Washington Woman Sues Princess Cruises After Tripping Over Protruding Metal Plate on Sapphire Princess Deck
Marsha Hawkins, a resident of Washington state, has filed a maritime personal injury lawsuit against Princess Cruise Lines, Ltd., in the Southern District of Florida. The lawsuit, filed under Case No. 1:25-cv-25293-RAR, alleges that Hawkins suffered catastrophic injuries after tripping over a hidden metal plate embedded in the deck of the Sapphire Princess while attempting to view a glacier during her Alaska cruise on September 8, 2024.
Cruise Passenger Injured on Deck 16 of Sapphire Princess While Viewing Glacier Near Crowded Railings
According to the complaint, Hawkins was walking carefully near the railings on Deck 16 of the Sapphire Princess—a designated viewing area for scenic glacier sightseeing—when she tripped on a sharply angled, protruding metal plate extending from the base of the railing into the passenger walkway. The area was reportedly crowded with passengers gathered to view a glacier, further obstructing visibility of the hazard. Hawkins alleges that the plate was poorly illuminated, lacked contrast markings, and was obscured by shadows and crowd density, making it nearly impossible to see or avoid.
The complaint asserts that Hawkins suffered devastating injuries as a result of the fall, including a shattered kneecap requiring surgical implants of a metal plate and fifteen screws, chronic pain, and permanent loss of mobility. She was wearing proper footwear and exercising caution when the incident occurred.
Princess Accused of Failing to Remedy and Warn of Deck Trip Hazard on Sapphire Princess
Hawkins claims that Princess had actual and constructive knowledge of the dangerous condition. The lawsuit alleges that crew members were standing within 10 to 15 feet of the hazard at the time of the incident, had a clear line of sight to the protruding plate, and failed to warn or intervene. Additionally, Princess is accused of failing to remedy the condition, despite its visibility and its location in a high-traffic area that regularly draws passengers during sightseeing events.
The complaint also alleges that the cruise line’s own policies require regular inspection of such areas to identify and eliminate tripping hazards. Hawkins asserts that Princess failed to follow its own inspection protocols and missed multiple opportunities to either remove the protruding plate, block off the area, or provide adequate warning.
Lawsuit Cites Defective Deck Design Shared Across Princess’s Grand Class Fleet
The complaint highlights that the Sapphire Princess is part of Princess’s Grand Class fleet, which includes similarly designed vessels such as the Ruby Princess, Crown Princess, and Emerald Princess. Hawkins alleges that the design flaw—namely, the angled metal plate protruding into passenger pathways—exists fleet-wide and represents a systemic safety issue. Princess is accused of negligently designing, approving, and installing the deck railing system, and failing to ensure that such features were safe for passenger use.
The lawsuit emphasizes that the design allowed for the metal plate to be camouflaged within the deck, with inadequate lighting and color contrast, especially during high-traffic events like glacier viewings where passengers naturally focus outward rather than downward. Hawkins contends that Princess had the opportunity to reject or revise the design during construction or refurbishment but failed to do so.
Complaint Seeks Damages for Permanent Disability and Lost Enjoyment of Cruise Experience
Hawkins brings four counts of negligence against Princess: negligent failure to remedy, negligent failure to warn, negligent design and installation, and vicarious liability for the conduct of crew members. She claims that Princess breached its duty of care under maritime law by failing to maintain safe walking conditions, neglecting to provide adequate warnings, and installing defective deck infrastructure.
As a result of the incident, Hawkins asserts that she has suffered permanent disability, loss of independence, pain and suffering, scarring, disfigurement, diminished earning capacity, and significant medical costs. The lawsuit also seeks damages for the lost value of her cruise and travel experience, which she says was permanently disrupted by the preventable injury.
Contact a Cruise Ship Deck Injury Attorney if You Tripped on Unsafe Ship Infrastructure
Cruise passengers injured by hidden hazards on ship decks, such as unmarked tripping dangers or defective designs, may be entitled to compensation under maritime law. Cruise lines like Princess have a duty to maintain safe walking surfaces, especially in areas with high foot traffic or sightseeing activity. If you or a loved one suffered a serious injury due to an unsafe deck condition, a maritime personal injury attorney can help you understand your rights.
Contact us now to speak with a cruise ship accident lawyer about your potential case.
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.
