In brief
Diana Sanders, a 45-year-old nurse, was awarded $300,000 after a Miami federal jury found Carnival Cruise Line negligent for serving her over a dozen shots of tequila before she fell and sustained a possible traumatic brain injury. Sanders' attorney emphasized the risks associated with all-inclusive drink packages as Carnival plans to appeal the verdict.
MIAMI (AP) — In a significant ruling, a federal jury in South Florida awarded former Carnival Cruise Line passenger Diana Sanders $300,000 due to the company's negligence in serving her excessive alcohol. The jury's decision came after it was determined that Sanders, a 45-year-old nurse from Vacaville, California, was served at least 14 shots of tequila during her time aboard the Carnival Radiance on January 5, 2024. Following this, she experienced a serious fall that resulted in a concussion, a possible traumatic brain injury, and other significant injuries.Spencer Aronfeld, Sanders' attorney, noted the challenges in taking on a major corporation and highlighted the risks tied to all-inclusive drink packages, which can lead to overconsumption and place pressure on servers to prioritize tips over safety. The incident raised questions about the responsibilities of cruise lines in ensuring the safety of their passengers.In a statement, Carnival Corporation expressed its disagreement with the jury's verdict and indicated plans to pursue a new trial and an appeal.In a separate but related matter, the fiancée of a passenger who died on a different cruise ship is currently engaged in an ongoing wrongful death lawsuit against Royal Caribbean, arguing that the company recklessly served him 33 alcoholic drinks prior to his death following an incident with crew members.
