Virginia Resident Sues Carnival Cruise Line After Sustaining Severe Foot and Ankle Injuries on Water Slide Aboard Carnival Sunshine
Savannah Ward, a resident and citizen of Virginia, has initiated a maritime personal injury lawsuit against Carnival Corporation in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida. Filed under Case No. 1:26-cv-21134, the complaint alleges that Ward suffered permanent and debilitating injuries while using a water slide on the Carnival Sunshine on March 20, 2025. The lawsuit seeks damages for significant physical trauma and negligence, asserting that the cruise line failed to maintain safe operating conditions for the onboard attraction.
Cruise Passenger Injured on Carnival Sunshine Water Slide Due to Insufficient Water Levels and High Velocity Impact
The incident occurred while Ward was a fare-paying passenger traveling aboard the vessel. According to the complaint, Ward was using a water slide that was open to all passengers for recreation. The slide was designed to propel riders at high speeds before slowing them down in a run-out area filled with a specific amount of water intended to bring the rider to a safe stop. On the day of the accident, Ward followed the instructions of the crew members stationed at the attraction. A crew member at the bottom signaled to a second staff member at the top that the slide was clear. Ward was then given a green light to descend. However, the lawsuit alleges that the water level and water pressure were below the minimum operational requirements necessary to safely stop riders. As a result, Ward was propelled feet-first into a hard wall at the bottom of the slide rather than being slowed by the water.
Carnival Accused of Failing to Remedy Dangerous Slide Conditions Despite Notice of Prior Similar Accidents
The lawsuit contends that Carnival was aware or should have been aware of the dangerous conditions that led to Ward’s injuries. The plaintiff’s legal team argues that the cruise line had actual and constructive notice of the risks based on several prior incidents involving passengers injured on the same or similar water slides. The complaint specifically references a long history of litigation in the Southern District of Florida involving waterslide accidents on Carnival ships, citing cases such as Singleton v. Carnival Corp., Anders v. Carnival Corp., Cudzilo v. Carnival Corp., and several others dating back to 2016. Furthermore, the complaint alleges that Carnival custom-ordered the slide and specified its dimensions, yet failed to install necessary safety features like energy-absorbing padding in foreseeable impact zones. The plaintiff asserts that the cruise line orchestrated the concealment of other similar incidents through confidential settlements to shield these hazards from public knowledge.
Complaint Alleges Negligent Design and Improper Training of Crew Members Managing Carnival Sunshine Water Slide
In addition to the failure to remedy known hazards, Ward alleges that the water slide was improperly designed and installed. The complaint states that the material and dimensions of the slide caused riders to reach excessive speeds that were likely to cause injury. It further argues that the slide lacked adequate space for riders to land and lacked an adequate mechanism for slowing down safely. The lawsuit also brings forth a count of negligent failure to train, alleging that Carnival did not properly instruct the employees working at the slide on the date of the incident. Specifically, the crew members failed to ensure that the water pressure was at a safe level before authorizing Ward to descend. The plaintiff argues that had the employees been properly trained according to Carnival’s own safety programs, they would not have given Ward the green light to proceed, and the collision could have been avoided.
Plaintiff Seeks Compensation for Permanent Mobility Loss and Medical Expenses Following Carnival Sunshine Accident
Ward brings five counts of negligence against Carnival: negligent failure to remedy, negligent failure to warn, negligent design and installation, vicarious liability for the acts of its employees, and negligent failure to train. As a result of the collision at the bottom of the slide, Ward sustained severe injuries including multiple fractures in her right foot and sprains to her left ankle. The lawsuit states that these injuries have led to a permanent loss of mobility, strength, and range of motion, as well as chronic pain. Ward is seeking judgment for medical and nursing care expenses, lost wages, loss of earning capacity, and the lost value of her vacation. The complaint emphasizes that these losses are permanent and continuing in nature, impacting her quality of life and independence.
Contact a Cruise Ship Water Slide Injury Lawyer Today if You Were Injured Due to Unsafe Onboard Attractions
Cruise passengers who suffer injuries due to improperly maintained water slides, lack of supervision, or defective attraction designs may be entitled to seek compensation under maritime law. Cruise operators have a legal duty to exercise reasonable care and ensure that recreational features like slides are safe for use. If you or a loved one sustained a serious injury while participating in onboard activities due to a lack of safety padding or improper water levels, contact our team of experienced maritime injury lawyers today. We are dedicated to helping victims understand their rights and pursue the justice they deserve.
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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.
