Texas Woman Sues Carnival Cruise Line After Slip and Fall on Wet Gangway While Boarding Carnival Firenze
Kimberlee Little, 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-22463-KMW, alleges that Little suffered serious and permanent injuries after slipping on a wet and steep gangway while boarding the Carnival Firenze on July 1, 2024.
Cruise Passenger Injured Boarding Carnival Firenze Due to Steep and Slippery Gangway with No Warnings
According to the complaint, the incident occurred as Little was boarding the Carnival Firenze via a tender at an unnamed port. While ascending the gangway, she encountered a dangerously slippery and steep incline that lacked anti-slip surfacing, appropriate warning signs, or crew member intervention. The gangway was allegedly set at an unsafe angle and was wet due to weather conditions that Carnival was actively monitoring. Despite Carnival’s own internal safety protocols and procedures requiring maintenance of gangway surfaces, placement of caution signs, and staff supervision at boarding locations, the cruise line failed to provide passengers with a reasonably safe path onto the vessel. Little asserts she was not given any verbal warning or signage indicating the hazards of the gangway and had no reason to anticipate the risk, as the dangerous condition was not open or obvious.
Carnival Accused of Failing to Maintain, Warn, and Secure Unsafe Gangway Conditions During Boarding
The lawsuit alleges that Carnival had both actual and constructive knowledge of the unsafe conditions. Plaintiff’s legal team references multiple prior slip and fall lawsuits filed in the Southern District of Florida involving similar incidents aboard Carnival vessels. The complaint cites recent cases such as Gilyard v. Carnival Corporation, Thomas v. Carnival Corporation, Dusza-Gillespie v. Carnival Corporation, Pollard v. Carnival Corporation, and Wilkerson v. Carnival Corporation, all of which involved passengers slipping on wet gangways. These earlier cases are offered as evidence that Carnival was aware of the risks associated with steep, slippery gangway setups but failed to implement proper preventive measures across its fleet. In Little’s case, the caution tape at the gangway was allegedly worn and poorly maintained, and the boarding process took place in windy conditions that further increased the risk of falls. Despite these known dangers, the cruise line did not block access, modify the boarding procedure, or offer assistance to passengers.
Complaint Alleges Dangerous Gangway Design, Improper Slope, and Lack of Non-Slip Material on Carnival Firenze
In addition to failing to warn passengers, Little alleges that the gangway itself was improperly designed and maintained. The complaint argues that the flooring material used on the gangway lacked adequate traction, particularly when wet, and that Carnival failed to apply anti-slip surfaces or handrails suited for the conditions. The design of the gangway allegedly did not accommodate the high volume of passengers embarking in variable weather, and Carnival failed to account for passenger safety when choosing the angle and materials for the walkway. Internal Carnival design standards, including requirements for slope, grip, and cautionary measures, were allegedly ignored or insufficiently enforced aboard the Firenze at the time of the incident.
Plaintiff Seeks Damages for Permanent Injuries, Medical Expenses, and Loss of Cruise Value Due to Carnival’s Negligence
Little brings four counts of negligence against Carnival: negligent failure to warn, negligent failure to maintain, negligent design, and general negligence. She claims Carnival breached its non-delegable duty to provide passengers with reasonable care under the circumstances and failed to maintain a safe boarding process despite its knowledge of the hazards involved. The lawsuit states that as a result of the fall, Little suffered injuries to her body and extremities, emotional distress, pain and suffering, lost wages, and diminished future earning capacity. Her injuries are alleged to be permanent and continuing in nature. She also seeks damages for medical treatment and the lost value of her cruise and related travel expenses, claiming that her vacation was irreparably disrupted due to the incident.
Contact a Cruise Ship Gangway Injury Lawyer Today if You Were Hurt Boarding a Vessel in Unsafe Conditions
Cruise passengers injured while boarding or disembarking via unsafe gangways, especially those involving steep slopes, wet surfaces, or lack of warning signs, may be entitled to compensation under maritime law. Cruise lines like Carnival have a legal obligation to ensure that gangways and other access points are designed, maintained, and supervised to protect passengers from foreseeable harm. If you or someone you care about was injured in a similar gangway slip and fall accident, contact our team of experienced maritime injury lawyers today. We are here to help you understand your rights and explore your legal options.
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