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Kentucky Family Sues Carnival in Miami After Child Injured on Ship Stairwell
What was meant to be a fun and carefree family vacation aboard the Carnival Horizon turned into a distressing and painful experience for one Kentucky family. On April 9, 2024, Natalie Beach and her daughter S.B. were sailing aboard the Carnival vessel when the young girl, while heading toward the ship’s arcade, collided with a sharp, protruding edge on a stairwell casing between decks.
The incident happened in one of the ship’s most heavily trafficked areas—between Deck 7 and Deck 6—and resulted in significant injuries to the child, according to a federal complaint filed in the Southern District of Florida on April 10, 2025.
The lawsuit, brought by Natalie Beach as the parent and natural guardian of her minor daughter, claims that Carnival knew or should have known about the hazardous condition but failed to warn or correct it.
Mother of Minor Passenger Files Lawsuit Against Carnival Over Sharp Staircase Edge on Carnival Horizon
The complaint presents three counts of negligence under general maritime law:
Count I: Negligent Failure to Warn
The suit alleges that Carnival failed to warn passengers—especially children—of the dangerous, protruding corner of the stairwell casing. No warning signs, protective bumpers, or visual cues were in place to alert guests to the risk of injury.
Count II: Negligent Failure to Maintain
Carnival is also accused of failing to properly inspect and maintain the stairway area. The plaintiff contends that had the cruise line been conducting routine safety checks, the sharp edge could have been addressed long before it became a hazard.
Count III: General Negligence
This final count claims Carnival failed to use reasonably safe materials in the stairway’s construction, and did not implement policies to identify or mitigate structural hazards aboard the ship. It also references the cruise line’s failure to act despite having prior notice of similar passenger injury claims in common walkways aboard other vessels.
Legal and Industry Context
Why This Case Matters:
This lawsuit touches on a fundamental issue in cruise ship injury law: duty of care toward children in common areas. Stairwells, buffet lines, and pool decks are high-risk zones where a momentary lapse in safety design or inspection can have serious consequences.
The case also signals a broader warning to cruise operators: child safety features must go beyond minimal compliance—especially in areas where families with young children are expected to walk, play, and explore.
Carnival’s Legal Exposure:
Under general maritime law, cruise lines are held to a “reasonable care under the circumstances” standard, which includes the obligation to identify, fix, or warn of dangers that are not open and obvious. Carnival’s failure to address the sharp stairway edge may be viewed by a jury as negligence—especially if evidence of past incidents or lack of inspection policies is produced.
Implications for Families and Cruise Operators
For Families:
- Parents should always remain vigilant in high-traffic areas of cruise ships.
- Documenting any injury, no matter how minor it appears at the time, is key to preserving future legal rights.
- Be aware that cruise tickets often contain forum selection clauses requiring lawsuits to be filed in Miami, even for out-of-state passengers.
For Cruise Lines:
- Proactive maintenance and thoughtful design—especially in staircases and hallways—can help avoid injury claims.
- Safety measures like rounded edges, warning signage, and regular inspections are not just best practices—they may be legal necessities.
📞 Call Today
If your child has been injured aboard a cruise ship due to unsafe conditions, you may be entitled to compensation under federal maritime law.
Consult a maritime personal injury attorney to explore your legal options. Cruise lines are responsible for maintaining safe environments for all passengers—including their youngest ones.