Lawsuit Alleges Fatal Drinking Incident on Royal Caribbean Cruise
The fiancée of Michael Virgil, who tragically passed away during a Royal Caribbean cruise, has initiated a wrongful death lawsuit against the cruise line. This lawsuit claims that the company served him an excessive number of alcoholic drinks and failed to take necessary precautions to ensure his safety.
Details of the Incident
The incident occurred during a roundtrip voyage from Los Angeles to Ensenada, Mexico, in December 2024. Michael Virgil, aged 35, was accompanied by his fiancée, Connie Aguilar, and their son, along with other family members.
According to the lawsuit, Virgil was served over 33 alcoholic beverages throughout the cruise. After becoming disoriented and agitated while searching for his cabin, he was physically restrained by crew members, who allegedly tackled him to the ground and stood on him with their full body weight.
Claims Against Royal Caribbean
- The lawsuit alleges negligence on the part of Royal Caribbean for serving alcohol to Virgil despite his visible intoxication.
- It states that crew members failed to assist Virgil, who exhibited dangerous behavior due to intoxication.
- Royal Caribbean is accused of violating maritime law, which requires ship operators to supervise passengers who may pose a risk to themselves or others.
- The complaint highlights the company’s design of ships to encourage alcohol consumption, suggesting a systemic issue in their practices.
Medical Findings and Legal Proceedings
The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner classified Virgil’s death as a homicide, determining the cause to be mechanical asphyxia combined with obesity, an enlarged heart, and alcohol intoxication. This tragic outcome occurred after crew members administered a sedative and used pepper spray on Virgil, which allegedly caused respiratory failure and cardiac arrest.
Video footage captured by a fellow passenger depicts Virgil in a distressed state, threatening crew members and attempting to enter restricted areas. The video also shows security personnel restraining him on the floor during the incident.
Current Status of the Lawsuit
The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages and a jury trial against Royal Caribbean. It was filed in federal court in Miami, the cruise line’s headquarters. As of now, Royal Caribbean has not publicly commented on the allegations.
Connie Aguilar’s legal action calls attention to the responsibilities of cruise lines regarding alcohol service and passenger safety. The outcome could have significant implications for maritime laws and the operations of cruise companies.
