A Logan woman is suing a charter cruise company for $750,000 after she allegedly fractured her foot while on board a luxury super yacht on the Gold Coast.
Earlier this year, Charmaine Yvonne Thring, 50, launched legal action in the Southport District Court against charter company Leisure Cruising Pty Ltd.
In her statement of claim, Ms Thring alleged she was injured in on September 2, 2019 while on the Atlantic Princess — a luxury yacht that sailed out of Mariners Cove Marina on the Gold Coast.
Ms Thring claimed she was onboard the Atlantic Princess when she "made her way from the stern deck to the saloon area of the vessel" and trod on the metal rod of a vacuum cleaner.
Surgery required
She said she "lost her footing and fell to the floor", which caused a fracture of her left foot and a knee injury, which required surgery.
The statement of claim said the injury caused Ms Thring "unsightly scarring" and she had developed "adjustment disorder and a generalised anxiety disorder with panic attacks".
She also claimed her sleep had been "diminished and disturbed" and "her capacity in many of her former activities has been diminished and impaired or lost altogether".
The statement of claim said the vacuum had been left on the floor and the boating company was negligent when it failed to store it an a location that "would not pose a hazard to pedestrian passage about the vessel".
Of the $750,000, Ms Thring is seeking more than $80,000 in damages for the scarring and mental anguish.
She is asking a court to order more than $250,000 for future economic loss and more than $50,000 for future assistance.
In its filed defence, Leisure Cruising said the vessel was a 23.91 metre cruiser built in 1992, which had six cabins and 14 berths.
It was used for private groups for cruises, game fishing, private functions and celebrations, the defence documents said.
Defence claims woman familiar with boat
Court documents claimed the vessel was stationary on the date of the alleged accident and the only people on board were Ms Thring and two others — John and Mario Zacaropoulos.
Leisure Cruising also argued the vacuum cleaner was placed on the floor of the saloon next to two stools and was not moved.
Laptop allegedly involved in fall
They said Ms Thring was carrying a laptop computer at the time she fell.
"As she made her way from the stern deck and back through the saloon, the plaintiff was using her laptop computer and looking at its screen," the defence said.
Leisure Cruising said in the documents they were not liable for the injuries as Ms Thring was required to exercise reasonable care for her own safety when entering the yacht.
In reply, Ms Thring said the vacuum cleaner was not in an obvious location.
When contacted by ABC Gold Coast, lawyers for both Ms Thring and Leisure Cruising declined to comment.
A hearing date is yet to be set.
