Settlement reached in lawsuit over Navigator of the Seas passenger’s death
Court records do not disclose the settlement amount, which is to be paid to Michael Virgil’s son.
A settlement has been reached in a lawsuit brought by the fiancée of Michael Virgil, a 35-year-old passenger who died aboard Royal Caribbean’s Navigator of the Seas in December 2024. The ship was beginning a four-day voyage from San Pedro to Ensenada.
The lawsuit alleged that Royal Caribbean negligently served Virgil 33 alcoholic drinks before he became violent and was tackled by security guards. The complaint sought $75,000. Records filed in U.S. District Court in Florida, where the cruise company is headquartered, do not disclose the final settlement amount. The payment is designated for Virgil’s son, Michael Virgil Jr.
According to the coroner’s report, guards arrived at about 6:10 p.m., handcuffed Virgil’s wrists and secured his feet with zip ties. The report said guards used pepper spray and a doctor administered a sedative.
Virgil was held face down with guards on top of him for three minutes, the report stated. It attributed impaired breathing to the compression and said he stopped moving two minutes after being restrained. He was pronounced dead at 8:32 p.m. The autopsy report identified several factors that placed him at risk of death during the physical confrontation.