Florida Passenger Files Lawsuit Against Carnival Corporation for Wheelchair Injury on Carnival Conquest
A Florida resident has filed a personal injury lawsuit against Carnival Corporation, alleging that she suffered severe injuries after falling out of a wheelchair operated by a Carnival employee while disembarking the M/S Carnival Conquest. The case, Holcomb-Mills v. Carnival Corporation (Case No. 1:25-cv-20993), raises concerns about cruise ship passenger safety, negligence in assisting mobility-impaired guests, and failure to properly train staff handling passengers in wheelchairs.
Wheelchair Injury Incident While Disembarking Carnival Conquest
On April 15, 2024, the plaintiff, a fare-paying passenger aboard Carnival Conquest, was being assisted off the ship in a wheelchair provided and operated by a Carnival employee. While disembarking, the employee allegedly mishandled the wheelchair, causing the plaintiff to fall forward onto the ground.
According to the complaint:
- The wheelchair was under the control of a Carnival employee at the time of the incident.
- The employee failed to properly secure or control the wheelchair while assisting the plaintiff.
- The plaintiff suffered significant injuries, including pain, disability, and long-term medical complications.
- The fall resulted in emotional distress, loss of quality of life, and financial damages due to medical treatment and potential loss of income.
Legal Allegations in Lawsuit Against Carnival Corporation
The lawsuit accuses Carnival Corporation of negligence, claiming the cruise line:
- Failed to properly train its employees on the safe operation of wheelchairs for passengers with mobility impairments.
- Failed to provide adequate assistance to ensure the plaintiff’s safe disembarkation.
- Failed to exercise reasonable care in handling mobility-impaired passengers, creating an unsafe condition.
- Negligently operated the wheelchair, directly leading to the plaintiff’s fall and injuries.
Previous Passenger Injury Cases Involving Carnival Corporation
The lawsuit highlights concerns about the broader issue of passenger safety aboard Carnival ships. Similar past incidents may indicate a pattern of inadequate staff training and failure to properly assist passengers with mobility challenges.
Legal and Industry Implications for Cruise Passenger Safety
This case raises critical legal questions about Carnival Corporation’s duty of care to passengers requiring mobility assistance, including:
- Whether Carnival Corporation is responsible for ensuring all employees assisting passengers using wheelchairs are properly trained.
- Whether the cruise line’s policies and procedures for assisting passengers with disabilities meet industry safety standards.
- Whether this incident represents a broader issue of negligence in accommodating passengers with mobility impairments.
Next Steps in the Cruise Ship Injury Lawsuit Against Carnival Corporation
The case will likely focus on:
- Whether Carnival Corporation had proper safety protocols in place for wheelchair assistance and disembarkation procedures.
- Whether the employee’s negligence in handling the wheelchair directly caused the plaintiff’s injuries.
- Whether the cruise line’s failure to implement better safety measures for mobility-impaired passengers constitutes broader negligence.
- Will Carnival argue that the plaintiff’s injuries were unavoidable, or will this case expose a larger issue of inadequate passenger assistance aboard Carnival Conquest?
Stay tuned as Cruise Lawyer Weekly continues to track this legal battle and its potential impact on cruise ship safety regulations and maritime law.
