Gary Gilbert, an 87-year-old cruise passenger from Tennessee, has filed a personal injury lawsuit against Holland America Line N.V. in the Western District of Washington. The lawsuit, filed under Case No. 2:25-cv-00944-SKV, alleges that Gilbert sustained permanent and debilitating injuries when his electric scooter was tipped over by crewmembers during a disembarkation procedure aboard the Nieuw Statendam on June 20, 2024.

Elderly Passenger Injured on Gangway as Holland America Crew Mishandles Disembarkation for Mobility Device Users

According to the complaint, Gilbert—who relies on a single-seater electric scooter for mobility—was waiting in the designated disembarkation area for passengers using scooters and wheelchairs. As he prepared to leave the Nieuw Statendam around 12:30 p.m., he was asked by a crewmember to back up his scooter to make way for another crew member pushing a loaded supply cart up the gangway. Gilbert complied but informed the crew that he could not safely reverse further without hitting a nearby wall.

Despite this warning, one or more crewmembers allegedly approached Gilbert’s scooter to reposition it themselves. In the process, the scooter tipped over, trapping Gilbert beneath it. The complaint states that he hit his head, briefly lost consciousness, and sustained a dislocated shoulder, which remains unrepaired due to his age and medical limitations. These injuries, according to his attorneys, are permanent and have significantly impacted his daily life and physical independence.

Holland America Accused of Negligent Handling of Disembarkation for Scooter-Using Passenger

The lawsuit argues that Holland America and its employees acted negligently in directing and managing the disembarkation of a mobility-impaired passenger while simultaneously conducting loading operations in the same space. The crew’s actions, the complaint alleges, created a foreseeable risk of harm to passengers like Gilbert. It further asserts that Holland America failed to provide a safe environment or adequate supervision, warning systems, or procedures to protect vulnerable guests during complex and crowded disembarkation periods.

Gilbert’s legal team also cites the cruise line’s non-delegable duty to provide a safe means of boarding and disembarking under maritime law, emphasizing that even minor negligence in such contexts can result in liability. The complaint claims that the crew failed to follow proper procedures and created a dangerous environment by asking a guest to maneuver in a confined area while simultaneously handling cargo logistics.

Lawsuit Highlights Lack of Safety Protocols, Warning Systems, and Passenger Assistance on Nieuw Statendam

Gilbert’s complaint outlines several alleged failures by Holland America, including the lack of safety warnings or signs in the disembarkation area, the absence of clear disembarkation protocols for passengers with mobility devices, and the decision to allow loading operations to occur in an active passenger zone. He claims that no one warned him of the risks posed by the approaching supply cart or offered proper assistance in safely exiting the vessel.

The lawsuit further alleges that Holland America failed to enforce or implement adequate crew training or policies to prevent incidents involving mobility-impaired passengers. According to Gilbert’s attorneys, these systemic safety oversights reflect broader issues in the cruise line’s operational procedures, particularly when accommodating elderly or disabled guests during high-traffic activities like disembarkation.

Injured Passenger Seeks Compensation for Permanent Disability, Emotional Distress, and Lost Cruise Value

Gilbert is bringing claims for general negligence and vicarious liability for the actions of Holland America’s employees. He seeks compensation for a range of damages, including permanent physical injury, pain and suffering, medical expenses, emotional trauma, loss of enjoyment of life, and diminished quality of his cruise experience. His complaint emphasizes the lifelong consequences of the injury, particularly the inability to perform daily tasks due to the persistent shoulder dislocation and related mobility challenges.

The lawsuit also seeks to recover the cost of the cruise and related travel, which Gilbert alleges were rendered worthless due to the injury that occurred near the beginning of his planned shore excursion.

Speak With a Cruise Ship Scooter Injury Attorney if You Were Hurt Disembarking Due to Crew Negligence

Cruise lines have a legal obligation to ensure the safe disembarkation of all passengers, especially those with mobility devices or physical limitations. When disembarkation areas are crowded with carts, cargo, or insufficiently trained crew, passengers face unnecessary risks. If you or a loved one were injured while disembarking due to unsafe conditions or crew mishandling, you may be entitled to compensation under maritime law.

Contact us now to speak with a cruise ship disembarkation injury lawyer and learn more about your rights.

Nevada Woman Sues Holland America After Tripping on Hidden Hazard in Cabin Aboard M/S Volendam

Bonnie Eichel, a resident of Nevada, has filed a maritime personal injury lawsuit against Holland America Line in the Western District of Washington. The lawsuit, filed under Case No. 2:25-cv-00901-KKE, alleges that Eichel suffered severe and permanent injuries after tripping over an elevated floor protrusion in her cabin aboard the M/S Volendam on June 16, 2024.

Cruise Passenger Claims She Fell in Cabin Due to Hidden Raised Surface on Route to Balcony

According to the complaint, Eichel was a fare-paying guest aboard the Volendam when she encountered a concealed hazard inside her private stateroom. While walking toward the balcony, she allegedly tripped over a raised section of the floor that was not readily visible or marked. The lawsuit states that the protrusion was built into the flooring and was not an open or obvious condition that a passenger would be able to avoid.

Eichel asserts that the fall resulted in fractures to her sacrum and tailbone in three locations, causing significant pain and long-term disability. Her attorneys argue that Holland America had a duty to maintain all areas of the ship, including individual cabins, in a reasonably safe condition for its passengers and to warn of hidden hazards that could lead to injury.

Lawsuit Alleges Holland America Failed to Inspect, Maintain, and Warn About Dangerous Cabin Floor Conditions

Eichel’s complaint outlines several alleged failures on the part of Holland America and its crew, including the failure to inspect the cabin floor, remedy known hazards, or issue warnings regarding the dangerous condition. The suit claims that Holland America had either actual or constructive knowledge of the floor defect, and that it failed to take reasonable steps to address the issue before the incident occurred.

The lawsuit emphasizes that the floor protrusion was not only poorly designed but also placed in a foreseeable path of passenger travel—specifically between the cabin and its balcony area. Eichel’s legal team contends that proper inspection and maintenance protocols should have identified and corrected the issue, or at minimum required placement of a warning or barrier to alert guests to the tripping hazard.

Plaintiff’s Legal Team Cites Violations of Maritime Safety Standards and Passenger Protection Laws

As a common carrier under maritime law, Holland America is subject to heightened duties of care for its passengers. The lawsuit invokes 46 U.S.C. §30509, which prohibits cruise lines from disclaiming liability for personal injuries caused by their own negligence or that of their agents or employees. Eichel’s attorneys argue that her injuries stem directly from the cruise line’s failure to meet these statutory obligations.

The complaint further asserts that the protruding surface in the stateroom should have been eliminated through basic design standards, risk assessments, or safety audits. It alleges that Holland America not only created or permitted the hazard to exist, but also failed to implement policies or crew training necessary to detect and prevent such risks from affecting passengers.

Injured Cruise Passenger Seeks Damages for Permanent Injury, Pain, and Lost Cruise Value

Eichel’s injuries include multiple fractures to the sacral area, resulting in ongoing pain, physical limitations, and diminished enjoyment of life. She is seeking compensation for both economic and non-economic damages, including medical expenses, lost income, physical pain and suffering, and the lost value of her cruise vacation. Her attorneys describe the damages as permanent and continuing in nature.

The complaint also notes that Eichel’s injuries have impaired her capacity to perform daily activities and have led to substantial emotional distress and reduced quality of life. She requests a jury trial and seeks a full range of compensatory damages available under maritime law.

Contact a Cruise Ship Cabin Injury Lawyer if You Were Hurt by a Hidden Hazard Aboard a Vessel

Cruise ship passengers are entitled to safe accommodations free from hidden dangers. When cruise lines fail to design, inspect, or maintain passenger cabins properly, and guests are injured as a result, those companies may be held liable under maritime law. If you or someone you care about was hurt due to an unsafe condition inside a cruise ship cabin, you may be eligible for compensation.

Contact us now to speak with an experienced cruise ship injury attorney and learn more about your legal rights.

Tennessee Man Sues Seabourn and Holland America After Knee Injury During Emergency Tender Transfer Near Tobago

Brian Krueger, a resident of Tennessee, has filed a personal injury lawsuit against Seabourn Cruise Line Limited and Holland America in the Western District of Washington. The complaint, filed under Case No. 2:25-cv-00830-DWC, alleges that Krueger suffered severe injuries to his left knee while attempting to assist another passenger during an emergency reboarding from a local vessel to the Seabourn Ovation off the coast of Tobago on December 9, 2024.

Cruise Passenger Injured While Assisting During Emergency Tender Boarding Onto Seabourn Ovation

According to the complaint, Krueger was returning to the Seabourn Ovation with another guest who was experiencing a medical emergency. A local vessel transported them back to the cruise ship, and Seabourn had been notified in advance of the emergency and the plan to dock at the ship’s tender platform. Despite this notice, the lawsuit alleges that the ship failed to provide adequate crew assistance at the platform to ensure the safe transfer of passengers from the tender.

Krueger, in an effort to stabilize and assist the emergency passenger, was injured when the transfer process became unstable due to the lack of staff support. He claims that he sustained serious trauma to his left knee, resulting in medical treatment and ongoing disability that may require total knee replacement.

Lawsuit Claims Seabourn Failed to Provide Adequate Crew and Transfer Safety Protocols

The lawsuit asserts that Seabourn and its affiliates, including Holland America Line, were negligent in failing to properly prepare for the arrival of a known emergency medical situation. Krueger alleges that the cruise line did not position trained personnel at the tender platform, failed to give adequate safety instructions, and had no clear procedures for managing emergency passenger transfers from local vessels.

The complaint specifically points to a lack of risk assessment and inadequate crew training for handling non-routine boarding scenarios, such as a tender-to-ship transfer involving an injured guest. Krueger’s legal team argues that cruise lines have a heightened duty of care during these types of transfers and that Seabourn breached its obligations by failing to ensure passenger safety under foreseeable and preventable circumstances.

Passenger Alleges Negligence by Seabourn and Holland America Resulted in Long-Term Disability

Krueger asserts that he gave notice of his injuries and intent to file a claim while still aboard the Seabourn Ovation. The complaint outlines that his knee injury has caused ongoing pain, limited mobility, and permanent physical impairment. It further notes that Krueger has incurred medical expenses related to the injury and anticipates additional treatment, including a future total knee replacement.

In addition to physical harm, Krueger seeks damages for pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and related economic losses. His attorneys claim that the injuries were a direct and foreseeable consequence of Seabourn’s failure to take appropriate measures to protect passengers during tender transfer operations.

Injured Passenger Seeks Compensation for Emergency Transfer Injury on Cruise Tender Platform

Krueger is seeking a jury trial and compensation for general and special damages under maritime law. He requests recovery for medical expenses, permanent disability, loss of services, and emotional distress, as well as prejudgment interest and court costs. The lawsuit names Seabourn Cruise Line Limited, Holland America Line N.V. L.L.C., and Holland America Line Inc. as defendants, all of which have business operations headquartered in Seattle, Washington.

Contact a Cruise Tender Injury Attorney if You Were Hurt During a Ship Transfer or Boarding Incident

Cruise passengers injured while boarding or transferring between ships and tenders—especially during emergencies—may have legal recourse under maritime law. Cruise lines are responsible for ensuring these operations are properly staffed, supervised, and carried out with the highest standard of care. If you or someone you love was injured during a cruise ship boarding or emergency transfer, you may be entitled to compensation.

Contact us now to speak with a cruise ship tender injury attorney and learn how we can help protect your rights.

Ohio Woman Sues Holland America After Hand Crushed by Defective Pool Chair on M/S Eurodam

Cathleen Daily-Gorrell, a cruise passenger from Ohio, has filed a personal injury and product liability lawsuit against Holland America Line in the Western District of Washington. The complaint, filed under Case No. 2:25-cv-00447-JLR, alleges that Daily-Gorrell suffered severe and permanent hand injuries when a pool chair aboard the M/S Eurodam collapsed on her right hand on January 26, 2024.

Cruise Passenger’s Hand Crushed by Pool Chair Adjustment Mechanism Aboard Holland America’s Eurodam

According to the lawsuit, Daily-Gorrell’s dominant right hand became trapped in the adjustment mechanism of a poolside lounge chair while she was aboard the M/S Eurodam as a fare-paying passenger. Despite calling out for assistance, the complaint alleges that no Holland America crew members responded. Eventually, three fellow passengers intervened to free her hand, which had been lodged for an extended period of time.

As a result of the incident, Daily-Gorrell suffered multiple fractures to her ring and pinky fingers and sustained nerve damage throughout her right hand. Her attorneys assert the injuries are both severe and permanent, impacting her ability to perform daily tasks and causing long-term pain, disfigurement, and emotional distress.

Holland America Accused of Failing to Maintain or Inspect Dangerous Pool Deck Furniture

The lawsuit alleges that Holland America had prior knowledge—both actual and constructive—of the hazards associated with the specific model of pool chair involved in the incident. It claims the chair had a known propensity to collapse or slam shut on users’ extremities due to its adjustment mechanism, and that the cruise line failed to inspect, maintain, or secure the chair appropriately.

Daily-Gorrell’s attorneys argue that crew members were responsible for setting up the chair and should have been present in the area during passenger use. The complaint also states that Holland America failed to implement or enforce proper safety protocols and inspection routines, and that it neglected to warn passengers about the risk of injury from the chair’s mechanism.

Lawsuit Asserts Defective Chair Design and Manufacturing Contributed to Injury on Eurodam

In addition to general negligence claims, the lawsuit includes two product liability counts against the unidentified manufacturer of the pool chair (named as “Does 1–10”). The complaint asserts that the subject chair was defectively designed, unreasonably dangerous for foreseeable use, and lacked adequate warnings or safeguards.

The plaintiff’s legal team alleges that the manufacturer and related entities failed to incorporate a safer alternative design and were aware of prior similar incidents. The complaint claims that both design flaws and the absence of user warnings directly caused Daily-Gorrell’s injuries and that the chair should not have been in service aboard the Eurodam.

Plaintiff Seeks Compensation for Medical Expenses, Permanent Hand Injury, and Diminished Quality of Life

Daily-Gorrell is seeking damages for medical costs, permanent disability, pain and suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life. The injuries, according to the complaint, have resulted in long-term impairment to her right hand, limiting her independence and ability to perform routine tasks. She also seeks compensation for lost wages, diminished future earning capacity, and the emotional toll of the incident.

The complaint emphasizes that her injuries are permanent and continuing in nature and requests a jury trial to determine liability and appropriate compensation under maritime law.

Contact a Cruise Ship Pool Deck Injury Lawyer if You Were Hurt by Defective Furniture Onboard

Cruise passengers injured by defective or poorly maintained onboard amenities—such as pool chairs, loungers, or gym equipment—may be entitled to compensation under maritime law. Cruise lines have a legal duty to ensure that all passenger-accessible equipment is safe, properly maintained, and regularly inspected. If you or a loved one was hurt by a dangerous pool deck condition or faulty onboard furniture, you may have grounds for a lawsuit.

Contact us now to speak with a cruise ship injury attorney experienced in onboard product liability claims.

Oklahoma Woman Sues Holland America After Tripping Over Balcony Threshold on M/S Rotterdam

Joyce Hays, a cruise passenger from Oklahoma, has filed a personal injury lawsuit against Holland America Line N.V. in the Western District of Washington. The lawsuit, filed under Case No. 2:25-cv-00287-JLR, alleges that Hays suffered a broken hip after tripping over a hazardous threshold while exiting her stateroom onto the balcony aboard the M/S Rotterdam on March 26, 2024.

Cruise Passenger Alleges Balcony Threshold on ADA Cabin Aboard Rotterdam Caused Hip Fracture

According to the complaint, Hays was a fare-paying passenger aboard the Rotterdam and was staying in a stateroom designed to be ADA-compliant. While exiting onto her private balcony around 5:00 p.m., she allegedly tripped over a raised metal threshold designed to accommodate wheelchair access. The metal plate, which retracts when the sliding door is closed and extends to cover the door’s track when opened, was identified as the source of the fall.

The lawsuit asserts that the threshold was not marked, not open and obvious, and lacked any warnings to alert passengers. Hays, then 70 years old, suffered a fractured hip that required surgical replacement and extensive post-operative care. Her legal team contends that the balcony design, intended for accessibility, posed an unexpected hazard that the cruise line failed to address.

Holland America Accused of Negligent Design, Maintenance, and Failure to Warn About Balcony Hazard

Hays’s legal complaint brings three counts against Holland America: negligent failure to warn, negligent failure to maintain, and general negligence. The lawsuit alleges that Holland America failed to inspect or maintain the balcony threshold and provided no signage or warnings to indicate a tripping hazard existed.

The complaint highlights that the metal plate was a feature unique to seagoing vessels, and therefore not something a reasonable passenger would expect or know how to navigate safely. Hays’s attorneys claim the cruise line either knew or should have known that the balcony design posed a risk to passengers and failed to implement corrective measures, especially given the known risks of similar incidents aboard cruise ships.

Passenger Says Hip Injury Permanently Altered Her Life Following Holland America Fall

As a result of the fall, Hays underwent hip replacement surgery and continues to suffer from ongoing pain, limited mobility, and emotional distress. The complaint alleges that her injuries are permanent in nature and that her quality of life has been significantly diminished. Hays also seeks compensation for medical expenses, physical pain, and the lost value of her cruise vacation, which she was unable to enjoy due to the incident.

Her legal team contends that Holland America violated its non-delegable duty to provide reasonably safe accommodations and failed to uphold international safety management standards related to vessel design and passenger areas.

Lawsuit Cites Pattern of Unsafe Threshold Hazards and Inadequate Cruise Line Safety Protocols

The complaint suggests that Holland America has been aware of similar trip-and-fall incidents involving cabin or balcony thresholds and that the company failed to take sufficient action to correct design flaws or implement stronger safety protocols. It also accuses the cruise line of failing to analyze prior accidents or revise procedures to prevent recurring incidents in accessible cabin areas.

Hays’s attorneys assert that the company’s failure to act reflects a broader pattern of negligence in enforcing safety standards aboard its vessels.

Contact a Cruise Ship Balcony Injury Lawyer if You Were Hurt Due to Unsafe Cabin Design or Poor Warnings

Cruise lines are responsible for ensuring that all passenger-accessible areas—including cabin balconies and ADA-accessible features—are safe, properly maintained, and clearly marked. If you or someone you love was injured aboard a cruise ship due to a hidden tripping hazard or poorly designed threshold, you may be entitled to compensation under maritime law.

Contact us now to speak with a cruise ship injury attorney experienced in cabin and balcony trip-and-fall cases.

Missouri Woman Sues Holland America After Trip and Fall on Gangway While Disembarking M/S Rotterdam

Brenda Tush, a cruise passenger from Missouri, has filed a personal injury lawsuit against Holland America Line N.V. in the Western District of Washington. The complaint, filed under Case No. 2:25-cv-00723-BAT, alleges that Tush suffered serious injuries after tripping on an unsafe gangway while disembarking the M/S Rotterdam at a Caribbean port on January 27, 2024.

Cruise Passenger Claims Trip and Fall on M/S Rotterdam Gangway Caused Knee Injury and Surgery

According to the complaint, Tush was attempting to disembark the Rotterdam when she encountered a metal lip or raised edge at the end of the gangway that caused her to trip and fall. The incident allegedly occurred as passengers were exiting the vessel for a scheduled port visit. Tush claims the gangway surface was uneven and poorly maintained, and that no warning was provided regarding the tripping hazard.

As a result of the fall, Tush sustained a fractured kneecap, which required surgery and a prolonged recovery. Her legal team asserts that Holland America failed to provide a safe disembarkation path and breached its duty to warn passengers of known or foreseeable hazards during the debarkation process.

Lawsuit Alleges Holland America Failed to Maintain Safe Gangway and Warn Passengers of Tripping Hazard

The lawsuit argues that Holland America was negligent in its inspection, maintenance, and setup of the gangway, which created an unreasonably dangerous condition. Tush contends that the gangway lip posed a foreseeable risk to passengers and that Holland America failed to either correct the condition or provide adequate warnings.

Tush’s attorneys claim that the cruise line had actual or constructive knowledge of similar gangway-related accidents on its vessels and should have implemented better safety measures to prevent passengers from being injured while embarking or disembarking. The suit further alleges that no signage, barriers, or staff guidance were in place at the time of the incident to protect passengers from the tripping hazard.

Plaintiff Seeks Compensation for Permanent Knee Damage, Pain and Suffering, and Medical Costs

As a result of her injuries, Tush underwent significant medical treatment, including surgery and physical therapy. She alleges that her knee injury is permanent in nature and that her mobility, independence, and quality of life have been impaired. The complaint seeks damages for pain and suffering, medical expenses, loss of enjoyment of life, and the diminished value of the cruise experience due to the injury.

The suit emphasizes that the incident occurred in an area under Holland America’s control and management, and that the cruise line failed to provide reasonable care under maritime law. Tush has requested a jury trial and is seeking all available damages under general maritime and tort law.

Contact a Cruise Ship Gangway Injury Attorney if You Were Hurt While Boarding or Disembarking

Gangways are among the most common sites of passenger injury aboard cruise ships. Cruise lines are required to ensure these transitional areas are safe, level, and properly supervised. If you or a loved one suffered a trip and fall while disembarking or boarding a cruise vessel, you may be entitled to compensation under maritime law.

Contact us now to speak with an experienced cruise ship gangway injury lawyer and protect your rights.

Disclaimer: This blog is intended for informational and commentary purposes only. It reflects the authors’ views on recent developments and lawsuits in the cruise industry and does not constitute legal advice. We are not licensed to practice law in the State of Washington. As of the date of publication, Holland America Line’s passenger ticket contract requires that lawsuits be filed in the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington. Anyone considering legal action should consult with an attorney licensed in the appropriate jurisdiction.