Royal Caribbean and Concessionaire Sued Over Crew Injury, Unseaworthiness, and Medical Negligence
Collard claims she sustained serious injuries to her neck and upper extremities due to repetitive, heavy lifting of merchandise—including 250-piece T-shirt boxes—without sufficient manpower, equipment, or safety training.
Key allegations:
- Workloads frequently violated seafarer rest hour regulations
- She was forced to transport goods manually down stairs from pallet deliveries
- She lacked access to lifting belts or trolleys adequate for the job
- After suffering injury, she received improper shipboard treatment, including an incident where a doctor forcibly pushed her head down, worsening her condition
A subsequent CT scan revealed herniated cervical discs, and she later required a neck fusion surgery.
Moldova-Based Sales Associate Alleges Unsafe Labor Practices and Delayed Treatment Aboard Symphony of the Seas
Case Name: Natalia Collard v. International Cruise Shops, Ltd. and Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd. d/b/a Royal Caribbean International
Case Number: 1:25-cv-21721-JEM
Jurisdiction: U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida
Filing Date: April 15, 2025
Plaintiff: Natalia Collard, citizen of Moldova
Defendants:
- International Cruise Shops, Ltd. (employer and onboard retail concessionaire)
- Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd., doing business as Royal Caribbean International and Royal Caribbean Group
Vessel: Symphony of the Seas
Incident Date: July 27, 2023
Location: Warehouse area aboard vessel, between Deck 2 and retail locations
Legal Claims
Collard, a retail sales associate aboard Symphony of the Seas, filed a multi-count complaint alleging serious physical injury, lack of adequate workplace support, and negligent medical care. Her claims include:
- Jones Act Negligence (against International Cruise Shops, Ltd.)
- Unseaworthiness (against Royal Caribbean)
- Failure to Provide Maintenance and Cure
- Failure to Treat
- Vicarious Liability for Medical Negligence (under both actual and apparent agency doctrines)
The plaintiff seeks compensatory, punitive, and special damages for permanent physical injuries, wage loss, and emotional distress.
Legal Analysis & Implications
Jones Act & Maritime Labor Protections
Collard’s claims invoke powerful seafarer protections under:
- The Jones Act (46 U.S.C. § 30104) – allowing injured crew to sue employers for negligence
- General Maritime Law – including doctrines of unseaworthiness and maintenance and cure
The complaint extensively details unsafe working conditions and overexertion—hallmarks of employer liability under the Jones Act. She also alleges chronic understaffing, inadequate training, and regulatory violations under the Seafarers’ Hours of Work Convention and International Safety Management Code.
Vicarious Liability for Shipboard Medical Negligence
Following the Eleventh Circuit’s landmark ruling in Franza v. Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd., 772 F.3d 1225 (11th Cir. 2014), cruise lines may be held liable for medical malpractice by onboard doctors. Collard asserts both actual and apparent agency theories against Royal Caribbean, arguing:
- Doctors wore Royal Caribbean uniforms
- The ship controlled their schedules, pay, and operations
- She reasonably relied on the belief they were acting on behalf of the cruise line
This raises critical industry questions about medical care standards aboard cruise ships and the scope of employer responsibility for third-party concessionaires and medical staff.
Trend & Policy Analysis
Escalating Litigation Over Crew Work Conditions
This case is part of a broader trend where cruise ship crew members increasingly file suits in U.S. courts alleging:
- Unsafe labor practices
- Repetitive motion injuries
- Delayed or substandard onboard medical care
With ships operating under flags of convenience, crewmembers often face limited access to labor protections unless U.S. jurisdiction applies via home-port connections or forum-selection clauses.
The case also signals risk exposure for onboard concessionaires like International Cruise Shops, Ltd., who may be liable for the occupational safety of their own employees even while working on another company’s vessel.
Contact Us Today
If you’re a cruise ship crewmember injured on the job or denied proper medical treatment while at sea, you may have legal rights under the Jones Act and general maritime law. Employers and cruise lines have a duty to provide a safe working environment, prompt medical care, and financial support while you recover.
Contact a maritime attorney to explore your rights to compensation for lost wages, medical bills, and long-term injuries. Seafarers have powerful legal protections—but time limits apply.
