A woman who accused a Carnival crew member of rape during a 2018 voyage will receive more than $12 million in compensation from the major cruise line after a lengthy legal battle, a judge ruled last week.
Judge Kathleen Williams set the incredible amount on Friday after the alleged victim claimed Carnival employee Freddy Engara lured the 21-year-old into a closet, locked the door and sexually assaulted her on the Carnival Miracle on Dec. 1, 2018, according to the complaint filed in 2019.
According to legal documents, once the door opened, the woman “immediately ran back to her room.”
The complaint alleges that “the attacker grabbed her and asked her to allow him to go back to his room.” “(The woman) refused his request. When (the woman) reached her room, she burst into tears and told her friend what had just happened.”
A jury awarded him $10 million in 2022, and Williams added another $2 million after Carnival contested that verdict, according to court documents.
In total, Carnival must pay the plaintiff, identified as Jane Doe, $12,367,229, according to Friday's ruling.
The woman was pleased with the outcome, with her lawyer, Daniel Courtney, saying: told the Daily MailWho reported the payment first.
He added, “This is an important day for my client, and hopefully for all victims of sexual assault who will be able to see that justice, while sometimes difficult to obtain, is indeed possible in our country.”
Although the passenger paid the eight-figure sum, Angara was never arrested in connection with the alleged incident. He is not even a listed defendant in the legal action.
In 2022, jurors found Carnival liable for false imprisonment and sexual assault by a crew member, CNN reported this at the time.
But the jury reportedly found that Carnival was not negligent in the assault and that the crew member did not intentionally inflict emotional distress on the alleged victim.
Carnival said the crew member admitted to having sex with the passenger in 2022, but it was consensual, “which is consistent with the FBI’s investigation,” According to the Washington Post,
Enger was fired from his job because cruise workers should not mix with guests.
Courtney told The Washington Post that her client was “very intoxicated” during the alleged rape and suffered a head injury in the fall.
“It's really hurtful for him to say that it was consensual,” Courtney argued.
The Post has sought comment from Carnival and Courtney.
