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Illinois Woman Sues Oceania Cruises in Miami After Chair Collapse Aboard Insignia
On March 22, 2024, Nancy Replogle, a passenger from Illinois, sat down at the Waves Grill on Deck 9 of the Oceania Insignia, expecting to enjoy a peaceful moment aboard a luxury cruise. But within seconds of taking her seat, the chair beneath her collapsed—sending her violently to the floor and leaving her with serious, lasting injuries.
Now, Replogle has filed a federal lawsuit against Oceania Cruises Ltd. in the Southern District of Florida, alleging that Oceania failed to inspect, maintain, and warn about dangerous conditions, specifically related to its deck furniture.
Passenger Alleges Cruise Line Failed to Maintain Safe Deck Furniture Leading to Serious Injury on Oceania Insignia
According to the complaint, the chair that collapsed had been previously handled and moved regularly by crew during daily cleanings. Plaintiff alleges that if Oceania’s crew had followed proper inspection protocols, they would have discovered that the chair was unstable—its legs either loose or defective.
More troubling, Replogle’s legal team points to a series of prior incidents involving collapsing furniture aboard cruise ships operated by Oceania’s parent company, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings. In each of those cases, passengers were injured when:
- Chair legs broke or collapsed on Norwegian Joy, Norwegian Jewel, and Norwegian Dawn
- A shower chair malfunctioned in staterooms, causing falls and serious injuries
The complaint argues that Oceania knew or should have known of these hazards—and failed to act to prevent similar accidents on its ships.
Four Legal Theories: How Oceania Allegedly Failed
Replogle’s lawsuit sets out four counts of negligence under general maritime law:
Count I – General Negligence
- Oceania allegedly failed to provide a safe chair.
- The chair could not support the weight of a reasonably expected passenger.
- The cruise line failed to implement proper inspections or repair.
Count II – Negligent Failure to Maintain
- Plaintiff claims Oceania did not follow routine maintenance or adhere to its fleetwide policies for furniture inspection and safety.
- Crewmembers reportedly moved the chair daily while cleaning—but failed to notice any defect.
Count III – Failure to Warn
- Oceania allegedly did not warn passengers of known risks with outdoor deck furniture.
- No posted signage indicated weight limits or structural issues.
- Prior incidents involving similar chairs across the fleet were never disclosed.
Count IV – Res Ipsa Loquitur (The Incident Speaks for Itself)
- The chair was entirely under Oceania’s control.
- Plaintiff was without fault—she was simply sitting normally.
- This type of incident does not occur absent negligence.
A Pattern of Prior Incidents: Legal Notice or Corporate Blindness?
The complaint lists four similar lawsuits against Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings:
- Ijaz v. NCL (2023) – Chair legs broke aboard Norwegian Joy
- Gottlieb v. NCL (2013) – Poolside chair broke on Norwegian Jewel
- Worley v. NCL (2021) – Shower chair broke on Norwegian Jewel
- Chipp v. NCL (2019) – Shower chair broke on Norwegian Dawn
According to Replogle’s attorneys, these cases demonstrate a corporate pattern of failing to monitor and maintain passenger-use furniture, and that Oceania is bound by fleetwide policies that were not followed in this case.
What This Means for Cruise Passengers and Operators
For Passengers:
- Even something as routine as sitting in a chair can result in serious injury if cruise lines fail to follow safety protocols.
- Always report deck or furniture issues immediately and document the scene.
For Cruise Lines:
- Repeated similar accidents involving deck or stateroom furniture may establish constructive notice of danger.
- Courts may increasingly hold cruise operators accountable under fleetwide standards, not just ship-specific policies.
📞 Call Today
If you or a loved one has been injured on a cruise ship due to broken furniture or unsafe conditions, consult a maritime injury attorney immediately.
Cruise lines have a legal obligation to inspect and maintain public areas—and one overlooked chair should never ruin an entire voyage.