Fagan
NEW ORLEANS - After being detained for a few hours and not being allowed to board a cruise ship, a New Orleans family has filed a lawsuit against Carnival Cruise Lines for false imprisonment and illegal detention.
Sarah Harkey Collins, Heron S. Collins, Collins Meredith, Mitchell Meredith, Madisonne Meredith, and Curtis Locke Meredith Jr. and Jill Meredith, individually and on behalf of a minor child, filed suit against Carnival Corp., Amy Trigleth, Angelia Diez and John and/or Jane Doe on June 22 in federal court in New Orleans.
The plaintiffs attempted to board the vessel "Triumph" on June 25, 2011 for a family vacation, the suit says.
New Orleans native Sarah Collins, 87, provided her driver's license and birth certificate for boarding, but was denied. Instead, she was sent to an interrogation room, which was visible to other boarding cruise passengers.
The Collins family was initially restricted from accompanying and assisting her, while she was detained, imprisoned, and interrogated, the suit says. Eventually, the entire family was detained for approximately three to four hours and was not allowed to board the vessel.
The defendants are accused of illegal detention, false imprisonment, damage of and failure to immediately return plaintiffs' luggage, and for failing to timely make all insurance payments due and owing.
The lawsuit is seeking an award of damages for severe mental anguish, distress, humiliation, loss of enjoyment of life, interest, punitive damages, attorney's fees, and court costs.
The plaintiffs are represented by Sean D. Fagan of Locke Meredith, Sean Fagen & Corey Orgeron in Baton Rouge.
Case No. 2:12-cv-01622