Ohio Woman Sues Carnival Corporation After Heavy Balcony Door Fractures Finger on Carnival Pride
Patrice Boone, a resident of Ohio, has filed a maritime personal injury lawsuit against Carnival Corporation in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida. The lawsuit, filed under Case No. 1:26-cv-21256-KMW, alleges that Boone suffered severe and permanent physical injuries due to a violent wind-tunnel effect while she was a passenger aboard the Carnival Pride on March 1, 2025.
Cruise Passenger Sustains Hand Fracture on Carnival Pride Due to Sudden Wind Tunnel Effect in Stateroom
According to the complaint, the incident occurred while the vessel was navigating international waters. Boone was attempting to exit her stateroom to go onto her private balcony when a Carnival cabin employee suddenly opened the main stateroom entrance door from the hallway. The lawsuit explains that because air behaves like a fluid moving from high to low pressure, the opening of the hallway door created a sudden pressure differential. This triggered a powerful wind-tunnel effect that caused the heavy balcony door to slam shut with extreme force. Boone’s hand was caught in the path of the closing door, resulting in a fractured finger and permanent damage to her hand and nail.
Carnival Corporation Accused of Having Actual Knowledge of Dangerous Slamming Door Hazards
The plaintiff alleges that Carnival was fully aware of the risks associated with pressure-induced door closures but failed to protect passengers from the hazard. The complaint points to Carnival’s own safety internal protocols as evidence of this knowledge, noting that on certain ships, the cruise line posts specific cautionary signs advising guests to close balcony doors before opening stateroom doors. Furthermore, the lawsuit claims that Carnival provides introductory orientation videos to guests that acknowledge this specific risk. Boone argues that these existing warnings and training materials prove the wind-tunnel effect is a persistent and known danger across the fleet that is not open or obvious to the average passenger.
Lawsuit Claims Negligent Training and Failure to Install Safety Devices Led to Permanent Finger Injury
In addition to a failure to warn, the complaint focuses on the negligent actions of the crew and the mechanical setup of the cabin. Boone alleges that the cabin employee was inadequately trained and failed to verify that the balcony door was closed before opening the entrance door. The legal team also argues that Carnival breached its duty of care by failing to install simple safety mechanisms such as door-stopping devices, hydraulic dampers, magnets, or slow-close hinges that would have prevented the door from slamming violently. The plaintiff asserts that these cost-effective engineering solutions are standard industry practice and would have mitigated the “pinch-point” hazard that caused her injury.
Plaintiff Seeks Compensation for Medical Expenses and Permanent Disability Under General Maritime Law
The lawsuit brings four counts of negligence against Carnival Corporation: negligent failure to eliminate a hazard, negligent failure to warn, negligent failure to comply with safety rules, and negligent training of personnel. The complaint cites violations of international safety standards, including the Safety of Life at Sea treaty and International Maritime Organization regulations, which require escape routes and doorways to be maintained in a safe condition. Boone claims that as a result of the cruise line’s negligence, she has suffered physical impairment, mental anguish, loss of capacity for the enjoyment of life, and significant medical expenses. She is seeking economic and non-economic damages and has demanded a trial by jury.
Contact an Experienced Cruise Ship Finger Injury Lawyer if You Were Hurt by a Slamming Door on a Vessel
Cruise passengers who suffer fractures or other serious injuries due to heavy doors, wind-tunnel effects, or negligent crew actions may be entitled to significant compensation under maritime law. Cruise operators have a legal responsibility to maintain safe staterooms and ensure that their employees are trained to avoid creating hazardous conditions for guests. If you or a loved one sustained a hand or finger injury while vacationing on a cruise ship, it is essential to speak with a legal professional who understands the complexities of maritime litigation in the Southern District of Florida.
Contact us now to speak with a cruise ship 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.
