Texas Woman Sues Virgin Cruises After Trip and Fall on Curled Gangway Mat Aboard Valiant Lady
Tonya M. Meekins, a resident of Texas, has filed a maritime personal injury lawsuit against Virgin Cruises Intermediate Limited Inc. in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida. The lawsuit, filed under Case No. 1:26-cv-20699-CMA, alleges that Meekins suffered severe and permanent injuries after tripping on a hazardous floor covering while returning to the Valiant Lady on March 14, 2024. The complaint asserts that the cruise line failed in its non-delegable duty to provide safe ingress and egress for its passengers.
Cruise Passenger Injured on Valiant Lady Gangway Due to Curled Rug and Insufficient Warnings
According to the complaint, the incident occurred as Meekins was walking on the gangway to re-embark the vessel. She unexpectedly tripped and fell on a corner of a mat or rug that was allegedly raised or curled up. The lawsuit identifies this condition as a dangerous trip hazard that was not open or obvious to the plaintiff. While the cruise line had placed orange cones in the general vicinity to warn of hazardous conditions, the plaintiff alleges these measures were insufficient. The complaint suggests the warnings were not specific enough to the actual hazard or were obscured from view by the crowd of passengers boarding the ship at the same time.
Virgin Cruises Accused of Concealing Prior Trip and Fall Incidents on Ship Gangways
The lawsuit alleges that Virgin Cruises had actual or constructive knowledge of the dangerous flooring condition based on its own safety protocols. The plaintiff points to industry standards and internal policies that require the use of rubberized grips on the bottom of mats to prevent curling and moving. Furthermore, the legal filing makes a serious allegation regarding the concealment of safety data. The plaintiff’s team notes that they are currently unable to determine the full extent of prior similar accidents because the defendant regularly utilizes confidential settlements to shield the facts of previous incidents from the public. Discovery in the litigation is expected to focus on whether Virgin orchestrated the concealment of similar gangway accidents to avoid public notice of recurring hazards.
Complaint Alleges Negligent Maintenance of Flooring Surfaces and Failure to Follow Safety Procedures
In addition to the specific failure to warn, the lawsuit claims that Virgin Cruises failed to properly maintain the gangway area in a reasonably safe condition. The complaint argues that the cruise line did not adequately inspect the walkway to ensure the flooring was free of trip hazards. It further alleges that the defendant failed to utilize a reasonably safe flooring surface or non-slip materials suitable for the anticipated high volume of passenger traffic on the gangway. By failing to enforce policies regarding the monitoring and maintenance of these rugs, the cruise line allegedly allowed a foreseeable hazard to persist, directly leading to the plaintiff’s fall.
Plaintiff Seeks Damages for Permanent Injuries and Lost Cruise Value Following Gangway Accident
Meekins brings three counts of negligence against Virgin Cruises: general negligence, negligent failure to warn, and negligent failure to maintain. She claims that as a direct result of the cruise line’s breach of duty, she suffered injuries to her body and extremities, physical pain, mental anguish, and a loss of enjoyment of life. The lawsuit states that these injuries have resulted in medical expenses, lost wages, and a permanent impairment of her ability to work. Beyond the physical and financial toll, the plaintiff seeks compensation for the lost benefit of her vacation and transportation costs, claiming the incident effectively ended the value of her cruise experience.
Contact a Cruise Ship Gangway Injury Lawyer Today if You Were Hurt Boarding a Vessel in Unsafe Conditions
Cruise passengers who sustain injuries due to tripped rugs, curled mats, or poorly maintained gangways may be eligible for compensation under federal maritime law. Cruise operators like Virgin Cruises are legally required to maintain all walkways and boarding areas in a safe manner to protect travelers from foreseeable trip and fall hazards. If you or a loved one suffered a serious injury during a cruise ship boarding process or while using a gangway, our team of experienced maritime attorneys is ready to provide guidance. We can help you navigate the complexities of filing a claim against a major cruise line and ensure your rights are protected.
Contact us now to speak with a cruise ship and maritime injury attorney.
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.
