A Florida man has filed a $5 million lawsuit against Carnival Cruise Line, alleging that he suffered severe burns on his feet after walking barefoot on an excessively hot pool deck aboard the Carnival Magic in May 2025.
Jorge Luis Alverio Nunez claims he sustained second-degree burns on the soles of his feet within seconds of walking about 20 steps from the pool to his lounge chair. According to the lawsuit, filed earlier this month, the Lido deck surface was “unreasonably and dangerously hot.”
While passengers might expect a sun-exposed deck to become warm, Nunez argues that he could not have anticipated the surface reaching temperatures capable of causing severe burns almost instantly. The lawsuit notes that Carnival was warned by the deck manufacturer as early as 2014 that the material could become dangerously hot.
Despite this warning, the cruise line allegedly failed to take corrective actions, such as replacing the deck with safer material, posting warning signs, monitoring temperatures, cooling the surface, providing shade, or requiring footwear. Nunez seeks over $5 million in damages for what he describes as a life-changing injury requiring extensive medical treatment, along with mental anguish and lost earnings.
The lawsuit also claims that at least 25 Carnival passengers have suffered burns in similar incidents over the six years preceding Nunez’s injury, with 42 others filing complaints about deck heat. Two previous cases reportedly resulted in foot and leg amputations below the knee.
A Carnival spokesperson declined to comment on pending litigation.
