A couple are suing Carnival Cruise Line for injuries they say they suffered during a bed bug infestation in their stateroom Carnival Horizon stateroom.
Catherine Shockley and William Maycock of Maryland took a cruise with the line earlier this year. They allege they woke up in discomfort and “discovered live bed bugs in multiple stages of life, fecal spotting and eggs.”
They detailed their injuries in the lawsuit filed in the Southern District of Florida a week ago.
Dozens Of Bites Alleged
The suit says they have photographic evidence of more than 30 individual bites. The couple “suffered numerous intensely itchy bites resulting in large, painful welts that required medical treatment and medication.”
The infestation caused “loss of sleep, mental distress, loss of personal property and economic loss.” They informed the crew but allege no action was taken, even though the cruise line allegedly had prior knowledge of the problem.
The lawsuit states: “This dangerous condition was known to the Defendant as the crewmembers were fumigating other staterooms on the same floor as Plaintiffs prior to embarkation.”
The complaint, which seeks a jury trial, alleges negligent failure to warn them, negligent failure to maintain the vessel and general negligence. Shockley and Maycock are represented by attorney Grant I. Schwarz.
“My clients were exposed to a bed bug infestation in their cabin that caused painful injuries, emotional distress, property damage and long-term anxiety about travel and lodging,” Schwartz said.
“This lawsuit seeks accountability, not only to compensate my clients for what they endured, but also to ensure that other passengers are protected from similar harm.”
The cruise line has a defined procedure for crew members dealing with bed bugs and is detailed on the Carnival website.
When an infestation is discovered, “the room is chemically treated along with all other cabins within that section. Frequent re-inspection continues for the next several months.”
“When ships are taken out of service for their routine maintenance period, all staterooms receive an extensive pest control treatment at that time, as well.”
A similar, high-profile bed bug infestation and negligence case was filed several years earlier.
