Disney Cruise Line faces lawsuit over passenger’s theater fall
Cynthia Manning alleges a bright stage light and unsafe stair conditions aboard Disney Wish caused injuries to both feet and ankles.
A Disney Cruise Line passenger has filed a federal lawsuit alleging she was severely injured after falling on stairs in the Walt Disney Theater aboard Disney Wish during a four-night Thanksgiving cruise to the Bahamas.
According to the complaint filed in Orlando federal court, Cynthia Manning was walking to her seat on the voyage’s second night when a production crew member directed an excessively bright stage light toward entering guests. Manning alleges the light temporarily blinded and disoriented her as she descended the theater stairs.
The lawsuit says Manning tripped and missed a step. It attributes the fall to several alleged staircase hazards, including uneven alternating steps, insufficient lighting and missing handrails. The complaint also claims crew members stationed around the theater and staircase did not warn her about either the stage lights or the purportedly unsafe conditions.
Manning says she injured both ankles and both feet, with the effects described in the filing as permanent or continuing. Her complaint accuses Disney of negligence related to the design, construction, approval or selection of the theater’s lighting and staircase.
She is seeking a jury-determined monetary award covering medical expenses, other economic and non-economic damages, and court costs. A Disney Cruise Line spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment Thursday.