Texas Woman Sues Scenic Tours After Tripping Over Raised Laundry Room Threshold Aboard Emerald Azzurra
Sarah Bayley, a Texas resident, has filed a maritime personal injury lawsuit against Scenic Tours (USA), Inc., following a trip-and-fall incident aboard the Emerald Azzurra. The lawsuit, filed in the Southern District of Florida under Case No. 0:25-cv-61385-DSL, stems from a July 15, 2024 incident in which Bayley tripped over an allegedly dangerously elevated laundry room threshold while sailing in the Mediterranean Sea.
Cruise Passenger Injured After Tripping on Raised Threshold in Laundry Room on Emerald Azzurra
According to the complaint, Bayley was a paying passenger aboard Scenic’s Emerald Azzurra when she attempted to exit the ship’s laundry room and tripped over a threshold that was “raised up from the adjoining floor an unreasonable and unnecessary height.” The threshold, the lawsuit alleges, constituted a tripping hazard that Scenic was fully aware of, yet failed to eliminate or properly warn about. Bayley claims no warning signs, lighting, stickers, or announcements were in place to alert passengers to the risk.
The plaintiff asserts that the height of the threshold was unique to the Emerald Azzurra and deviated from standard cruise ship design practices. She alleges that Scenic’s failure to maintain a safe walkway in a common passenger area directly caused her to fall and suffer significant injuries.
Scenic Tours Accused of Negligent Maintenance, Failure to Warn, and Hazardous Vessel Design
Bayley’s lawsuit brings three counts of negligence against Scenic Tours: negligent failure to maintain, negligent failure to warn, and negligent design and construction of the hazardous threshold area. She contends that Scenic breached its duty of care as a cruise operator by allowing a known dangerous condition to persist in a passenger-accessible area of the vessel.
In addition to failing to inspect and repair the threshold, the complaint accuses Scenic of negligently designing and approving the raised threshold during construction or retrofitting of the vessel. The lawsuit notes that Scenic had full control over the design, selection of materials, and final construction of the Emerald Azzurra, and argues that it knew—or should have known—that the raised threshold posed a danger to passengers.
Plaintiff Seeks Damages for Permanent Injuries and Loss of Earning Capacity from Scenic Tours (USA)
Bayley alleges that she sustained serious and permanent injuries as a result of the fall, including physical pain, disability, disfigurement, mental anguish, and a loss of enjoyment of life. The lawsuit further claims she has incurred and will continue to incur medical expenses, lost wages, and a loss of future earning capacity.
According to the complaint, the injuries have required hospitalization, ongoing medical care, and have significantly disrupted her personal and professional life. She seeks damages in excess of $75,000, along with pre- and post-judgment interest, costs, and a jury trial.
Cruise Ship Tripping Hazard Lawsuits Increasing as Passengers Suffer Preventable Injuries Onboard
As more cruise lines expand their fleet with custom-built vessels, passengers are encountering a variety of nonstandard ship designs. Features like abrupt thresholds, poorly marked walkways, and inconsistent flooring between cabin and common areas can create hazards for unsuspecting guests. Under U.S. maritime law, cruise lines are required to maintain ship premises in a reasonably safe condition and to warn of any known dangers not open and obvious to passengers.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a cruise ship trip-and-fall accident due to raised thresholds, poorly lit corridors, or hidden hazards, you may have the right to file a maritime injury claim. Contact our team of experienced cruise ship accident lawyers to evaluate your case and fight for the compensation you deserve.
Contact us now to speak with a cruise ship injury attorney.
