Rhode Island Passenger Sues Royal Caribbean After Cruise Ship Crew Member Allegedly Runs Over Her Foot with Cleaning Machine
Alycia Pessoa, a Rhode Island resident, has filed a maritime personal injury lawsuit against Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. in the Southern District of Florida. The lawsuit, filed under Case No. 1:25-cv-23913-DPG, arises from an incident aboard the Symphony of the Seas on July 4, 2024, in which Pessoa alleges her foot was run over by a cleaning machine operated by a Royal Caribbean crew member on the pool deck.
Royal Caribbean Passenger Claims Crew Member Ran Over Her Foot with Deck-Cleaning Machine on Symphony of the Seas
According to the complaint, Pessoa was standing near the pool area on Deck 15 when a crew member operating a deck-cleaning machine struck her left foot without warning. Pessoa was allegedly in a public area accessible to passengers and was alert to her surroundings when the incident occurred.
After being brought to the ship’s medical facility five minutes later, Pessoa received x-rays and was told by onboard medical staff that no fracture had occurred. However, after the cruise ended, additional imaging revealed that she had, in fact, suffered a toe fracture. She also alleges subsequent nerve damage and ongoing pain related to the injury.
Complaint Alleges Royal Caribbean Failed to Warn of Active Machinery and Did Not Restrict Passenger Access During Deck Cleaning
Pessoa alleges that Royal Caribbean was negligent in several key areas. First, the lawsuit claims the cruise line failed to warn her or other passengers that deck-cleaning equipment was in use near the pool. There were no signs, verbal warnings, or roped-off areas alerting passengers to the presence of the moving machinery, the complaint states.
Second, the complaint asserts that the crew member had complete control of the cleaning device and had ample opportunity to avoid hitting Pessoa. Despite this, the operator allegedly failed to take evasive action or communicate with nearby passengers. The suit also emphasizes that the cleaning activity took place during peak passenger hours, and in a high-traffic area where guests could reasonably be expected to walk or stand.
Lawsuit Alleges Medical Negligence by Royal Caribbean’s Onboard Staff After Injury Diagnosis
Pessoa also alleges that Royal Caribbean’s medical staff acted negligently by misdiagnosing her injury and failing to provide proper post-incident care. The lawsuit states that the onboard staff dismissed her without instructing her to limit weight-bearing on her injured foot, which may have worsened the condition.
According to the complaint, it was only after she returned home and sought additional treatment that she learned she had sustained a condyle fracture in her toe. The injury, she claims, resulted in lasting pain, limited mobility, and nerve damage that continues to affect her quality of life.
Plaintiff Seeks Compensation for Bodily Injury, Lost Wages, Medical Expenses, and Damaged Cruise Experience
Pessoa brings multiple counts of negligence against Royal Caribbean, including failure to warn, failure to remedy a hazardous condition, and vicarious liability for the actions of its crew members. She seeks damages for physical injury, pain and suffering, disability, lost wages, diminished earning capacity, and medical expenses. Additionally, the complaint includes a claim for loss of the value of her cruise vacation and associated transportation.
The lawsuit points out that Royal Caribbean’s crewmembers acted as agents of the cruise line and were wearing company uniforms, being paid by Royal Caribbean, and held out to passengers as employees. Pessoa argues that she relied on these representations and would not have booked the cruise had she known otherwise.
Injured by Cruise Ship Machinery or Crew Member Negligence? Know Your Rights Under Maritime Law
When cruise ship operators fail to protect passengers from foreseeable hazards—especially those involving onboard machinery or negligent crew conduct—they may be held liable under maritime law. Incidents involving cleaning equipment, service carts, or maintenance tools in guest areas can result in serious injuries if not managed with reasonable care.
If you were injured aboard a cruise ship due to unsafe conditions or negligent crew actions, consult a maritime injury lawyer to explore your legal rights.
Contact us now to speak with a cruise ship injury attorney experienced in claims involving onboard machinery accidents.
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.
