Pennsylvania Man Sues Carnival Cruise Line After Injury During “Legend of Lido” Pool Deck Competition on Carnival Conquest
Kenneth Smith, a resident of Pennsylvania, has filed a personal injury lawsuit against Carnival Corporation in the Southern District of Florida. The complaint, filed under Case No. 1:25-cv-24375-KMW, alleges that Smith suffered serious injuries while participating in Carnival’s “Legend of Lido” competition aboard the Carnival Conquest on October 1, 2024.
Cruise Passenger Injured During “Legend of Lido” Game on Wet Pool Deck of Carnival Conquest
According to the lawsuit, Smith was participating in a cruise-sanctioned event called the “Legend of Lido” competition, held on the Carnival Conquest’s Lido Pool Deck. The event involved multiple high-energy rounds, including a towel animal wrestling portion where participants were encouraged to physically interact with towel props in front of a crowd. Smith alleges that during this portion of the contest, he slipped and fell on a wet surface near the pool while attempting to “defend the ship” from a towel animal, as instructed by the Carnival crew member running the game.
The complaint states that Smith lost his footing on what is believed to be water on the deck and fell onto hard, wood-like or API flooring, striking nearby lounge chairs and sustaining significant injuries. He later required surgery as a result of the incident.
Lawsuit Alleges Carnival Encouraged Unsafe Behavior Without Adequate Safety Warnings or Precautions
Smith claims that Carnival organized and actively encouraged the high-energy nature of the event, instructing participants to act with exaggerated enthusiasm. The towel animal wrestling portion, in particular, was designed to simulate fast-paced, theatrical combat, inviting participants to run, jump, or slam onto the deck for dramatic effect. The lawsuit argues that this kind of activity, especially when hosted directly adjacent to the pool, was foreseeably dangerous and lacked proper safety precautions.
The complaint alleges that Carnival failed to provide appropriate warnings about the risks of participating in the event on a wet and potentially slippery surface. Additionally, Carnival allegedly failed to install anti-skid mats, remove standing water, or relocate the activity to a safer area of the ship. Smith contends that these omissions created an unreasonable risk to passengers, particularly in light of the ship’s known conditions and passenger traffic near the pool.
Carnival Knew Pool Deck Was Hazardous and Had Prior Incidents Involving Similar Passenger Competitions
Smith’s legal team asserts that Carnival had actual or constructive knowledge of the dangers associated with hosting competitions on the Lido Pool Deck. The lawsuit references at least six previous incidents involving passengers injured while dancing, running, or participating in games near the pool area on various Carnival ships. These incidents allegedly occurred aboard the Carnival Miracle, Carnival Legend, and Carnival Pride, involving activities similar to the “Legend of Lido” event.
The complaint argues that despite this history, Carnival continued to host fast-paced games in areas known to become slick with water, sunscreen, and other substances. Smith contends that the cruise line failed to implement lessons learned from these prior injuries and knowingly put future passengers at risk.
Plaintiff Seeks Damages for Medical Expenses, Emotional Distress, and Permanent Injuries From Carnival’s Negligence
Smith is seeking compensation for permanent bodily injuries, pain and suffering, mental anguish, and the loss of capacity to enjoy life. The lawsuit includes claims for past and future medical costs, disfigurement, lost wages, and aggravation of pre-existing conditions. He also alleges significant emotional distress and embarrassment stemming from the public nature of the incident, which occurred in front of fellow passengers during the event.
The complaint includes two primary counts against Carnival: negligent failure to warn and vicarious liability for the actions of its crew members who organized and supervised the event. Smith claims that Carnival’s employees failed to inspect the deck for safety, failed to control the competition area, and failed to warn participants of known slip hazards associated with the event location.
Hurt During a Carnival Cruise Activity? Contact a Maritime Injury Attorney About Your Rights
Cruise lines like Carnival are responsible for organizing onboard events in a safe manner, particularly when activities occur on wet surfaces near pools. When cruise passengers are injured during sanctioned games or competitions, especially on slippery decks, they may be entitled to compensation under maritime law. Injuries caused by unsafe event conditions or lack of warnings could give rise to claims of negligence or liability.
If you or someone you love was hurt while participating in a cruise ship activity, contact us now to speak with a maritime injury lawyer about your options.
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.
