Pennsylvania Man Sues Princess Cruise Lines After Being Struck by Luggage Cart During Disembarkation on Sky Princess
Melvin Hillis, a resident of Pennsylvania, has filed a maritime personal injury lawsuit against Princess Cruise Lines, Ltd. in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida. The lawsuit, filed under Case No. 1:25-cv-25881-DSL, alleges that Mr. Hillis sustained serious and permanent injuries during the disembarkation process of the Sky Princess on December 22, 2024. The complaint asserts that the cruise line’s negligent crowd management created a dangerous bottleneck in the ship’s Piazza, leading to a violent collision with a heavy luggage cart.
Cruise Passenger Injured in Sky Princess Piazza Due to Negligent Crowd Control and Bottlenecked Disembarkation
The incident occurred on the final morning of a seven-day Western Caribbean cruise that had originally departed from Fort Lauderdale. According to the complaint, Princess crew members directed Mr. Hillis and his wife to the Deck 5 Piazza to await disembarkation. The Piazza served as a primary hub where passengers were funneled into a high-density environment. The lawsuit alleges that the disembarkation staff failed to regulate the flow of traffic, allowing the area to become so congested that it created an optical obstruction. Mr. Hillis claims he was forced into a narrow, confined path where he could not see the floor or low-lying obstacles because he was surrounded by a wall of people and luggage.
Princess Cruise Lines Accused of Rushing Passengers and Failing to Separate Heavy Luggage Carts from Pedestrians
While navigating the designated path, Mr. Hillis alleges that crew members were shouting instructions and rushing passengers to keep the line moving. This constant pressure reportedly distracted his attention away from the deck and toward the crew’s commands. Amidst this chaotic and crowded environment, a luggage cart pushed by another passenger struck Mr. Hillis without warning. Because the crowd was so dense, the cart was not visible to him until the moment of impact. The force of the collision threw Mr. Hillis violently to the deck, resulting in a visible rug burn on his knee and more severe internal injuries.
Lawsuit Cites Prior Disembarkation Incidents as Evidence of Actual and Constructive Notice of Dangerous Choke Points
The legal team for Mr. Hillis argues that Princess Cruise Lines had both actual and constructive notice of these hazardous conditions. The complaint notes that Piazza Coordinators were physically present on an elevated vantage point and could see that elderly or mobility-limited passengers were being funneled into a dangerous channel. Furthermore, the lawsuit references prior litigation, specifically the case of Bethea v. Princess Cruise Lines, Ltd., to demonstrate that the cruise line was aware that rushing passengers during disembarkation creates a recurring risk of injury. The plaintiff alleges that despite knowing these interior choke points were predictable results of their practices, the cruise line failed to implement adequate training or safety protocols to separate rolling luggage from pedestrian traffic.
Plaintiff Undergoes Reverse Shoulder Replacement Following Violent Fall Caused by Negligent Supervision
The injuries sustained by Mr. Hillis are described as serious and permanent. The impact and subsequent fall resulted in severe damage to his right shoulder, eventually requiring a total reverse shoulder replacement surgery. Additionally, the complaint lists injuries to his head, both knees, and his right hip. Mr. Hillis seeks compensatory damages for physical pain, mental anguish, physical impairment, and the loss of capacity for the enjoyment of life. The lawsuit includes four counts against Princess: general negligence, vicarious liability for the actions of its crew, negligent training, and negligent supervision. Each count emphasizes that the cruise line breached its duty of reasonable care by affirmatively creating a zone of danger and failing to intervene when the disembarkation process became unsafe.
Contact a Cruise Ship Disembarkation Accident Lawyer Today if You Were Injured in a Crowded Choke Point
Cruise ship passengers who are injured during the boarding or disembarkation process due to poor crowd management, lack of supervision, or hazardous bottlenecks may be eligible for compensation under maritime law. Cruise lines have a non-delegable duty to maintain safe ingress and egress for all guests, which includes managing the flow of heavy luggage and preventing dangerous congestion in common areas. If you or a loved one suffered a fall or a collision due to the negligence of a cruise line’s disembarkation staff, it is important to understand your rights. Contact our team of experienced maritime injury attorneys today to discuss your potential claim and explore your legal options for recovery.
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.
