Carnival Injury Lawyer Files Lawsuit Over Casino Bar Stool Collapse Aboard Carnival Spirit
Case: Tammy M. May v. Carnival Corporation (Case No. 1:25-cv-21052)
A resident of Alabama has filed a personal injury lawsuit against Carnival Cruise Line, alleging that she suffered severe injuries when a bar stool collapsed beneath her while she was seated at the Louis XIV Casino bar aboard the Carnival Spirit. The lawsuit raises concerns about unmaintained furniture, Carnival’s failure to inspect and repair seating, and the cruise line’s negligence in ensuring passenger safety.
Carnival Injury Lawyer Files Lawsuit Over Casino Bar Stool Collapse Aboard Carnival Spirit
On April 5, 2024, Tammy M. May was a fare-paying passenger aboard the Carnival Spirit. While attempting to sit at the casino bar on Deck 2, the bar stool she sat on suddenly collapsed, causing her to fall onto her right side and suffer serious injuries.
According to the complaint:
- The bar stools at the casino bar were used repeatedly throughout the day, causing wear and tear over time.
- The particular stool May sat on had reportedly been broken for an entire week before the incident but had not been removed or marked as unsafe.
- A Carnival bartender later admitted that the stool had been reported as broken but remained in use.
- Carnival failed to post warnings, remove the stool, or repair the dangerous condition, leading directly to May’s injuries.
As a result of the fall, May suffered a closed fracture of the distal radius and ulna, requiring surgery and leading to permanent impairment and disability.
Negligence Claims in the Carnival Spirit Casino Bar Stool Injury Case
The lawsuit accuses Carnival of negligence, arguing that the cruise line:
- Failed to Maintain the Casino Bar Seating in a Safe Condition
- Carnival allegedly knew that bar stools in high-use areas like the casino required regular maintenance but failed to conduct inspections or repairs.
- Failed to Warn Passengers About the Hazard
- Despite knowing that the stool was broken for at least a week, Carnival provided no warning signs, barriers, or removal of the hazardous seating.
- Negligent Training and Supervision of Crew Members
- The lawsuit claims that Carnival’s staff was inadequately trained to inspect, maintain, and remove damaged furniture, increasing the risk of passenger injuries.
- Failure to Address Prior Similar Incidents
- The lawsuit cites multiple prior lawsuits where passengers suffered injuries due to unmaintained furniture aboard Carnival ships. These include:
- Tesoriero v. Carnival Corporation (Case No. 1:16-cv-21769) – A passenger was injured when a chair collapsed in her stateroom aboard the Carnival Splendor.
- Klowski v. Carnival Corporation (Case No. 1:21-cv-20808) – A passenger suffered injuries when a bar stool collapsed at the Red Frog Rum Bar aboard the Carnival Fantasy.
- James v. Carnival Corporation – A passenger fell when a wooden chair collapsed on the Lido Deck aboard the Carnival Magic.
- The lawsuit cites multiple prior lawsuits where passengers suffered injuries due to unmaintained furniture aboard Carnival ships. These include:
Legal Implications for Cruise Ship Passenger Safety in the Casino Bar Stool Injury Lawsuit
This case raises key legal questions about Carnival’s responsibility to prevent injuries caused by unmaintained furniture:
- Should cruise lines implement stricter inspection and maintenance protocols for passenger seating?
- Is Carnival liable for failing to remove or repair a bar stool that had been reported broken for an extended period?
- Does Carnival’s history of prior furniture-related injury claims establish negligence?
- What duty does Carnival have to train its staff to monitor and correct safety hazards in high-use areas?
What’s Next in the Carnival Injury Lawsuit Over Casino Bar Stool Collapse Aboard Carnival Spirit?
The case will likely focus on:
- Whether Carnival had prior knowledge of the defective bar stool and failed to act.
- If the lack of warnings and maintenance directly contributed to May’s injuries.
- Whether Carnival’s inspection and safety protocols meet industry standards.
- Will Carnival argue that May should have been more cautious, or will this case expose systemic failures in cruise ship safety procedures?
Stay tuned as Cruise Lawyer Weekly continues tracking this legal battle and its potential impact on cruise passenger safety regulations and negligence claims against Carnival Corporation.
