Virginia Woman Sues Carnival Cruise Line After Closet Door Falls on Her Shoulder Aboard Carnival Freedom
Jacquelyn Lofton Samuels, a resident of Virginia, has filed a maritime personal injury lawsuit against Carnival Corporation in the Southern District of Florida. The case, filed under Case No. 1:25-cv-23046-BB, stems from an onboard incident on July 25, 2024, in which Samuels was injured when a closet door detached and fell onto her shoulder while she was aboard the Carnival Freedom.
Passenger Injured by Detached Closet Door in Cabin on Carnival Freedom
According to the complaint, Samuels was using the closet in her stateroom for the first time when one of the two sliding closet doors suddenly and completely detached from its frame. The door allegedly fell directly onto her, causing injuries to her shoulder and other parts of her body. After the incident, she discovered that the closet’s wooden frame was broken, deteriorated, and had a gaping hole—conditions that were hidden from view and not obvious to passengers.
Samuels asserts that she had no reason to suspect the closet door was unsafe and could not have prevented the incident. She claims the defective condition of the door was known—or should have been known—to Carnival and that the cruise line failed to inspect, maintain, or repair the area to ensure passenger safety.
Carnival Corporation Accused of Failing to Maintain and Secure Closet Doors in Passenger Cabins
The lawsuit alleges that Carnival breached its duty of reasonable care by providing a stateroom with a closet door that was not properly affixed or inspected. Samuels brings three counts of negligence against the cruise line: general negligence, negligent failure to warn, and negligent failure to maintain.
The complaint outlines multiple alleged failures, including Carnival’s failure to use safe closet door hardware, test door strength, inspect for deterioration, and follow applicable safety standards such as ASTM F1166. Samuels claims Carnival either failed to implement or failed to enforce policies for inspecting passenger cabin fixtures like closet doors.
Carnival Knew of Prior Similar Incidents But Allegedly Took No Action to Prevent Future Injuries
Samuels contends that Carnival had actual and constructive knowledge of the dangerous condition based on prior similar incidents. The lawsuit references Jackson v. Carnival Corporation (S.D. Fla. 2024), in which a passenger aboard the Carnival Paradise was injured when a closet door detached and fell on them, and Hall v. Carnival Corporation (S.D. Fla. 2013), involving a shower door detaching aboard the Carnival Glory. These prior lawsuits are offered to demonstrate Carnival’s alleged long-standing knowledge of risks associated with defective cabin door fixtures.
Despite this awareness, Carnival allegedly failed to correct or warn passengers about the hazard. The lawsuit also asserts that routine cleaning and maintenance procedures should have revealed the broken and dangerous condition of the closet frame prior to Samuels’ incident.
Plaintiff Seeks Compensation for Permanent Injuries, Loss of Wages, and Disrupted Cruise Experience
As a result of the accident, Samuels alleges she sustained permanent or continuing injuries requiring medical treatment. She claims damages including physical pain, mental anguish, lost wages, disfigurement, reduced earning capacity, and loss of enjoyment of life. Additionally, she seeks compensation for medical costs and the lost benefit of her vacation.
The plaintiff is demanding a jury trial and seeks damages in excess of $75,000, consistent with federal maritime law and diversity jurisdiction standards.
Cruise Line Liability May Arise When Cabin Fixtures Like Doors or Hardware Fail and Injure Passengers
Cruise lines have a duty under maritime law to maintain ship cabins in a reasonably safe condition. When onboard fixtures like closet or bathroom doors become detached and fall on passengers, the cruise line may be held liable for negligent design, maintenance, or failure to warn. Documented prior incidents may further establish that a cruise line had notice of a recurring danger and failed to take action.
If you or someone you care about has been injured by a defective cabin fixture while on a cruise, you may be entitled to pursue a maritime injury claim for compensation.
Contact us now to speak with a cruise ship injury attorney.
