Carnival Cruise Injury Lawsuits – Elevator Door Claims
When a passenger steps onto a cruise ship, they are placing trust in the cruise line to maintain the ship in reasonably safe condition and to get them from sea to shore in one piece. Part of keeping the ship safe for passengers is inspecting equipment and their component parts. This includes conducting periodic preventive maintenance on elevators to ensure they function properly. They must level properly so as to not create a tripping hazard. Sensors can malfunction and close the doors to quickly, or get stuck. We have handled many cases and claims against Carnival Cruise lines to recover compensation for our clients arising from all types of mishaps. That trust is the legal foundation of every Carnival Cruise injury lawsuit we handle. At Perkins Law Offices, we are currently tracking a surge in claims involving structural hazards and equipment malfunctions aboard Carnival vessels—notably gangway accidents where the anti-skid sand paper material was missing or deteriorated leading to slip and falls with leg injuries on the Carnival Firenze and Carnival Conquest; ladders and bed rails on pullman and bunk beds breaking and leading to falls and lacerations on Carnival Sunshine and Carnival Horizon; broken ankles from a slippery pool decks like on the Carnival Mardi Gras and Carnival Paradise; ceiling panel collapses and the elevator door malfunctions aboard several Carnival ships. These cases serve as a stark reminder that negligence at sea is common place but you do have rights as some incidents can be legally actionable.
Understanding the Legal Foundation of Cruise Ship Injury Claims
Typically, general Maritime law governs injuries that occur during a cruise if the voyage touches a US port. Cruise ship claims, even if they happen in international waters, can still be brought in our federal court system under maritime law. Many of the cruise lines require cruise injury cases be brought in the Florida federal courts to the exclusion of all other states. This rule is found in the terms and conditions of your ticket contract, which governs where the case must be filed (venue and forum selection clause). The ticket also states the deadlines and notice requirements in order to timely give notice and file a cruise ship personal injury case. Maritime law applicable to cruise ship cases is mix of federal common law and rules, combined with federal code and sometimes state law, if the incident occurred within 3 navigable miles of state territorial waters.
When someone is hurt aboard a cruise ship or on a tender or during a transfer from ship to shore due to preventable hazards, such as wet flooring or defective elevator doors or steep gangways, the cruise line may be held liable for failing to maintain safe conditions. This legal duty forms the basis for many Carnival Cruise injury lawsuits filed in Florida federal courts.
Our Florida federal courts summarize the standard cruise ship injury negligence case as follows: In order to prove negligence on the part of a Defendant Defendant cruise line, Plaintiff must show: “(1) that defendant owed plaintiff a duty; (2) that defendant breached that duty; (3) that this breach was the proximate cause of the plaintiff’s injury; and (4) that plaintiff suffered damages.” Hasenfus v. Secord, 962 F.2d 1556, 1559–60 (11th Cir.1992).3 A cruise ship owner owes its passengers the duty to exercise reasonable care under the circumstances. See Keefe v. Bahama Cruise Line, Inc., 867 F.2d 1318, 1322 (11th Cir.1989). The cruise ship owner must also warn of dangers “which are not apparent and obvious to the passenger.” Luby v. Carnival Cruise Lines, Inc., 633 F.Supp. 40, 41 n. 1 (S.D.Fla.1986), aff’d, 808 F.2d 60 (11th Cir.1986) (citation omitted).
Perkins Law Offices, based in Miami—a hub for cruise line litigation—is uniquely positioned to take on these claims. We handle complex maritime injury cases involving:
- Slip and fall accidents on wet or steep surfaces.
- Excursion accidents.
- Trip and falls on thresholds.
- Sexual Assault on a Cruise
- Over serving alcohol.
- Aquatic Park and Kid Zone accidents.
- Water slide accidents
- Food allergies and Anaphylactic shock.
- Medical malpractice by ship medical center.
- Burns from hot decks and fires.
- Legionnaires Disease and Norovirus Outbreak
- Structural failures like ceiling collapses, loose railings and unsecured gangways.
- Mechanical failures, including elevator malfunctions and automatic sliding doors.
- Cruise ship negligence in maintenance and repair.
Why Choose Perkins Law Offices for Your Cruise Ship Injury Claim
Attorney Alexander Perkins has handled dozens of cruise ship accident cases under federal maritime law. What sets our firm apart is our readiness and our deep experience with cruise lines based out of Florida ports. Carnival Cruise injury lawsuits are not ordinary personal injury cases. Carnival is notoriously stingy and defends every case like it is their last. Perkins Personal Injury Lawyers has:
- In-depth knowledge of maritime law and the cruise lines
- Aggressive legal strategy within the 1-year filing deadline under the cruise ticket contract
- Access to expert witnesses in ship safety, medicine, nautical engineering, and mechanical engineering
We have successfully litigated against major cruise lines including Carnival Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, Celebrity Cruises, and Norwegian Cruise Lines. We offer each client:
- Direct attorney access-talk to your lawyer. Real Lawyers. Real Cases.
- Free consultations, calls and you do not pay us anything upfront.
- No fee unless we win money for you!
What Should You Do If You Were Injured on a Carnival Cruise?
Most injured passengers ask, “Can I sue Carnival for my injury?” or “What lawyer should I contact after a cruise ship accident?” A Miami cruise ship lawyer or Miami maritime lawyer is the type of lawyer you want and need. A cruise ship injury lawyer is a maritime lawyer. Perkins Law Offices is rated among the best injury lawyers in Miami, having been nominated to SuperLawyers for 17 years running, and enjoy a AV Preeminent rating with Martinadale-Hubble. If you are injured on a cruise ship due to cruise line or crew member negligence, your best lawyer option is one who practices maritime law out of Miami. Cruise ship lawyers in Miami see the most cases because most cruise injury cases must be brought here.
The first step is to preserve your rights:
- Report the incident immediately to onboard staff and obtain a copy of the accident report.
- Take photos or videos of the hazardous condition and the injury.
- Seek prompt medical treatment—onboard and once ashore.
- Contact a cruise ship injury attorney in Miami as soon as possible. 305-741-5297
Time is not on your side. Carnival’s passenger contract often limits lawsuits to one year from the date of the incident, and filings must be made in the Southern District of Florida.
Common Types of Injuries from Cruise Ship Accidents
Carnival Cruise injury lawsuits most frequently involve:
- Broken bones from slip and falls
- Head injuries from mechanical failures
- Lacerations from broken or poorly maintained surfaces and equipment like ladders on bunk beds
- Spinal injuries from structural collapse like ceiling panels that fall down, or chairs that break.
- Psychological trauma, especially in elevator entrapment, sex assault or fall-through-floor scenarios
These are not just injuries—they are life disruptions. Medical bills, lost wages, and ongoing pain are all compensable under maritime law.
Carnival Cruise Injury Lawsuits Elevator Door Claims
Carnival Cruise Lines’ Responsibility Under Maritime Law
Carnival is legally required to provide a reasonably safe environment. The recent lawsuits highlight a pattern of avoidable safety violations:
- Failure to inspect and repair deck surfaces
- Inadequate elevator safety sensors
- Lack of proper signage and hazard warnings
These are not unfortunate events—they are signs of negligence. And when passengers are hurt due to that negligence, the law allows for recovery of damages.
Your Rights as a Passenger
Many people wonder: “What are my rights if I was injured on a Carnival Cruise?”
You have the right to:
- File a personal injury claim under maritime law
- Recover damages for pain, suffering, and lost income
- Hold the cruise line accountable for unsafe conditions
If you were injured on the Mardi Gras, Jubilee, or any other Carnival vessel, you have options. But the window to act is short. Don’t delay.
Speak With a Cruise Ship Injury Lawyer Today
Perkins Law Offices is currently reviewing injury claims against Carnival Cruise Line for accidents involving:
- Foot-through-floor deck collapses
- Elevator door crush injuries
- Trip and fall accidents on unsafe decks
- Injuries caused by structural or mechanical failure
If you or a loved one were injured, contact us today for a free case review. We can help you determine if you have a viable claim and guide you through the legal process every step of the way.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I sue Carnival Cruise Line for an injury on board?
Yes. If your injury was caused by negligence—such as unsafe flooring, malfunctioning equipment, or inadequate warnings—you may file a personal injury lawsuit against Carnival under maritime law.
What is the deadline to file a cruise ship injury lawsuit?
Most Carnival cruise ticket contracts limit the time to file a claim to 1 year from the date of injury. Claims must typically be filed in federal court in Miami, Florida.
What types of compensation can I recover?
You may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, future care costs, and pain and suffering. A qualified cruise ship accident lawyer can assess the full scope of damages.
Do I need a lawyer who specializes in cruise ship injuries?
Yes. Maritime law is complex, and cruise ship injury cases require specific experience in federal court. Perkins Law Offices focuses on this exact type of litigation.
How much does it cost to hire Perkins Law Offices?
There is no fee unless we win. We offer free consultations and only get paid if we recover compensation for you.
Contact Perkins Law Offices today to schedule a free consultation. Let us hold Carnival accountable for unsafe conditions—and help you recover the compensation you deserve.
