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Passenger Suffers ACL Tear After Tripping on Wet Floor During Carnival Venezia Stage Show, Sues Cruise Line
Plaintiff Katherine Pioch has filed a federal lawsuit against Carnival Cruise Lines after suffering a serious knee injury during an adult scavenger hunt held on the Carnival Venezia. The event, part of a ship-sponsored entertainment program, allegedly led to multiple guests running toward a stage in a lounge area where wet, slippery floor conditions had not been addressed. Pioch tripped and fell over another participant who had already slipped on the wet surface, resulting in a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and other lasting injuries. The lawsuit seeks damages for past and future medical care, emotional distress, and loss of mobility.
Carnival Cruise Passenger Sues for Serious Knee Injury During Adult Scavenger Hunt in Limelight Lounge on Venezia
Case Title: Katherine Pioch v. Carnival Corporation
Case Number: 1:25-cv-21537
Filing Date: April 2, 2025
Jurisdiction: U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida (Miami Division)
Plaintiff: Katherine Pioch, New Jersey resident
Defendant: Carnival Corporation d/b/a Carnival Cruise Lines
Vessel: Carnival Venezia
Incident Date: January 3, 2024
Location: Limelight Lounge, Deck 4
Lawsuit Points to Prior Similar Incidents and Lack of Supervision During Interactive Cruise Entertainment Events
Allegations of Unsafe Floor Conditions and Staff Negligence
The plaintiff claims:
- The floor near the Limelight Lounge stage had wet, slippery spots that were not visible or warned against.
- Carnival staff, including a master of ceremonies, instructed passengers to run quickly toward the stage to win points, but failed to inspect, clean, or warn about the slick surface beforehand.
- Carnival allegedly had prior notice of similar slip-and-fall incidents in lounges on other vessels.
The complaint references prior incidents, including:
- A December 2022 fall aboard the Carnival Dream in a lounge with a slippery floor.
- An October 2019 fall aboard the Carnival Victory during another interactive entertainment event.
These incidents, Pioch argues, establish that Carnival had constructive knowledge of the risk associated with running passengers during entertainment activities in potentially slick indoor spaces.
Key Legal Claims
The complaint includes three counts:
- Negligent Maintenance: Carnival failed to clean the floor or cordon off the wet area.
- Failure to Warn: Carnival had a duty to inform passengers of hidden hazards, especially while instructing them to run.
- Vicarious Liability: The crew member managing the event allegedly acted negligently, for which Carnival is responsible under respondeat superior.
What This Case Means for Cruise Line Liability in Passenger Entertainment and Onboard Safety Hazards
Cruise Entertainment and Maritime Law Standards
Under maritime law, cruise lines must exercise reasonable care under the circumstances, especially during structured entertainment events that encourage physical participation.
Key questions likely to arise:
- Did Carnival create or allow a hazardous condition to exist?
- Did the crew member supervising the scavenger hunt act recklessly or fail to ensure passenger safety?
- Did prior similar incidents trigger a duty to implement better precautions?
Carnival may argue that the hazard was open and obvious, but Pioch contends the presence of other passengers and the nature of the game prevented her from seeing the wet floor before the fall.
Broader Legal and Industry Implications
If successful, this case could:
- Influence how interactive activities are managed on cruise ships
- Lead to heightened pre-activity inspections of entertainment venues
- Encourage more conservative cruise ship policies regarding physical contests or games held indoors
This lawsuit may also support a trend of plaintiffs challenging non-obvious, transitory slip hazards during structured events—an area of growing scrutiny in cruise ship injury litigation.
Injured During a Cruise Ship Entertainment Activity? You May Be Entitled to Compensation
Slip and fall injuries during passenger entertainment events can lead to serious medical issues—and under maritime law, cruise lines may be liable for unsafe conditions or lack of proper supervision.
📞 Contact a maritime personal injury attorney today to evaluate your claim and seek recovery for medical bills, pain, and loss of enjoyment of life.