A jury has ruled that Carnival Corporation is 60% liable for injuries sustained by passenger Diana Sanders following a drunken fall during a cruise earlier this year. The incident occurred on January 5, 2024, and Sanders has since been awarded $300,000 in damages, a decision the cruise line plans to contest.
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Diana Sanders, a 45-year-old nurse from California, filed a lawsuit against Carnival in November 2024, citing that she had been over-served alcohol during the cruise. According to court documents, Sanders was reportedly given 14 shots of tequila across various bars on the ship, including the Blue Iquana Tequila and the Serenity Bar, between 2:58 p.m. and 11:37 p.m. on the day of her accident. Her complaint highlighted that, despite showing visible signs of intoxication throughout this period, she continued to be served alcohol.
The lawsuit claimed that Sanders exhibited observable signs of drunkenness, such as swaying, slurred speech, and belligerent behaviour. Her attorney, Aronfeld, asserted that the crew members were negligent by continuing to serve her despite her obvious condition. The court documents indicated that the staff should have recognised her state and refrained from further alcohol service.
The events culminated in a serious fall that occurred between 11:45 p.m. and 12:20 a.m. on January 6, 2024. While attempting to navigate a staircase in a crew-only area, Sanders stumbled and subsequently was found unconscious at the bottom of the stairs. This fall resulted in multiple injuries for Sanders, including a concussion, back injuries, and what was described as extreme mental anguish.
During the litigation process, which lasted over 17 months, Carnival argued that Sanders had failed to identify specific bartenders or establishments that had over-served her. The cruise line’s legal team requested that the allegations of over-service be dismissed, contending that no significant evidence was presented to support claims of visible intoxication at the bars.
Despite its efforts to dismiss the case, a jury trial began on April 6, 2025, and lasted for four days. The jury, composed of eight women, ultimately found the cruise line liable for negligence. They determined that Sanders was 40% responsible for her own circumstances, rendering Carnival liable for the remaining 60%.
Although Sanders initially requested $250,000 in damages, she was awarded $300,000 to account for her emotional and physical pain, of which 75% was attributed to the incident. Her attorney noted that Sanders’ primary injury aggravated her pre-existing post-traumatic stress disorder.
Aronfeld expressed hope that the verdict would encourage Carnival and other cruise lines to reconsider their alcohol service policies. He urged for a re-evaluation of all-inclusive packages, suggesting limitations on the amount of alcohol served in a specific timeframe, alongside improved training for staff to recognise signs of intoxication.
On the other hand, Carnival has responded to the jury’s decision by expressing its disagreement. A spokesperson for the cruise line stated that they believe there are valid grounds for an appeal and intend to pursue a new trial.
The outcome of this case may have broader implications for the cruise industry, particularly regarding their policies on alcohol service and passenger safety. As the appeal process begins, it remains to be seen how Carnival will address the concerns raised during the trial and whether changes will be made to prevent similar incidents in the future.