Virginia Woman Sues Carnival Cruise Line After Slip and Fall on Hazardous Interior Stairs Aboard Carnival Sunshine
Hillary Mellett, a resident of Virginia, has filed a maritime personal injury lawsuit against Carnival Corporation in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida. The lawsuit, filed under Case No. 1:26-cv-21024-RKA, alleges that Mellett suffered severe and permanent injuries after slipping on a hazardous metal stair component while navigating the interior of the Carnival Sunshine on April 3, 2025.
Cruise Passenger Injured on Carnival Sunshine Interior Stairs Due to Loose and Slippery Metal Nosing
According to the complaint, the incident occurred during the evening while Mellett was descending the interior stairs from Deck Two to Deck One. While holding onto the handrail, she unexpectedly slipped on a metal strip or metal nosing that was allegedly slippery, loose, twisting, or otherwise hazardous. The lawsuit asserts that this dangerous condition was not open or obvious to the passenger, nor was it reasonably communicated to her by the cruise line. Despite Carnival’s duty to provide reasonable care, the plaintiff alleges the stairs were maintained in a condition that invited injury rather than ensuring safe passage between decks.
Carnival Accused of Failing to Warn of Stairway Hazards Despite Knowledge of Prior Similar Incidents
The lawsuit alleges that Carnival had both actual and constructive knowledge of the unsafe conditions regarding metal stair strips. Mellett’s legal team points to the cruise line’s history to establish that the company knew or should have known of the probability of such accidents. The complaint specifically references prior incidents, including a May 2023 case involving a passenger on the Carnival Horizon and an April 2023 incident aboard the Carnival Sunshine where another passenger fell on interior steps due to slippery flooring. Mellett argues that these prior claims gave Carnival ample notice that its stair maintenance and inspection protocols were insufficient to protect passengers from slipping on metal nosing.
Complaint Alleges Negligent Maintenance and Failure to Follow Safety Procedures on Carnival Vessels
In addition to failing to warn the plaintiff, the complaint alleges that Carnival failed to adequately inspect and monitor the subject area to ensure the metal strips were correctly fastened without any twisting or give. The plaintiff contends that the cruise line failed to implement or enforce industry standards and internal policies, such as placing caution signs, installing anti-slip surfacing, or diverting passengers away from hazardous walkways. The lawsuit further suggests that Carnival’s practice of requiring confidentiality in settlements may be a method of concealing the true frequency of these similar incidents, which the plaintiff believes will be further revealed through the discovery process in litigation.
Plaintiff Seeks Damages for Permanent Injuries and Medical Expenses Following Carnival Sunshine Negligence
Mellett brings three counts of negligence against Carnival: general negligence, negligent failure to warn, and negligent failure to maintain. The lawsuit states that as a direct result of the fall, Mellett suffered injuries to her body and extremities, physical pain, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life, and physical handicap. She claims that her working ability has been impaired and that her injuries are permanent or continuing in nature. In addition to seeking compensation for medical expenses and lost wages, she is seeking damages for the lost benefit of her vacation and cruise costs, claiming the incident irreparably disrupted her travels.
Contact a Cruise Ship Stairway Injury Lawyer Today if You Were Hurt in a Slip and Fall Accident
Cruise passengers injured on interior stairs due to loose metal nosing, slippery surfaces, or lack of proper handrail maintenance may be entitled to compensation under maritime law. Cruise lines like Carnival have a strict legal obligation to ensure that all walking surfaces, including stairways between decks, are maintained in a reasonably safe condition for guests. If you or a loved one suffered a serious injury due to a slip and fall on a cruise ship, contact our team of experienced maritime injury lawyers today. We are here to help you navigate the complexities of maritime litigation and protect your rights.
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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.
