Carnival Cruise Line Ordered to Pay $300K for Negligent Alcohol Service
A federal jury in South Florida has ordered Carnival Cruise Line to pay $300,000 in damages to Diana Sanders, a former passenger who suffered severe injuries after being overserved alcohol. The jury found the cruise line negligent for serving Sanders more than a dozen shots of tequila aboard the Carnival Radiance in January 2024. Following the excessive consumption, Sanders fell down a staircase, resulting in a concussion, back injuries, and a possible traumatic brain injury. Her attorney, Spencer Aronfeld, highlighted the dangers of all-inclusive drink packages that prioritize tips over passenger safety. Additionally, evidence presented included 30 minutes of missing surveillance video from the period when Sanders disappeared before being found unconscious. Carnival Corporation stated it respectfully disagrees with the verdict and plans to pursue an appeal and a new trial. This case underscores ongoing legal scrutiny regarding alcohol service protocols on cruise ships, paralleling other recent lawsuits against major cruise operators for similar negligence claims involving excessive drinking and passenger harm.
Wire timeline
Carnival Cruise Line Ordered to Pay $300K for Negligent Alcohol Service
A federal jury in South Florida has ordered Carnival Cruise Line to pay $300,000 in damages to Diana Sanders, a former passenger who suffered severe injuries after being overserved alcohol. The jury found the cruise line negligent for serving Sanders more than a dozen shots of tequila aboard the Carnival Radiance in January 2024. Following the excessive consumption, Sanders fell down a staircase, resulting in a concussion, back injuries, and a possible traumatic brain injury. Her attorney, Spencer Aronfeld, highlighted the dangers of all-inclusive drink packages that prioritize tips over passenger safety. Additionally, evidence presented included 30 minutes of missing surveillance video from the period when Sanders disappeared before being found unconscious. Carnival Corporation stated it respectfully disagrees with the verdict and plans to pursue an appeal and a new trial. This case underscores ongoing legal scrutiny regarding alcohol service protocols on cruise ships, paralleling other recent lawsuits against major cruise operators for similar negligence claims involving excessive drinking and passenger harm.
abcnews