Texas Resident Sues Royal Caribbean After Crushing Leg Injury on Unstable Excursion Gangway in Cozumel
Carolyn Levinson, a resident of Texas, has filed a maritime personal injury lawsuit against Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd. in the Southern District of Florida. The complaint, filed under Case No. 1:25-cv-26117-KMW, alleges that Levinson suffered severe and permanent injuries after being rushed across an unsecured, violently rocking gangway while disembarking a shore excursion vessel in Cozumel, Mexico.
Royal Caribbean Passenger Injured During Cozumel Shore Excursion Due to Dangerous Marine Conditions and Unsecured Gangway
According to the lawsuit, the incident occurred on January 3, 2025, during a Three-Reef Snorkel Excursion purchased directly through Royal Caribbean. Although port authorities had reportedly closed the port and canceled water activities due to a severe storm front, the excursion proceeded. Upon returning to the pier, the ocean conditions were described as raging, causing the excursion vessel to rock violently. The metal gangway used for disembarkation was not mechanically secured and was being held manually by crew members using ropes. As Levinson was rushed across the unstable walkway by staff, a wave caused the gangway to surge upward and swing to the side. Levinson was thrown against the pier wall and hung from it to avoid falling into the sea, at which point the rising gangway slammed back down, crushing her foot and ankle against the concrete.
Cruise Line Accused of Misleading Advertising and Failing to Warn of Hazardous Weather During Excursion
The complaint alleges that Royal Caribbean engaged in misleading advertising by branding the excursion as its own and representing it as safe, despite it being operated by a third-party entity, Explora Caribe Tours. Levinson asserts that she relied on the cruise line’s reputation and its employees’ affirmative statements that the excursion was safe to attend despite visible weather deterioration. The lawsuit claims that Royal Caribbean personnel physically led passengers to the excursion vessel even after other pier officials suggested activities were being canceled. The plaintiff argues that the cruise line failed in its duty to monitor marine conditions and provide a safe means of ingress and egress, especially when it knew or should have been aware of the deteriorating storm conditions in Cozumel.
Royal Caribbean Faced Prior Notice of Similar Gangway Accidents and Excursion Safety Failures
The lawsuit highlights that Royal Caribbean had actual or constructive knowledge of the risks associated with this specific excursion operator and the pier location. The legal team cites more than twenty previous incidents involving passengers injured during excursion disembarkation, including cases such as McLaren v. RCCL and Hadfield v. RCCL. The complaint further references public reviews of Explora Caribe Tours that described the operation as unsafe, noting prior instances where vessels slammed into piers or where crew members demonstrated a lack of basic seamanship. Despite these warnings and a history of similar accidents in the Southern District of Florida, the lawsuit alleges that Royal Caribbean failed to implement proper safety oversight or require its partners to utilize safer alternative docking areas during inclement weather.
Plaintiff Seeks Damages for Permanent Disability and Emotional Trauma Following Near-Fatal Pier Accident
Levinson brings multiple counts against Royal Caribbean, including misleading advertising, negligent misrepresentation, and breach of a non-delegable duty to provide safe passage. She alleges that the cruise line’s negligence resulted in a crushed foot and ankle, leading to incredible physical pain, disability, disfigurement, and mental anguish. The complaint notes the traumatic nature of the incident, stating that Levinson feared for her life while hanging from the pier wall. She is seeking compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and the loss of future earning capacity, asserting that her injuries are permanent and will require ongoing care.
Contact a Cruise Ship Shore Excursion Injury Lawyer Today if You Were Hurt During a Vacation Activity
Passengers who suffer injuries during shore excursions or while using unstable gangways may be entitled to significant compensation under maritime law. Cruise lines have a non-delegable duty to ensure that the excursions they promote and sell are reasonably safe for their guests. If you or a loved one experienced a similar accident due to hazardous weather conditions or improper equipment handling, contact our team of experienced maritime injury lawyers today. We are dedicated to helping victims navigate the complexities of cruise ship litigation and securing 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.
