Texas Woman Sues Royal Caribbean After Theater Chair Collapses Aboard Harmony of the Seas
Texas resident Carmen Donovan has filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida against Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd., alleging that she was seriously injured when a defective chair collapsed beneath her in the onboard theater of the Harmony of the Seas. The complaint was filed on April 28, 2025, and is styled Carmen Donovan v. Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd., Case No. 1:25-cv-21923-JB.
Chair Allegedly Collapsed Without Warning During Theater Performance
According to the complaint, the incident occurred on January 27, 2024, as Donovan attempted to sit in a first-row seat in the ship’s main theater. As she lowered herself into the chair, a portion of it detached, causing her to fall to the floor. She struck the deck and nearby structures, suffering injuries to her cervical spine and shoulder, along with ongoing pain, disfigurement, and disability.
Donovan alleges that the defective nature of the chair rendered it incapable of supporting a passenger’s weight, and that the hazardous condition was neither visible nor marked with any warning.
Lawsuit Cites Pattern of Similar Incidents Across Royal Caribbean Fleet
The complaint outlines multiple prior chair collapse incidents aboard Royal Caribbean vessels to establish the cruise line’s alleged knowledge of the danger. These include:
- Hodges v. RCCL (Harmony of the Seas, March 30, 2023)
- Raviele v. RCCL (Radiance of the Seas, October 8, 2023)
- Olinger v. RCCL (Grandeur of the Seas, March 18, 2023)
- Malter v. RCCL (Serenade of the Seas, July 27, 2022)
- Martin-Viana v. RCCL (Freedom of the Seas, November 18, 2022)
Donovan’s attorneys argue that these prior incidents, combined with the cruise line’s alleged failure to implement adequate maintenance or inspection protocols, show actual or constructive notice of the danger posed by aging or defective seating.
Claims Include Negligent Maintenance and Failure to Warn
The lawsuit brings two counts:
- Negligent maintenance – failure to inspect, repair, or replace the defective theater chair
- Negligent failure to warn – failure to alert passengers of the unsafe seating condition despite prior incidents and knowledge
The complaint alleges that Royal Caribbean’s failure to maintain the theater seating system in a safe condition and to staff appropriately for inspections and enforcement of safety procedures contributed to the incident. The plaintiff further argues that the danger was not open and obvious, particularly since the defect was not externally visible.
Legal and Industry Significance: Structural Safety Beyond Deck Hazards
This case adds to the growing body of cruise injury litigation focusing on structural integrity of onboard furnishings, particularly those used in high-volume areas like theaters and dining rooms. While wet decks and excursion mishaps frequently lead to litigation, cases like Donovan’s illustrate the risks posed by failing to inspect and maintain fixtures used by thousands of passengers per voyage.
Given the series of similar lawsuits filed against Royal Caribbean, this case may reinforce the legal principle that cruise lines can be held liable not only for trip and fall hazards, but also for latent defects in fixtures that result from poor maintenance or systemic oversight.
Injured due to a collapsed chair or faulty seating aboard a cruise ship? Contact a Cruise Ship Lawyer Today.
