Washington Woman Sues Holland America Line After Slip and Fall Near Sea View Pool Aboard M/S Konigsdam
Carolyn Hagberg, a resident of Washington, has filed a maritime personal injury lawsuit against Holland America Line in the Western District of Washington. The lawsuit, filed under Case No. 2:26-cv-01070-TLF, alleges that Hagberg suffered severe and permanent physical injuries after tripping and falling near the Sea View Pool area located on Deck 9 of the cruise ship M/S Konigsdam on April 8, 2025.
Cruise Passenger Injured on Deck 9 of M/S Konigsdam Due to Hidden Floor Trench and Lack of Warning Signs
According to the complaint, the incident occurred while Hagberg was a paying passenger transiting the common areas of the vessel. While walking near the Sea View Pool area on Deck 9, her heel became caught in an open trench on the deck surface. The unexpected entrapment caused her to twist her left foot violently and crash onto the deck. The lawsuit asserts that Holland America Line failed to place any warning signs, cautionary cones, or visible markers to alert passengers to the presence of the structural floor hazard. Because the dangerous condition was not open or obvious to an ordinary observer, Hagberg had no reason to anticipate the risk before stepping into the walking path.
Holland America Line Accused of Negligent Maintenance and Failure to Inspect Passenger Walking Surfaces
The legal action alleges that Holland America Line, operating as a common carrier, owed a non-delegable duty to exercise reasonable care in the operation and maintenance of the vessel. The complaint states that the cruise line breached this duty by failing to properly inspect the floor surfaces of Deck 9 to ensure they were free of defects. By leaving an exposed structural trench obstructing a highly trafficked passenger area, the cruise line effectively created and maintained a hazardous bottleneck. The plaintiff asserts that Holland America Line had actual or constructive knowledge that passengers would be regularly traversing this specific pool deck area and that an uncovered floor gap posed a direct, foreseeable risk of severe tripping injuries.
Complaint Alleges Dangerous Deck Flooring Conditions and Failure to Remedy Known Walking Hazards
In addition to failing to warn passengers, Hagberg alleges that the cruise line failed to take feasible steps to eliminate or remedy the dangerous floor condition. The complaint argues that the cruise line allowed a structural defect to remain in a primary thoroughfare without implementing any temporary or permanent safety modifications. Under maritime law, the vessel operators are required to maintain all walkways in a reasonably safe condition. The lawsuit claims that the failure to properly cover the trench, modify the walking path, or restrict access to the defective portion of the deck directly resulted in the hazardous trap that caused the passenger to fall.
Plaintiff Seeks Damages for Fractured Bones, Permanent Injuries, and Ongoing Medical Expenses Caused by Cruise Line Negligence
Hagberg brings a count of maritime negligence against Holland America Line for its operational omissions and maintenance failures. The lawsuit states that as a direct and proximate result of the fall, Hagberg suffered severe orthopedic trauma, specifically a fracture of the right humeral neck in her shoulder and a fracture at the base of the fifth metatarsal in her left foot. The plaintiff claims these injuries have resulted in permanent physical impairment, significant pain and suffering, mental anguish, and a loss of capacity for the enjoyment of life. Additionally, she seeks compensation for lost past earnings, diminished future earning capacity, and reimbursement for extensive past and future medical treatment necessitated by the incident.
Contact a Cruise Ship Pool Deck Injury Lawyer Today if You Were Hurt in a Walkway Accident
Cruise passengers who suffer serious injuries due to hidden walking hazards, uncovered deck trenches, or un-marked defects may be legally entitled to financial compensation under federal maritime law. Cruise lines have a strict obligation to maintain passenger decks and pool areas in a reasonably safe condition to prevent foreseeable tripping incidents. If you or a loved one sustained a severe injury or fracture while traveling on a cruise ship, contact our team of experienced maritime injury lawyers today to evaluate your case. We are dedicated to helping injured passengers understand their legal rights and pursuing the compensation they deserve.
Contact us now to speak with a cruise ship slip and fall attorney.
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.
