Texas Man Files Lawsuit Against Carnival Corporation Following Severe Second Degree Burns and Amputation After Walking on Hot Deck of Carnival Dream
Shane Allen, a resident of Texas, has initiated a maritime personal injury legal action against Carnival Corporation in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida. The complaint, filed under Case No. 1:26-cv-23047-CMA, alleges that Allen suffered life-altering injuries, including a bone infection and the subsequent amputation of his right leg, after coming into contact with an integrated deck surface on the Carnival Dream that had reached dangerously high temperatures.
Cruise Passenger Sustains Severe Burn Injuries on Carnival Dream Serenity Deck Due to Extreme Heat and Lack of Warning Signs
The incident occurred on May 2, 2025, while the Carnival Dream was navigating a cruise that had departed from Galveston, Texas. According to the court filing, Allen was spending time in the Serenity adult-only area located on deck 15 of the vessel. As he attempted to leave his chair and put on his sandals, he briefly placed his right foot onto the deck surface for only a matter of seconds. The complaint asserts that the deck material was so hot that it caused immediate and severe second-degree burns to the bottom of his foot. Allen claims he had been wearing shoes throughout his time on the deck and had no way of knowing the surface was capable of causing such catastrophic injuries in such a short window of time. The lawsuit highlights that there were no signs, barriers, or verbal warnings from crew members to alert passengers that the flooring could reach temperatures sufficient to cause deep tissue burns.
Carnival Corporation Accused of Ignoring Decades of Notice Regarding Dangerous API Syntheteak Decking and Prior Passenger Burn Injuries
The lawsuit alleges that Carnival Corporation had significant actual and constructive notice of the hazardous nature of its decking material prior to this incident. Allen’s legal team provides a detailed history of similar accidents, citing at least twenty-one specific instances over the previous six years where passengers were burned by hot decks across the Carnival fleet. These prior incidents involved various ships, including the Carnival Horizon, Carnival Magic, and Carnival Mardi Gras, and featured similar deck materials. Furthermore, the complaint lists forty-two separate passenger complaints regarding the extreme heat of the decks, with some travelers reporting they had to use wheelchairs for the remainder of their vacations. The plaintiff also alleges that the manufacturer of the API Syntheteak material provided Carnival with safety information regarding the product’s propensity to become dangerously hot as far back as 2014, yet the cruise line continued to use the material without implementing safety protocols.
Complaint Alleges Negligent Failure to Maintain Safe Walking Surfaces and Failure to Warn Vulnerable Passengers of Burn Risks
In the legal filing, Allen brings counts of negligent failure to warn, general negligence, and a claim for punitive damages. The plaintiff argues that Carnival breached its duty of care by failing to monitor deck temperatures or take corrective actions such as installing shading, applying cooling coatings, or spraying the decks with water to lower the surface temperature. The complaint further suggests that Carnival failed to protect vulnerable populations, such as passengers with diabetes who may have impaired healing abilities. Because the cruise line allegedly knew of the frequent occurrence of these burns and the severity of the potential injuries but willfully chose not to act or warn its guests, the plaintiff is seeking punitive damages to hold the corporation accountable for what he describes as a reckless disregard for passenger safety.
Contact an Experienced Cruise Ship Burn Injury Lawyer if You Were Harmed by Dangerous Deck Conditions on a Vacation
Cruise passengers who suffer severe burns or other injuries due to poorly maintained ship surfaces or lack of safety warnings may be eligible for significant compensation under federal maritime law. Cruise operators have a non-delegable duty to maintain their vessels in a reasonably safe condition and to warn travelers of hidden dangers that are not open and obvious. If you or a family member experienced a serious injury while on a cruise, it is essential to speak with a legal professional who understands the complexities of maritime litigation. Our team is dedicated to helping injured passengers navigate the legal process and seek justice for their losses.
Contact us now to speak with a cruise ship slip and fall attorney.
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.
