New York Passenger Files Sexual Assault Lawsuit Against Carnival Cruise Line Over Incident Aboard Carnival Magic
A New York resident has filed a lawsuit against Carnival Cruise Line, alleging that she was sexually assaulted by a Carnival crewmember aboard the Carnival Magic. The case, L.M. v. Carnival Corporation (Case No. 1:25-cv-21095-WPD), raises serious concerns about cruise ship safety, background checks on crew members, and Carnival’s responsibility for protecting passengers from sexual misconduct.
Background of the Case
The complaint alleges that on March 22, 2024, L.M. was a fare-paying passenger aboard the Carnival Magic when she was lured into the private crew quarters of Carnival employee. According to the lawsuit:
- Carnival employee met L.M. earlier during the cruise and began communicating with her via Instagram messages.
- He repeatedly encouraged her to visit his crew-only cabin, despite knowing it was off-limits to passengers.
- L.M. was able to access Carnival employee’s cabin without intervention from security or other crew members.
- Once inside, Carnival employee allegedly escalated the encounter into a sexual assault and raped L.M. despite her repeated pleas for him to stop.
Following the alleged assault, Carnival employee continued to contact L.M. against her wishes, causing extreme emotional distress. The lawsuit states that Carnival did not take immediate action and only responded to L.M.’s mother’s letters after significant delay, further aggravating her trauma.
Key Allegations Against Carnival Cruise Line
The lawsuit accuses Carnival of multiple failures, including:
- Failure to Properly Screen Crew Members
- The lawsuit claims that Carnival hires crew from countries with limited background check capabilities, creating a high risk for hiring individuals with criminal or violent histories.
- Carnival allegedly fails to conduct thorough psychological screenings to assess a crew member’s predisposition to commit crimes, including sexual violence.
- Failure to Prevent Crew-Passenger Fraternization
- Despite clear policies prohibiting guests from entering crew-only areas, L.M. was able to access Carnival employee’s cabin without any security intervention.
- The lawsuit claims that other Carnival employees saw L.M. entering crew quarters and did nothing to stop her.
- Failure to Monitor Crew Communication with Passengers
- The complaint alleges that Deggan groomed L.M. through social media and text messages.
- Similar cases have shown that sexual predators on cruise ships often use direct messaging to isolate their victims.
- Failure to Address Prior Sexual Assault Incidents on Carnival Ships
- The lawsuit cites more than a dozen prior sexual assault lawsuits against Carnival involving crew members assaulting passengers, indicating a pattern of negligence.
- Despite a history of such incidents, Carnival failed to implement sufficient security measures to prevent such crimes.
- Failure to Take Meaningful Action Following the Assault
- Carnival allegedly offered L.M. only $200 for therapy expenses, an amount the lawsuit calls insulting and dismissive.
- The company terminated Carnival employee’s employment for “fraternization with a passenger” but did not take further action regarding the alleged sexual assault.
Prior Sexual Assault Lawsuits Against Carnival
The complaint references multiple previous sexual assault lawsuits involving Carnival crewmembers, including:
- Jane Doe v. Carnival Corporation (Case No. 1:24-cv-22749-RAR) – Passenger alleged she was sexually assaulted by a Carnival employee in July 2022.
- John and Jane Doe v. Carnival Corporation (Case No. 1:22-cv-20684-RKA) – Parents of a minor alleged a Carnival employee sexually assaulted their child in August 2021.
- Jane Doe v. Carnival Corporation (Case No. 1:23-cv-24052-FAM) – Passenger reported being sexually assaulted aboard a Carnival ship in November 2022.
These prior lawsuits establish that Carnival had ample notice of the risk of sexual assaults by crew members but failed to take effective preventative measures.
Legal Implications for Cruise Ship Passenger Safety
This case raises critical legal questions about Carnival’s responsibility for protecting passengers from sexual assault, including:
- Should Carnival be held liable for failing to properly screen its crew members for violent tendencies?
- Does Carnival’s lack of security intervention in crew-only areas indicate negligence in passenger safety policies?
- Does Carnival’s history of prior sexual assault lawsuits establish a pattern of inadequate response to sexual misconduct by crew members?
- Should Carnival be required to implement stricter monitoring and background checks for crew members?
What’s Next?
The case will likely focus on:
- Whether Carnival had prior knowledge of security gaps that allowed passengers into restricted crew areas.
- If Carnival’s failure to warn and protect passengers directly contributed to L.M.’s assault.
- Whether Carnival’s crew hiring and monitoring practices meet industry safety standards.
