Royal Caribbean and Port Tampa Bay Sued After Wheelchair Accident Boarding Enchantment of the Seas
Patricia Russom, a Florida resident, has filed a maritime personal injury lawsuit against Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd. and the Tampa Port Authority, which does business as Port Tampa Bay. The complaint, filed in the Southern District of Florida under Case No. 1:25-cv-25191-FAM, alleges that Russom suffered serious and permanent injuries when her wheelchair became caught on an uneven gangway while boarding the Enchantment of the Seas in Tampa on November 19, 2024.
Wheelchair Passenger Injured When Front Wheels Caught on Uneven Gangway During Boarding
According to the lawsuit, Russom was boarding the Enchantment of the Seas with her daughter, Elizabeth, at Port Tampa Bay when her wheelchair’s front wheels became lodged at a transition point between two metal ramps on the ship’s gangway. The complaint states that the uneven surface created a sudden drop that caused her wheelchair to pitch forward, throwing her to the ground.
Russom alleges she struck her head and face on the ramp surface, losing consciousness and suffering multiple injuries, including a concussion, facial trauma, and a traumatic brain injury. She was treated by the ship’s medical team before being transported to Tampa General Hospital for further care.
Royal Caribbean and Port Tampa Bay Accused of Negligence in Failing to Maintain Safe Gangway Conditions
The lawsuit claims that both Royal Caribbean and Port Tampa Bay were responsible for ensuring that the boarding gangway was properly configured, stable, and safe for passenger use, particularly for guests with mobility impairments. It alleges that the transition between two gangway segments created a height differential that violated basic safety standards and posed a foreseeable danger to wheelchair users.
Russom contends that the defendants:
- Failed to maintain a reasonably safe means of boarding the vessel;
- Failed to inspect the gangway for uneven surfaces or obstructions;
- Failed to warn passengers of the hazard;
- Failed to properly train and supervise staff assisting disabled passengers; and
- Allowed an unsafe gangway configuration to be used despite knowledge of prior similar incidents.
The complaint emphasizes that Royal Caribbean, as a common carrier, owes its passengers a non-delegable duty to provide a reasonably safe means of ingress and egress, regardless of whether terminal operations are handled by a port authority or contractor.
Lawsuit Cites Prior Cruise Gangway Injury Cases Involving Royal Caribbean
Russom’s legal team references multiple prior lawsuits involving similar gangway accidents aboard Royal Caribbean ships, including Cosseboom v. Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. and Youngman v. Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., in which passengers were injured after their mobility devices caught or tipped on uneven boarding ramps.
By highlighting these earlier cases, the complaint seeks to show that Royal Caribbean and Port Tampa Bay had notice of the risks associated with uneven gangways and failed to take corrective measures to protect passengers from foreseeable harm.
Plaintiff Seeks Damages for Permanent Physical and Cognitive Injuries
The lawsuit alleges that Russom suffered lasting harm as a result of the incident, including chronic headaches, dizziness, pain, and neurological symptoms consistent with a traumatic brain injury. She also claims significant emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and diminished independence due to her ongoing medical condition.
Russom seeks damages exceeding $75,000 for medical expenses, pain and suffering, mental anguish, and other losses under the General Maritime Law of the United States. The complaint includes counts for negligent maintenance, negligent failure to warn, negligent training, and breach of Royal Caribbean’s non-delegable duty to provide safe boarding conditions.
Cruise Lines and Ports Have Legal Obligations to Protect Passengers Using Gangways
Cruise lines operating from Florida ports are legally required to ensure that gangways, ramps, and access points are safely maintained for all passengers, including those using wheelchairs and mobility aids. Under maritime law, both the vessel operator and port authority may share liability when unsafe or improperly configured gangways lead to passenger injuries.
Passengers injured during boarding or disembarkation may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, rehabilitation, and other damages resulting from negligent maintenance or supervision.
If you or someone you know was injured while boarding or disembarking a cruise ship due to an unsafe gangway or wheelchair access issue, contact our maritime injury attorneys for a free consultation to discuss your legal options.
Contact us today to speak with a cruise ship injury lawyer.
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.
