Washington Woman Sues Carnival Cruise Line After Tender Boat Collides with Ship Near Greenland
A Washington resident has filed a maritime personal injury lawsuit against Carnival Corporation in the Southern District of Florida, alleging that she was seriously injured when a tender boat collided with the Carnival Pride during a passenger transfer in Greenland. The case, filed under Case No. 1:25-cv-24777, claims that Carnival was negligent in the operation of the tender vessel and failed to exercise reasonable care during the embarkation process.
Passenger Injured When Tender Boat Allegedly Rammed Carnival Pride After Sudden Acceleration
According to the complaint, plaintiff Amy Perez was returning to the Carnival Pride on September 15, 2024, after a shore excursion in Greenland when the incident occurred. Perez was seated on a bench aboard the ship’s tender boat—used to shuttle guests between the vessel and ports without docks—when the boat suddenly accelerated and crashed into the side of the Pride.
The collision allegedly caused a violent whiplash effect, resulting in significant injuries to Perez’s neck, head, right shoulder, arm, and scapula. Most notably, the impact reportedly dislodged a previously implanted neurostimulator device, requiring corrective surgery and leading to further complications.
Carnival Accused of Negligently Operating Tender Boat and Failing to Warn or Protect Passengers
The lawsuit alleges that the crewmembers operating the tender boat failed to maintain control of the vessel, accelerated it without warning, and failed to keep a proper lookout. Perez’s legal team claims that Carnival’s employees acted negligently by operating the tender in an unsafe manner, failing to warn passengers of impending movement, and not providing proper safety measures to prevent injuries during docking procedures.
The complaint further asserts that Carnival is vicariously liable for the actions of its crewmembers, as they were performing duties in furtherance of Carnival’s business—specifically, transporting fare-paying passengers to and from a scheduled stop.
Plaintiff Seeks Damages for Physical Injuries, Disfigurement, and Permanent Disability
Perez alleges that the injuries from the collision resulted in lasting physical harm, disfigurement, and disability, along with emotional distress and pain. She also claims an aggravation of pre-existing conditions due to the dislodged neurostimulator. The complaint states she has incurred, and will continue to incur, significant medical expenses and out-of-pocket costs related to treatment, surgery, and long-term care.
She seeks compensatory damages in excess of $75,000 and demands a jury trial. The lawsuit was filed in the Southern District of Florida pursuant to the forum selection clause in Carnival’s passenger ticket contract.
Injured During Tender Boat Transport on a Cruise? Know Your Legal Rights Under Maritime Law
Tender boat operations present unique risks to cruise passengers, especially in ports without docking infrastructure. Cruise lines have a legal duty to ensure these transports are performed with reasonable care and to safeguard passengers during transitions between ship and shore. If you were injured during a tender boat accident or unsafe boarding process, you may be entitled to compensation under general maritime law.
Contact us today to speak with a cruise ship injury attorney experienced in tender boat and docking accident cases.
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.
