South Carolina Resident Sues Carnival Cruise Line After Shower Door Detaches and Strikes Passenger on Carnival Mardi Gras
Joyelle L. Tyler, a resident of South Carolina, has filed a maritime personal injury lawsuit against Carnival Corporation in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida. The complaint, filed under Case No. 1:25-cv-25832-DPG, alleges that Tyler suffered severe physical injuries when a heavy glass shower door became unattached and fell on her while she was a passenger aboard the Carnival Mardi Gras.
Cruise Passenger Injured by Falling Shower Door on Carnival Mardi Gras Due to Deteriorated and Broken Hinges
According to the legal filing, the incident occurred on November 12, 2024, while the vessel was in navigable waters. Tyler was using the shower in her stateroom and momentarily opened the door to reach for soap on the exterior counter. As she did so, the door allegedly became completely unattached from its hinges and fell directly onto her, causing injuries to her shoulder. The complaint asserts that the hinges were loose, worn out, and deteriorated, a condition that was unknown to the plaintiff until after the accident took place. Tyler maintains that the hazard was not open or obvious and that there was no action she could have taken to prevent the sudden failure of the door.
Carnival Accused of Failing to Inspect and Maintain Safe Stateroom Fixtures Despite Knowledge of Prior Detached Door Incidents
The lawsuit alleges that Carnival Corporation breached its duty of reasonable care by failing to provide safe stateroom facilities and failing to adequately monitor the condition of cabin fixtures. Tyler’s legal team contends that the cruise line had actual or constructive knowledge of the risk based on prior similar incidents involving falling doors on other vessels in its fleet. The complaint cites specific past cases, including Jackson v. Carnival Corporation, involving a detached closet door on the Carnival Paradise, and Hall v. Carnival Corporation, where a passenger was injured by a falling shower door on the Carnival Glory. The plaintiff argues that these prior accidents should have prompted Carnival to implement more rigorous inspection protocols for all stateroom doors across its fleet to prevent such foreseeable injuries.
Complaint Alleges Negligent Design and Maintenance of Stateroom Shower Doors on Carnival Mardi Gras
In addition to maintenance failures, the lawsuit raises concerns regarding the design and selection of the shower door systems used on the Mardi Gras. Tyler alleges that Carnival failed to ensure the doors were securely affixed to the vessel’s walls and failed to test the strength of the attachments to meet applicable safety standards, such as ASTM F1166. The complaint further states that the cruise line failed to warn passengers of the potential dangers associated with the shower doors or the history of similar accidents, which could have allowed guests to exercise greater caution while using the stateroom bathroom.
Plaintiff Seeks Damages for Permanent Injuries, Medical Expenses, and Lost Vacation Value Due to Carnival’s Negligence
Tyler has brought three counts of negligence against Carnival: general negligence, negligent failure to warn, and negligent failure to maintain. She claims that as a direct result of the door falling on her, she sustained injuries to her body and extremities, resulting in physical pain, mental anguish, and permanent disability or disfigurement. The lawsuit seeks compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and the total loss of the value of her cruise vacation. Tyler is demanding a jury trial to resolve the matter and recover all damages allowed under maritime law.
Contact a Cruise Ship Shower Door Injury Lawyer Today if You Were Hurt on a Vessel Due to Defective Equipment
Cruise passengers who suffer injuries due to falling fixtures or defective equipment, such as a detached shower door or broken cabin furniture, may be eligible for compensation. Cruise lines like Carnival have a legal responsibility to maintain staterooms in a reasonably safe condition and to warn of known hazards that are not obvious to guests. If you or a loved one experienced a Carnival Mardi Gras injury or a similar accident involving shipboard equipment, our team of maritime lawyers can help you understand your rights and pursue a claim for your medical bills and suffering.
Contact us now 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.
