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New York Passenger Files Lawsuit Against Norwegian Cruise Line Over Trip-and-Fall Accident on Deck 6 of NCL Breakaway
A Brooklyn woman has filed a personal injury lawsuit against Norwegian Cruise Line, alleging that a dangerous raised threshold near Guest Services on Deck 6 of the NCL Breakaway caused her to trip and suffer serious injuries. The federal maritime case, Peggy Eng Jung v. NCL (Bahamas) Ltd. (Case No. 1:25-cv-21328-KMM), brings attention to cruise ship design hazards, maintenance lapses, and Norwegian’s alleged failure to warn passengers about onboard tripping risks.
Trip-and-Fall on Raised Threshold Near Guest Services Leads to Lawsuit Against Norwegian Cruise Line
On April 21, 2024, Peggy Eng Jung was walking near Guest Services on Deck 6 of the NCL Breakaway when she tripped over a raised metal doorway threshold between two carpeted areas. The uneven flooring allegedly created a concealed tripping hazard with no warning signage or visual markers.
Jung suffered a torn rotator cuff and long-term injuries, claiming the elevation change was hidden and unsafe for cruise passengers, especially older guests. The lawsuit asserts that the threshold was not properly maintained, aligned, or contrasted against its surroundings.
Dangerous Shipboard Walkway Design Cited in Lawsuit Against Norwegian for Passenger Injury
According to the complaint, NCL:
- Installed a poorly designed raised threshold with minimal visibility.
- Allowed the surrounding carpet to sink and wear down, increasing the elevation difference.
- Failed to follow industry standards regarding walkway safety, surface transitions, and passenger visual cues.
- Continued to use the same design fleetwide despite multiple trip-and-fall incidents.
The lawsuit emphasizes the risk to elderly passengers, stating that aging-related peripheral vision loss and reduced contrast sensitivity make such flooring conditions particularly hazardous.
Lawsuit Alleges NCL Failed to Maintain Raised Threshold That Caused Passenger Trip-and-Fall Injury
Jung’s attorneys claim that Norwegian Cruise Line failed to inspect and repair the worn flooring and raised threshold, despite knowing that repeated foot traffic would degrade the carpet and create a hazard. Alleged lapses include:
- No routine safety inspections or repairs.
- No alignment or leveling of the threshold and adjacent flooring.
- No warning signs, caution tape, or floor markings.
The lawsuit further accuses NCL of ignoring long-standing maintenance obligations aboard the NCL Breakaway.
Passenger Sues Norwegian Cruise Line for Failure to Warn of Trip Hazard on NCL Breakaway Walkway
The complaint also asserts that NCL failed to warn passengers of the tripping hazard near Guest Services—despite:
- Knowing passengers were unfamiliar with raised thresholds.
- Having training protocols for crew to warn of floor hazards.
- Producing safety videos acknowledging thresholds as a common hazard.
- Including no warnings on maps, signage, or during onboard announcements.
The plaintiff alleges that Norwegian’s failure to post warnings violated both its own safety procedures and international maritime safety standards, such as SOLAS.
Repeated Threshold Injury Claims Suggest Pattern of Cruise Ship Trip-and-Fall Hazards on NCL Vessels
The lawsuit cites multiple prior trip-and-fall lawsuits involving raised thresholds on NCL ships, including:
- Linda Lalusis v. NCL – Piano bar threshold on Breakaway
- Emily Chen v. NCL – Raised metal strip aboard Jewel
- Bendavid v. NCL, Blanchard v. NCL, Parker v. NCL, and others involving threshold injuries in cabins and public spaces
These cases suggest a pattern of threshold-related accidents, giving NCL actual or constructive notice of the risk.
Norwegian Cruise Line Negligent in Training Crew to Prevent Passenger Trip-and-Fall Accidents on Cruise Ships
In addition to design and maintenance failures, Jung claims that NCL failed to adequately train its crew to:
- Identify worn flooring or improperly aligned thresholds.
- Place caution signage in known hazardous areas.
- Inform passengers about safety hazards during onboarding or throughout the cruise.
The complaint alleges that crew training failures directly contributed to Jung’s injuries and violated reasonable maritime safety standards.
Negligent Ship Design Cited in NCL Lawsuit Over Raised Threshold and Unsafe Walkway Aboard Breakaway
Jung’s legal team also blames the design and construction of the walkway, which allegedly failed to meet accepted safety guidelines. Specific accusations include:
- Use of flooring materials with poor contrast and inadequate grip.
- Failure to install sloped transitions or detectable warnings.
- Continuing to install similar dangerous thresholds fleetwide despite knowing the risk.
The suit argues that NCL’s New Build Department approved the flawed design, making Norwegian liable for injuries caused by unsafe architectural features.
Cruise Passenger Slip and Trip Lawsuit Raises Broader Questions About Norwegian’s Maritime Safety Practices
This lawsuit raises important legal questions under maritime law:
- Does NCL’s continued use of raised thresholds constitute negligence?
- Are cruise lines obligated to redesign walkways or use contrasting flooring?
- Can prior similar incidents establish notice and liability under general maritime law?
The plaintiff’s counsel cites U.S. and international safety regulations, including the SOLAS Treaty and IMO standards, which require clear and safe escape routes and walking surfaces.
📞 Injured in a Trip-and-Fall on a Cruise Ship? Know Your Rights Under Maritime Law
If you or a family member have suffered an injury due to dangerous walkways, thresholds, or flooring aboard a cruise ship, you may have a legal claim under U.S. maritime law.
Contact a cruise ship injury lawyer to explore your rights to compensation for medical costs, lost wages, and pain and suffering.