MIAMI (AP) — Carnival Cruise Line has been ordered to pay $300,000 to a former passenger following a federal jury's conclusion that the cruise company was negligent in serving the woman excessive alcohol prior to a serious fall. The jury's ruling last Friday favored Diana Sanders, a 45-year-old nurse from Vacaville, California.
Taking on a corporate giant like Carnival is a massive undertaking, and I have enormous respect for my client’s resilience throughout this 18-month litigation, said Sanders’ attorney, Spencer Aronfeld, in an email. He emphasized that the case underscores the dangers linked to all-inclusive drink packages that promote excessive drinking while urging servers to prioritize tips over patrons' safety.
According to legal documents, Sanders was a passenger on the Carnival Radiance on January 5, 2024, where she consumed at least 14 shots of tequila from late afternoon until late night. She fell between 11:45 p.m. and 12:20 a.m., resulting in a concussion, potential traumatic brain injury, back injuries, and bruises.
Jurors learned that 30 minutes of crucial surveillance footage was missing during the period leading up to Sanders' fall, raising further questions about the circumstances surrounding the incident.
In a statement, Carnival Corporation expressed disagreement with the verdict, indicating plans to seek a new trial and appeal the decision.
Interestingly, this case resonates with another ongoing lawsuit against Royal Caribbean, where the fiancée of a deceased passenger claims negligence after he was served at least 33 alcoholic drinks before dying following confrontations with crew members.
Taking on a corporate giant like Carnival is a massive undertaking, and I have enormous respect for my client’s resilience throughout this 18-month litigation, said Sanders’ attorney, Spencer Aronfeld, in an email. He emphasized that the case underscores the dangers linked to all-inclusive drink packages that promote excessive drinking while urging servers to prioritize tips over patrons' safety.
According to legal documents, Sanders was a passenger on the Carnival Radiance on January 5, 2024, where she consumed at least 14 shots of tequila from late afternoon until late night. She fell between 11:45 p.m. and 12:20 a.m., resulting in a concussion, potential traumatic brain injury, back injuries, and bruises.
Jurors learned that 30 minutes of crucial surveillance footage was missing during the period leading up to Sanders' fall, raising further questions about the circumstances surrounding the incident.
In a statement, Carnival Corporation expressed disagreement with the verdict, indicating plans to seek a new trial and appeal the decision.
Interestingly, this case resonates with another ongoing lawsuit against Royal Caribbean, where the fiancée of a deceased passenger claims negligence after he was served at least 33 alcoholic drinks before dying following confrontations with crew members.
