Florida man sues Carnival Cruise for $5M, claims severe burns from hot deck

FLORIDA, USA — A Florida man is suing Carnival Cruise Line, claiming he got second-degree burns on his feet “within seconds” while walking barefoot on a cruise ship deck.

Jorge Luis Alverio Nunez walked between the pool and deck chairs, roughly 20 steps, while on board Carnival Magic in May last year when he allegedly got burned, according to the lawsuit, filed May 13 in the Southern District of Florida.

“While a passenger may reasonably expect an exterior deck surface exposed to sunlight to become warm, Plaintiff could not reasonably anticipate that the deck surface had reached temperatures capable of causing severe second-degree burns within seconds of ordinary contact,” the lawsuit said.

The lawsuit accuses the cruise line of failing to “provide warnings about the dangerously hot deck,” post signs or notices about the hot deck, monitor deck temperatures, require shoes or replace the deck material with a safer option. 

The lawsuit said Nunez suffered a “severe and life changing injury” and needs continued “extensive medical treatment.” He is seeking compensation of at least $5 million to pay for his medical expenses, lost earnings, disfigurement, mental anguish and other repercussions, the lawsuit said.

The lawsuit claims Carnival had at least 25 similar injuries and 42 other complaints over six years about the hot deck before this lawsuit was filed.

Carnival Corp., the cruise line’s parent company, has not commented publicly as of this publishing. A spokesperson told USA Today they do not comment on pending litigation. 

The Cleveland Clinic defines a second-degree burn as a “the most common type of burn” and a “mild” type of burn that causes blistering, shiny skin, pain and skin discoloration. If the burn is a small area, it can be treated at home. They’re frequently caused by touching hot objects, sunburns, scaling from steam or hot water or reaction to certain chemicals.