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Woman Suffers Spinal Injuries After Cruise Ship Fall

In the middle of summer, Karen Kollinger decided to take a two-night cruise to the Bahamas aboard Celebration Cruise Line’s “Bahamas Celebration” ship. The trip was anything but a celebration. On July 30, 2011, Kollinger was making her way down a staircase when “she was virtually catapulted out of her shoes,” according to her attorney. Kollinger was heading down a staircase aboard the ship when her heel got stuck under a raised metal strip that was supposed to be holding the carpet down. Kollinger fell head first down the staircase and injured her spine so severely that she required cervical spine surgery.

Kollinger filed suit against Celebration Cruise Lines in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida alleging that Celebration was “negligent in maintaining the stairs in a safe condition, which created a dangerous situation,” as stated by her lawyer. Papers filed with the court claim that the cruise line did not maintain the ship in a reasonably safe manner. Her attorney stated the ship was in calm waters and did not contribute to her fall. Additionally, the papers claim that Celebration failed to correct a dangerous condition that it was aware of or should have been aware of and as a result, Kollinger was injured.

Since the fall, Kollinger has amassed over $100,000 in medical bills, including expenses for her cervical spine surgery. Kollinger claims she has suffered a tremendous amount of both physical and mental pain as a result of Celebration’s negligence. The court papers did not specify the amount of damages Kollinger is seeking. Celebration has declined to comment on the suit.

Jupiter woman sues Celebration Cruise Line for negligence, damages, www.sun-sentinel.com May 9, 2012.


Ms. Kollinger left her room on that ship expecting to spend the night enjoying herself with her fellow travelers. She never expected her life would be drastically changed as she innocently descended down the stairs. Trip and fall accidents can cause severe injuries, including brain trauma and spinal cord injuries, and can leave victims with expensive medical bills. Cruise lines are expected to keep their ships free from hazardous conditions and if the cruise line fails to do so, it is liable for injuries caused by its negligence. For the past twenty years, the trip and fall attorneys at the Friedland | Carmona have litigated premises liability cases and have been dedicated to helping fall victims recover the compensation they deserve. Call the Miami personal injury lawyers at the Friedland | Carmona today at (305) 661-2008 today for your free consultation.

The Miami trip and fall attorneys at the Friedland | Carmona handle all types of premises liability cases throughout the state of Florida, including Boca Raton, Homestead, North Miami, South Miami, Miami Beach, Coral Gables, Pembroke Pines, Hialeah, Kendall, Aventura, Fort Lauderdale and Palm Beach. The Friedland | Carmona handles all types of personal injury claims, including wrongful death, defective products, medical malpractice, motor vehicle accidents and construction site injuries. Call today and let our family take care of your family!

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