Texas Woman Sues Carnival Cruise Line After Fall on Unlit Staircase in Ovation Theater Aboard Carnival Breeze
Cheryl Clower, a resident of Texas, has filed a maritime personal injury lawsuit against Carnival Corporation in the Southern District of Florida. The lawsuit, filed under Case No. 1:25-cv-23729-JB, alleges that Clower suffered a broken hip and other injuries after falling down a darkened, unguarded stair in the Ovation Theater aboard the Carnival Breeze on October 25, 2024.
Passenger Breaks Hip After Theater Show Ends in Darkness and Unsafe Exit on Carnival Breeze
According to the complaint, Clower and her husband were attending a comedy show in the Ovation Theater when, after the performance concluded, the house lights failed to come on. The theater remained in darkness, and Clower, who urgently needed to use the restroom, attempted to exit despite the lack of visibility.
While trying to leave, she fell down an unguarded six-foot stair that lacked handrails and adequate lighting. The lawsuit alleges that Carnival failed to illuminate the area or provide crew guidance to help passengers safely exit the theater. Clower sustained a broken right hip and femur in the fall and was unable to stand or walk. Bystanders attempted to help, but Carnival staff eventually transported her by gurney to the ship’s medical center.
Carnival Accused of Failing to Light Theater, Provide Railings, or Warn of Dangerous Stairwell
The lawsuit brings multiple claims of negligence against Carnival, alleging that the cruise line failed to provide a safe means of egress from the theater. Specifically, Clower accuses Carnival of not turning on house lights after the show, failing to install guardrails on a steep stairway, and not warning passengers about the hazard. The design of the Ovation Theater, combined with poor lighting and lack of safety features, allegedly created a dangerous condition that was neither open nor obvious to passengers.
Clower asserts that the theater stairway’s unsafe design and maintenance violated Carnival’s duty to provide reasonably safe premises aboard its vessels. She claims that the cruise line had actual or constructive notice of the hazard, especially given the high volume of passenger traffic through its entertainment venues.
Plaintiff Alleges Inadequate Medical Care and Emotional Distress Following Onboard Injury
In addition to claims related to the fall itself, Clower’s lawsuit contains serious allegations regarding her treatment by the ship’s medical staff. After being brought to the medical center, Clower claims that crew members refused to use a backboard to move her—even after she requested it and saw one hanging on the wall. Instead, they used a blanket to transport her, which allegedly caused additional pain.
The complaint further alleges that a nurse forcibly inserted a catheter despite Clower’s visible inability to move her legs due to the broken hip. She also asserts that medical personnel failed to provide adequate pain relief and refused to retrieve necessary medication from her cabin. Clower says she was isolated from her husband, who is a stroke victim, and forced to endure bright overhead lights that prevented her from sleeping.
The lawsuit also criticizes Carnival’s failure to arrange a timely evacuation. Clower was allegedly forced to wait overnight—more than eight hours—before being transferred to a hospital via ambulance. Her injuries required surgery and an extended stay in the ICU after disembarkation.
Carnival Cruise Line Sued for Negligence, Poor Medical Treatment, and Infliction of Emotional Distress
Clower’s complaint brings five legal claims against Carnival: general negligence, negligent medical care, failure to warn, negligent design and maintenance, and intentional infliction of emotional distress. She seeks compensation for medical expenses, physical pain, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. The lawsuit describes her recovery process as excruciating and ongoing, particularly due to her advanced age.
Injured in a Theater Fall or Received Poor Medical Care Aboard a Cruise Ship? Speak to a Maritime Injury Lawyer
Cruise passengers injured due to poorly lit walkways, unsafe theater exits, or negligent medical treatment may have a claim under maritime law. Cruise lines like Carnival are legally responsible for ensuring that public areas, including entertainment venues, are safe and properly supervised. If you or a loved one were injured aboard a cruise ship due to unsafe conditions or poor medical care, our experienced maritime injury attorneys can help you understand your legal rights.
Contact us now to speak with a cruise ship injury lawyer.
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.
