engineering teams, giving the company ultimate control over the safety specifications of the vessel. Laguerre alleges that Carnival chose and installed deck umbrellas in the Serenity Lounge that were fundamentally unstable, unsafe, and lacked the appropriate aerodynamic engineering required for continuous exposure to high ocean winds. Additionally, the suit claims Carnival failed to properly implement and enforce its own shipboard safety training programs, leading to a breakdown in crew performance where staff failed to inspect the open decks, correct wind hazards, or warn passengers of hidden dangers.
Plaintiff Seeks Damages for Permanent Traumatic Brain Injury, Lost Wages, and Future Medical Expenses
Laguerre brings five counts of negligence against the cruise line, including negligent maintenance, vicarious liability for crew negligence, negligent failure to warn, negligent training, and negligent design and selection of materials. The lawsuit contends that because of Carnival’s multiple systemic failures, Laguerre suffered severe and permanent injuries, including head trauma, a traumatic brain injury, ongoing nausea, short-term confusion, chronic headaches, and severe cognitive impairment. She seeks full compensation for past and future economic damages, including medical and psychological treatment expenses, lost income, and a total loss of future earning capacity. She is also seeking non-economic damages under general maritime law for physical pain and suffering, mental anguish, permanent disability, and a diminished capacity for the enjoyment of life.
Contact a Cruise Ship Deck Injury Lawyer Today if You Were Hurt by Unsecured Furniture in High Winds
Cruise ship passengers who suffer severe injuries due to unsecured deck furniture, airborne umbrellas, or unmitigated weather hazards may be entitled to financial compensation under maritime law. Cruise companies like Carnival have a strict legal duty to exercise reasonable care, monitor open decks during windstorms, and secure heavy items to prevent predictable passenger harm. If you or a loved one experienced a similar cruise line accident due to crew negligence or unsafe ship designs, contact our team of experienced maritime personal injury attorneys today. We are committed to evaluating your claim, protecting your consumer rights, and helping you pursue the justice you deserve.
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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.
