Tennessee Woman Sues NCL After Trip and Fall Over Broken Sofa Bed Aboard Norwegian Jade
Kathy Boss, a resident of Tennessee, has filed a maritime personal injury lawsuit against NCL (Bahamas) Ltd. in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida. The lawsuit, filed under Case No. 1:26-cv-20587-DPG, alleges that Boss suffered severe and permanent injuries after tripping over a broken piece of furniture inside her stateroom shortly after boarding the Norwegian Jade on March 10, 2025.
Cruise Passenger Injured on Norwegian Jade Due to Broken Sofa Bed and Lack of Cabin Inspections
According to the complaint, the incident occurred while the Norwegian Jade was operating in navigable waters. Boss alleges that she had recently boarded the vessel and was inside her assigned cabin when she tripped over a piece of a broken sofa bed. The fall resulted in severe physical injuries. The plaintiff asserts that Norwegian Cruise Line failed to follow industry standards and internal policies regarding cabin safety. Specifically, the lawsuit claims that crew members are required to perform daily walkthroughs and inspections of guest cabins to identify safety hazards, including deficiencies in furniture. Boss argues that had these inspections been executed properly, the broken sofa bed would have been identified and removed for repair or replacement before she was allowed to occupy the room.
Norwegian Cruise Line Accused of Failing to Warn Passengers of Dangerous Furniture Hazards
The lawsuit alleges that the cruise line breached its duty of care by failing to provide adequate warnings regarding the condition of the furniture. Boss contends that the dangerous condition of the broken sofa bed was not open or obvious and that the defendant failed to communicate the risk to her. The complaint states that Norwegian Cruise Line had a responsibility to warn passengers of dangers that were known or should have been known in areas where guests are invited to stay. By allowing a guest to occupy a cabin with defective furniture without any signage or verbal notice, the cruise line allegedly created an unreasonable risk of harm. The plaintiff argues that she would not have sustained her injuries if the cruise line had properly communicated the hazard or restricted access to the faulty furniture.
Complaint References Prior Similar Incidents Involving Defective Furniture on Norwegian Vessels
The legal filing asserts that Norwegian Cruise Line had actual or constructive knowledge that broken or unstable furniture posed a foreseeable risk to passengers. To support this claim of notice, the complaint references several prior incidents involving furniture-related falls across the Norwegian fleet. These include a 2023 incident on the Norwegian Escape involving defective cabin furniture, a 2022 chair collapse on the Norwegian Joy, and a 2019 incident on the Norwegian Jewel where a shower chair collapsed. The plaintiff further alleges that the cruise line may be concealing additional similar incidents through confidential settlement agreements, which prevents the full scope of prior accidents from being available in the public record. Boss maintains that these prior events should have prompted the defendant to implement better maintenance and inspection protocols to prevent the exact type of injury she suffered.
Plaintiff Seeks Damages for Permanent Disability and Loss of Vacation Value Following Cabin Accident
Boss brings four counts of negligence against the defendant: vicarious liability for crew member negligence, negligent failure to warn, negligent failure to maintain, and general negligence. The lawsuit states that as a direct result of the fall, Boss suffered injuries to her body and extremities, physical pain, mental anguish, and a loss of enjoyment of life. The complaint further notes that she has incurred medical expenses and suffered a physical handicap that is permanent or continuing in nature. In addition to compensation for her physical and emotional suffering, Boss is seeking damages for the lost benefit of her vacation, including the costs of the cruise and transportation, which were forfeited due to the severity of her injuries.
Contact a Cruise Ship Furniture Injury Lawyer Today if You Were Hurt in a Cabin Accident
Cruise passengers who suffer injuries due to broken furniture, defective cabin fixtures, or poorly maintained staterooms may be eligible for compensation under maritime law. Cruise operators have a legal obligation to maintain guest quarters in a reasonably safe condition and to perform regular inspections to identify potential hazards. If you or a loved one was injured in a trip and fall accident aboard a cruise ship due to defective equipment or a failure to warn of dangerous conditions, contact our team of experienced maritime injury lawyers today. We are committed to helping victims understand their rights and pursue the justice they deserve.
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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.
