South Carolina Woman Sues Virgin Cruises After Tripping Over Unrolled Carpet on Valiant Lady
Andrea Moses-Gilmore, a resident of Greenville, South Carolina, has filed a federal maritime lawsuit against Virgin Cruises Intermediate Limited Inc. in the Southern District of Florida. The legal action, filed under Case No. 1:26-cv-22867-RAR, alleges that the sixty-year-old passenger suffered severe and permanent injuries due to a tripping hazard while sailing aboard the Valiant Lady on February 25, 2025.
Cruise Passenger Injured on Valiant Lady Near Deck 15 Galley Due to Improperly Laid Industrial Carpet
According to the complaint, the incident took place at approximately 8:20 p.m. while the vessel was in navigable waters. Moses-Gilmore was walking with her husband near the elevator bank on Deck 15, close to the ship’s marketplace buffet known as the Galley. The lawsuit claims that Virgin crew members were in the process of laying out industrial red carpet on the floor but failed to ensure the material was flat. Specifically, the plaintiff alleges that six to seven inches of the carpet remained unrolled, creating a raised obstruction in a high-traffic walkway. As she approached the elevators, Moses-Gilmore tripped over the unrolled section, causing her to fall forward onto her knees and hands.
Virgin Cruises Accused of Failing to Warn Passengers of Tripping Hazards and Maintaining Safe Walkways
The lawsuit asserts that the dangerous condition was not open or obvious to the plaintiff as she navigated toward the elevators. The complaint highlights a significant lack of safety protocols, alleging that Virgin failed to place caution signs, barriers, or any form of visual warning to alert passengers of the ongoing carpet installation. Furthermore, the plaintiff claims that crew members were standing in the immediate vicinity and were aware of the hazard but did not provide verbal warnings or redirect foot traffic to safer routes. Following the fall, the plaintiff required transport to the ship’s medical center via wheelchair for treatment of her injuries.
Complaint Cites Prior Trip and Fall Incidents Aboard Virgin Vessels as Evidence of Actual and Constructive Notice
To establish that the cruise line had knowledge of the risks associated with unmarked floor hazards, the plaintiff’s legal team references several prior lawsuits involving similar circumstances. The complaint points to recent cases including Meekins v. Virgin Cruises, where a passenger tripped over a raised mat on the Valiant Lady in 2024, as well as Rivera v. Virgin Cruises and Barnes v. Virgin Cruises, which both involved elevation changes and unmarked hazards on the Scarlett Lady. Moses-Gilmore argues that these previous incidents, along with internal safety audits and crew reports, demonstrate that Virgin was well aware of the potential for passenger injury caused by improperly secured floor coverings but failed to implement necessary preventive measures.
South Carolina Plaintiff Seeks Damages for Severe Knee and Back Injuries Resulting from Cruise Line Negligence
The legal action includes counts for negligent inspection and maintenance, negligent failure to warn, and vicarious liability. Moses-Gilmore alleges that the fall resulted in severe and permanent injuries to both of her knees and her lower back. These injuries have reportedly impacted her ability to perform her retail job, walk on uneven surfaces, or manage daily activities such as climbing stairs. The lawsuit seeks compensation for past and future medical expenses, including orthopedic consultations and physical therapy, as well as non-economic damages for pain, suffering, mental anguish, and the loss of enjoyment of life.
Contact a Cruise Ship Trip and Fall Lawyer Today if You Were Injured Due to Unsafe Floor Conditions
Passengers who sustain injuries due to unmarked hazards, improperly maintained walkways, or negligent crew activity on a cruise ship may be eligible for compensation under federal maritime law. Cruise operators are legally required to maintain common areas in a reasonably safe condition and must provide adequate warnings when maintenance activities create risks for travelers. If you or a loved one suffered a fall on a vessel because of unrolled carpets, wet floors, or a lack of safety signage, it is important to understand your rights. Contact our team of experienced maritime injury attorneys to discuss your potential claim and explore your legal options.
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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.
