Personal Injury,
Handled Personally
Handled Personally
Holzberg Legal | Your Maritime and Personal Injury Lawyers
New Hampshire Man Sues Royal Caribbean After Lounge Chair Shard Punctures Leg on Ovation of the Seas
Darrin Glidden, a resident of New Hampshire, has filed a maritime personal injury lawsuit against Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd. in the Southern District of Florida. The lawsuit, filed under Case No. 1:25-cv-23639-BB, alleges that Glidden suffered a puncture wound to his lower leg when he came into contact with a defective lounge chair protruding into a walkway on Deck 14 of the Ovation of the Seas on August 19, 2024.
Cruise Passenger Injured by Sharp Shard from Broken Lounge Chair on Pool Deck
According to the complaint, the incident occurred while Glidden was walking on the pool deck when he struck a sharp shard protruding from a broken lounge chair that had been placed partially into a pedestrian walkway. The shard punctured his lower right leg, causing significant injury.
The lawsuit alleges that the chair was either damaged or defectively designed, with a jagged or broken element exposed. Following the incident, the chair was reportedly removed from the scene by crew members, which Glidden claims demonstrates Royal Caribbean’s knowledge of the hazard.
Royal Caribbean Accused of Failing to Maintain Pool Deck Furniture and Warn Passengers of Hidden Hazards
The complaint alleges that Royal Caribbean failed to properly inspect, maintain, and replace defective lounge chairs, particularly those placed in high-traffic areas such as the pool deck. The plaintiff contends that the dangerous condition was not open or obvious, and that Royal Caribbean knew or should have known about it due to regular crew interaction with deck furniture.
Additionally, the lawsuit asserts that no warning signs or barriers were placed to alert passengers to the danger, and no verbal warnings were provided. Glidden claims the cruise line failed to meet its duty to provide a reasonably safe walking environment, particularly in light of previous lawsuits involving similar incidents.
Complaint Cites Pattern of Lounge Chair Hazards Aboard Royal Caribbean Ships
To support his claim, Glidden references several prior lawsuits against Royal Caribbean involving lounge chairs protruding into walkways or causing passenger injuries. These include:
- Sherwood v. Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd.
- Buckridge v. Royal Caribbean Group
- Benson Perez v. Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.
- McCalpine v. Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.
The complaint cites these prior incidents as evidence that Royal Caribbean had both actual and constructive knowledge of the risk posed by damaged or poorly positioned lounge chairs. Despite this, the cruise line allegedly failed to implement appropriate corrective actions or fleet-wide safety protocols.
Royal Caribbean Also Sued for Negligent Design and Vicarious Liability for Crew Actions
In addition to negligent maintenance and failure to warn, Glidden brings a count for negligent design, alleging that the cruise line selected or approved lounge chairs that were unsafe for use in busy walking areas. The lawsuit also claims vicarious liability, asserting that a crew member was negligent in placing or failing to remove the hazardous lounge chair and that Royal Caribbean is responsible for their actions under maritime law.
The lawsuit includes a fifth count of general negligence, asserting that Royal Caribbean failed to implement appropriate training, policies, and oversight for crew responsible for passenger safety and deck setup.
Plaintiff Seeks Compensation for Physical Injuries, Medical Expenses, and Disruption of Cruise Experience
Glidden seeks damages for physical pain, permanent injury, disfigurement, emotional distress, lost wages, and medical expenses. He also requests compensation for the loss of the benefit of his cruise vacation, arguing that the injury significantly disrupted his travel plans and quality of life. His injuries are described as ongoing and severe.
The complaint demands a jury trial and holds Royal Caribbean liable under multiple legal theories for creating and failing to address a dangerous condition on board.
Contact a Cruise Ship Injury Lawyer if You Were Hurt Due to Unsafe Furniture or Conditions on Deck
Passengers injured by lounge chairs, deck furniture, or other improperly maintained cruise ship equipment may be entitled to compensation under maritime law. Cruise lines are required to ensure all public areas are reasonably safe and free of hidden hazards. If you or a loved one was injured on a cruise ship due to unsafe conditions, contact a maritime injury lawyer today.
Contact us now to speak with a cruise ship personal injury 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.
