Virginia Woman Sues NCL After Slip and Fall on Wet Gangway While Disembarking Norwegian Epic
Regina Gerace, a resident of Virginia, has filed a maritime personal injury lawsuit against NCL (Bahamas) Ltd. in the Southern District of Florida. The legal action, filed under Case No. 1:26-cv-22673-JB, alleges that the seventy four year old plaintiff suffered severe and permanent injuries after slipping on a dangerously slick and misleveled gangway while departing the Norwegian Epic on January 18, 2025.
Cruise Passenger Injured Disembarking Norwegian Epic Due to Steep and Slippery Crew Gangway Conditions
The incident occurred while the Norwegian Epic was docked at Port Canaveral, Florida. According to the complaint, Gerace was directed by crew members to use a gangway typically reserved for staff rather than the standard passenger exit. The lawsuit claims that this specific gangway was wet from morning rain, excessively sloped, and lacked adequate handrails that extended to the base. Furthermore, the plaintiff alleges that NCL staff had placed her luggage at the gangway entrance but failed to assist her in navigating the steep incline despite her age and physical vulnerability. As she attempted to follow her travel companion down the ramp, the misleveled surface allegedly caught the wheels of her luggage, causing her to lose control and fall violently.
Norwegian Cruise Line Accused of Failing to Maintain and Warn of Hazardous Gangway During Disembarkation
The lawsuit asserts that NCL had actual and constructive knowledge of the dangerous conditions on the gangway. Gerace’s legal team argues that the cruise line monitors weather conditions and should have known the surface was unreasonably slippery when wet. The complaint further alleges that the dangerous nature of the slope was well known to the crew, noting that a staff member stationed at the gangway told the plaintiff to watch out because it was steep only after she had already begun to fall. The legal filing points to the presence of warning signs that were tucked away and not visible to passengers as evidence that the cruise line recognized the hazard but failed to provide an effective warning.
Complaint Cites Prior Slip and Fall Incidents on Norwegian Epic and Other NCL Vessels as Evidence of Notice
To establish that the defendant was aware of these recurring safety issues, the complaint references a history of similar accidents involving NCL gangways. The plaintiff’s counsel identifies several recent lawsuits filed in the Southern District of Florida, including Hill v. NCL (Bahamas) Ltd., Garrett v. NCL (Bahamas) Ltd., and Anglade-Dorleans v. NCL (Bahamas) Ltd., all of which involve passengers suffering injuries on gangways due to wet surfaces, steep angles, or lack of proper handrails. These prior cases are used to support the argument that the cruise line failed to implement necessary safety measures, such as applying non-skid grip tape or providing adequate assistance to elderly passengers, despite a documented pattern of similar hazards across its fleet.
Plaintiff Seeks Damages for Severe Shoulder Fracture and Permanent Impairment Caused by Cruise Line Negligence
The complaint brings five counts against Norwegian Cruise Line: negligent inspection and maintenance, negligent failure to warn, negligent failure to render assistance, and two counts of vicarious liability for the actions of its employees. Gerace claims the fall resulted in a comminuted fracture of her left humerus and a fracture of her left radius, which required a complex reverse shoulder arthroplasty surgery. The lawsuit states that these injuries have caused constant pain, limited her range of motion, and left her unable to perform daily activities or enjoy travel with her husband. The plaintiff is seeking compensation for medical expenses, physical therapy, mental anguish, and the loss of capacity for the enjoyment of life.
Contact a Cruise Ship Gangway Injury Lawyer Today if You Were Hurt Disembarking a Vessel in Unsafe Conditions
Cruise passengers who suffer injuries due to poorly maintained walkways, lack of assistance, or wet gangways may have grounds for a claim under federal maritime law. Cruise operators are legally required to provide a safe means of ingress and egress and must warn passengers of any known hazards that are not open and obvious. If you or a loved one experienced a slip and fall accident while embarking or disembarking a ship, it is important to consult with experienced legal professionals to 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.
