A Miami federal jury awards $300,000 to injured cruise passenger after finding Carnival negligent in overserving alcohol A federal jury in Miami awarded $300,000 to Diana Sanders, a 45-year-old nurse from Vacaville, California, after finding Carnival Cruise Line negligent for serving her more than a dozen shots of tequila before she fell down stairs and suffered a possible traumatic brain injury. The verdict, delivered last Friday, marks a significant legal outcome in a case that highlights concerns over the risks of all-inclusive drink packages on cruise ships. Sanders was aboard the Carnival Radiance on January 5, 2024, when she was served at least 14 shots of tequila between 2:58 p.m. and 11:37 p.m. According to the lawsuit, she fell between 11:45 p.m. and 12:20 a.m., sustaining injuries including a concussion, headaches, back pain, tailbone damage, bruising, and other trauma. The complaint alleges that Carnival’s failure to monitor her alcohol consumption led to the incident, which the jury determined constituted negligence. Sanders’ attorney, Spencer Aronfeld, praised his client’s resilience during the 18-month litigation, calling the case a “massive undertaking.” He criticized the industry’s reliance on all-inclusive drink packages, which he argued encourage excessive drinking and place undue pressure on underpaid servers to prioritize tips over passenger safety. “This case underscores the dangers of these packages and the systemic risks they create,” Aronfeld stated in an email. Carnival Corporation, the parent company of Carnival Cruise Line, issued a statement expressing disagreement with the verdict. The company claims the outcome is “unjust” and asserts that there are “grounds for a new trial and appeal.#carnival_corporation #carnival_cruise_line #diana_sanders #spencer_aronfeld #miami_federal_jury
Anna Kepner's Stepbrother Indicted as Adult in Cruise Ship Murder Case The 16-year-old stepbrother of Anna Kepner, a Florida teenager who died on a cruise ship last year, has been indicted as an adult in her murder and aggravated sexual abuse, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. The indictment was announced on Monday, marking a significant shift in the legal proceedings of the case. T.H., identified as the suspect, is 16 years old and resides in Titusville, Florida. He was charged with first-degree murder and aggravated sexual abuse following a federal grand jury’s decision to pursue adult prosecution. Anna Kepner’s death occurred in November 2025 aboard the Carnival Cruise Line’s Horizon, a ship that was en route to Miami. The incident took place in international waters, and the victim was traveling with family members, including T.H. According to court records released by the DOJ, T.H. allegedly sexually assaulted Kepner and then intentionally killed her. The Miami-Dade Medical Examiner’s Office determined that the cause of death was mechanical asphyxiation. The details of the attack and the subsequent investigation have been central to the case since its inception. The case initially proceeded under juvenile jurisdiction, but the legal proceedings took a dramatic turn when U.S. District Judge Beth Bloom ordered the transfer of the case to adult court. This decision came after the case remained sealed for some time, with the court records only becoming publicly available after the indictment. The transfer to adult prosecution was a critical development, as it allows for more severe penalties, including life imprisonment if T.H. is convicted. The indictment highlights the severity of the alleged crimes. T.H.#us_department_of_justice #anna_kepner #th #carnival_cruise_line #miami_dade_medical_examiner
