Pennsylvania Woman Sues Carnival Cruise Line After Booth Seat Collapses Aboard Carnival Freedom
Carolyn Connally-Bryant, a resident of Pennsylvania, 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-20048, alleges that Connally-Bryant suffered serious and permanent injuries after a booth seat collapsed while she was dining aboard the Carnival Freedom on February 28, 2025.
Cruise Passenger Injured on Lido Deck After Defective Restaurant Booth Gives Way Without Warning
According to the complaint, the incident occurred while the vessel was in navigable waters at sea. Connally-Bryant was a fare-paying passenger and business invitee on the Carnival Freedom and was visiting the Lido Deck to eat at the Good Eats restaurant area. As she was seating herself in a booth, she moved toward the end of the seat when the structure suddenly gave way. The lawsuit alleges that the booth seat was not properly secured or affixed to its frame, causing the plaintiff to fall into the resulting gap. This sudden equipment failure led to serious physical injuries, specifically involving the passenger’s neck and back.
Carnival Accused of Failing to Maintain Dining Area Equipment and Ignoring Visible Signs of Disrepair
The legal filing asserts that Carnival owed a duty of reasonable care to its passengers to maintain the ship’s premises in a safe condition. The plaintiff alleges that the booth seat was in a dangerous and defective state, being improperly secured or broken prior to the incident. According to the complaint, Carnival breached its duty by failing to ensure the furniture was in a condition suitable for its expected use. The lawsuit highlights several specific failures, including the failure to repair or replace the adhesive or mechanical mechanisms intended to secure the seat to its base. Furthermore, the plaintiff contends that the dangerous condition was readily observable through visual inspection and that Carnival allowed the equipment to deteriorate without proper maintenance.
Lawsuit Claims Carnival Had Knowledge of Dangerous Booth Conditions and Failed to Warn Passengers
The complaint argues that Carnival had both actual and constructive notice of the hazardous condition of the booth. The plaintiff alleges that Carnival either created the danger by failing to secure the seat or should have known of its instability because the booth showed visible signs of looseness and disrepair. The lawsuit further states that the hazard was latent and not easily detectable by passengers who were walking or sitting in the area, as the defect was hidden within the booth’s structure. Despite this alleged knowledge, the cruise line reportedly failed to restrict access to the broken seating or place any conspicuous signage or warning devices to alert diners to the risk of collapse.
Plaintiff Seeks Damages for Permanent Neck and Back Injuries Resulting from Cruise Ship Negligence
Connally-Bryant is pursuing two counts of negligence against Carnival: negligent failure to maintain premises and negligent failure to warn. The lawsuit claims that as a direct result of the cruise line’s negligence, the plaintiff has suffered significant bodily injury, pain and suffering, physical impairment, and mental anguish. The filing also seeks compensation for the expense of hospitalization, medical care, loss of earnings, and the loss of capacity for the enjoyment of life. The plaintiff asserts that these losses are permanent or continuing in nature and has requested a trial by jury to resolve the matter.
Contact a Cruise Ship Furniture Failure Lawyer Today if You Were Injured in a Restaurant or Dining Area
Cruise passengers who sustain injuries due to broken furniture, defective equipment, or poorly maintained dining facilities may be entitled to financial compensation under maritime law. Cruise operators are legally required to inspect and maintain all passenger areas to ensure they are free from foreseeable hazards. If you or a loved one suffered an injury while dining or relaxing aboard a vessel due to equipment failure or lack of maintenance, contact our team of experienced maritime injury lawyers today. We are dedicated to helping victims understand their rights and pursuing the accountability they deserve.
Contact us now to speak with a cruise ship slip 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.
