Texas Residents File Lawsuit Against Carnival Cruise Line Following Violent Tender Boat Seating Collapse Near Princess Cay
Brandi Leber, Patrick Leber, and Carol Susie McCabe, all residents of Texas, have initiated a maritime personal injury lawsuit against Carnival Corporation in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida. The legal action, filed under Case No. 1:26-cv-21305, alleges that the three passengers sustained serious and permanent injuries when a bench seat collapsed aboard a tender boat during a voyage to the cruise line’s private destination in the Bahamas.
Cruise Passengers Injured During Turbulent Tender Boat Transport to Princess Cay Due to Unsafe Vessel Operation
The incident occurred on or about March 10, 2025, while the plaintiffs were passengers aboard the Carnival Sunrise. According to the complaint, the plaintiffs disembarked the main cruise ship and boarded a tender boat intended to transport them to Princess Cay. During the transit, the tender boat allegedly encountered turbulent marine conditions. The lawsuit claims the vessel was being operated in an unsafe manner during red flag weather conditions, with the captain making the decision to navigate parallel to heavy wave patterns. This maneuver, combined with the alleged top-heavy instability of the boat and a lack of adequate passenger restraints, caused the vessel to sway violently from side to side. Under the force of this movement, a bench seat that was allegedly loose and inadequately secured collapsed, throwing the passengers about the boat and causing various physical injuries.
Carnival Accused of Actual and Constructive Knowledge of Defective Bench Seating and Negligent Maintenance Protocols
The plaintiffs allege that the dangerous condition of the bench seating was visible and had existed for a sufficient period of time for Carnival to have discovered and remedied it through reasonable inspection. To support this claim, the complaint includes photographic evidence of the deck surface, which reportedly shows a visibly loose mounting bolt and significant deck wear present prior to the collapse. Furthermore, the deck surface allegedly contained multiple prior bolt holes and abandoned mounting locations, suggesting the bench had previously detached and been re-bolted in alternate spots. The lawsuit asserts that these recurring failures provided Carnival with actual or constructive notice of the hazard. The plaintiffs argue that the cruise line either failed to follow its own written inspection and maintenance protocols or that those protocols were insufficient to ensure passenger safety.
Complaint Details Traumatic Brain Injury and Orthopedic Damage Resulting from Equipment Failure and Inadequate Medical Care
The collapse of the bench seating resulted in distinct and severe injuries for each of the three plaintiffs. Brandi Leber reportedly struck her head on a metal railing, leading to a concussion and a traumatic brain injury. Patrick Leber allegedly had his leg pinned beneath the collapsed bench, resulting in muscle damage, knee instability, and bulging discs in his spine. Carol Susie McCabe sustained injuries to her knee, back, and neck, which later required steroid injections and the use of a stabilization brace. The complaint further alleges that shipboard medical personnel downplayed the severity of these injuries, failed to conduct appropriate diagnostic imaging for head and spinal trauma, and provided only minimal treatment before discharging the passengers.
Plaintiffs Seek Damages for Negligence and Vicarious Liability Following Permanent Injuries and Disrupted Vacation
The lawsuit brings three counts of negligence against Carnival Corporation: negligent failure to remedy the subject bench, negligent failure to warn of the danger, and vicarious liability for the acts of the tender boat captain. The plaintiffs seek compensation for severe bodily injuries, physical pain and suffering, mental anguish, and the loss of the value of their cruise vacation. They contend that Carnival breached its duty of reasonable care by failing to provide a safe environment and by failing to warn passengers of a dangerous condition that was not open or obvious. The plaintiffs have demanded a trial by jury to resolve all triable issues.
Contact a Cruise Ship Tender Boat Injury Lawyer Today if You Were Hurt During Shore Excursion Transport
Cruise passengers who suffer injuries during tender boat operations or due to equipment failure aboard excursion vessels may be entitled to significant compensation under maritime law. Cruise lines have a non-delegable duty to maintain their vessels and equipment in a reasonably safe condition for all passengers. If you or a loved one experienced a similar incident involving collapsing furniture, unsafe vessel operation in heavy seas, or a lack of proper safety warnings, it is vital to understand your rights. Contact our team of experienced maritime injury attorneys today to discuss your case and learn about your legal options for recovery.
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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.
