A passenger claims he suffered severe burns after walking barefoot on a hot pool deck aboard a Carnival Cruise Line.
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A Carnival Cruise Line passenger is suing the company after suffering burns to his leg on the lido deck.
Jorge Luis Alberio Nuñez suffered second-degree burns in late May 2025 while walking barefoot between the pool and deck chairs on the Carnival Magic, according to a lawsuit filed May 13 in the Southern District of Florida. “Although passengers could reasonably expect that the exterior deck surfaces exposed to sunlight would become warm, Plaintiff could not reasonably have expected that the deck surfaces would reach temperatures capable of causing severe second-degree burns within seconds of normal contact,” the complaint states.
The distance between the pool and the chairs was approximately 20 steps. There were no signs or other warnings about the risk of burns from the heat of the deck surface, according to the complaint.
At least 25 Carnival passengers suffered similar burns on the cruise line’s ships in the six years prior to the incident, and at least 42 passengers complained about high deck temperatures during the same period, the complaint said. The manufacturer of the decking material also reportedly told the company that it could reach dangerously high temperatures in 2014.
The cruise line’s parent company, Carnival Corp., told USA TODAY it does not comment on pending litigation. Lawyers listed for Mr. Nuñez did not immediately respond to separate requests for comment.
Nunez suffered “severe and life-changing injuries” and incurred medical costs for disfigurement, mental anguish, loss of income and other consequences. He alleged negligence and filed a claim for punitive damages.
“Defendants’ conduct outlined in this complaint was not merely negligent; its conduct was willful, wanton, and demonstrated a reckless disregard for Plaintiff’s safety and rights,” the complaint states. The lawsuit seeks more than $5 million in damages and a jury trial.
Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. Please contact us at ndiller@usatoday.com.
