Overview
- A Miami federal jury returned a verdict Friday that assigned 60% of the fault to Carnival and 40% to passenger Diana Sanders, awarding her $300,000.
- Court records say Sanders was served at least 14 tequila shots over about eight and a half hours on Jan. 5, 2024, then fell near midnight and suffered a concussion and other injuries.
- Carnival says it will seek a new trial and appeal, arguing Sanders did not show crew knew she was intoxicated or identify specific bartenders or bars.
- Sanders’ team said bartenders kept serving her despite visible impairment and told jurors that about 30 minutes of surveillance video from after she left a casino bar was missing.
- Attorneys note overservice cases seldom reach a jury, and the outcome could add pressure on cruise lines that promote drink packages and place bars throughout their ships.