>

Royal Caribbean Accused of Negligence in Toddler Fall Death

Lawsuit Revived on Appeal

Grandfather Pleaded Guilty to Negligence

A federal appeals court has revived a lawsuit against Royal Caribbean Cruises brought by the parents of an 18-month-old toddler who fell to her death from a Royal Caribbean cruise ship window.

The child's grandfather, Salvatore Sam Anello, pleaded guilty to negligent homicide last year after his granddaughter, Chloe Wiegand, died from falling.

Royal Caribbean Cruises filed a motion this month asking the federal court in the Southern District of Florida to dismiss the lawsuit, arguing that Anello's criminal conviction barred the parents' claims.

However, the appeals court ruled that the cruise company could still be held liable for negligence, even if Anello was responsible for the child's death.

The court cited video footage showing that Anello was not the only person who could have prevented the fall. The video shows that the window was open, and that there were no warnings or barriers to prevent a child from falling out.

The parents' lawsuit alleges that Royal Caribbean was negligent in failing to secure the window, and in failing to warn passengers about the dangers of open windows.