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Illinois Passenger Sues Carnival for Slip-and-Fall During Rough Seas Aboard Carnival Venezia
A resident of Illinois has filed a personal injury lawsuit against Carnival Corporation, alleging that he suffered severe injuries after slipping on a wet and unstable deck while the ship navigated rough seas aboard the Carnival Venezia. The case, Charles Haddad v. Carnival Corporation (Case No. 1:25-cv-21071-RKA), raises concerns about cruise line negligence, failure to warn passengers about hazardous weather conditions, and unsafe deck surfaces.
Background of the Carnival for Slip-and-Fall Case
On March 23, 2024, Charles Haddad was a fare-paying passenger aboard the Carnival Venezia when the ship encountered severe weather conditions, including high waves and heavy rainfall. Despite the worsening conditions, Carnival continued to allow passengers access to outdoor areas, including the Deck 5 terrace near La Strada Grill.
According to the complaint:
- Carnival’s public announcements downplayed the severity of the weather, failing to warn passengers of the actual risks.
- Haddad stepped onto the terrace with his father, considering whether to dine at La Strada Grill, but immediately decided it was too dangerous.
- As he attempted to re-enter the ship, a large wave caused the vessel to tilt sharply, making the already wet deck surface even more treacherous.
- Haddad slipped and fell onto his knees, and as he attempted to regain his balance, another wave strike caused the ship to lurch in the opposite direction, leading to a second fall, which resulted in severe bodily injuries.
Key Allegations Against Carnival Corporation
The lawsuit accuses Carnival of multiple forms of negligence, including:
- Failure to Maintain a Safe Deck Surface
- The deck was visibly wet, but Carnival did not take action to restrict access to hazardous areas.
- The flooring material became excessively slippery when wet, increasing the likelihood of passenger falls.
- Failure to Warn Passengers About Severe Weather Risks
- Carnival issued misleading announcements describing the weather as “light rain” and “high waves,” despite the ship experiencing extreme swells.
- No public warnings were issued advising passengers to avoid the outdoor deck areas.
- Failure to Implement Proper Safety Measures
- Crew members did not place caution signs, seal off doorways, or restrict access to the hazardous terrace.
- The lawsuit alleges that Carnival should have either canceled outdoor dining activities or ensured safer conditions by placing barriers or applying anti-slip treatments.
- Prior Knowledge of Similar Incidents
- The lawsuit cites prior slip-and-fall incidents on Carnival ships where high waves and wet deck surfaces led to serious injuries.
- Plaintiff alleges that Carnival routinely conducts coefficient of friction testing and knew the flooring posed a significant risk when wet.
Carnival Cruise Ship Lawyers Perspective on Passenger Safety
This case raises critical legal questions regarding cruise ship safety regulations and passenger warnings, including:
- Should Carnival have issued stronger safety advisories or temporarily closed hazardous outdoor areas?
- Did Carnival negligently allow passengers to access a dangerous deck without adequate warning?
- Does Carnival’s history of prior passenger slip-and-fall incidents during rough seas establish negligence?
- What duty does Carnival have to monitor and adjust shipboard activities based on real-time weather conditions?
What’s Next?
The case will likely focus on:
- Whether Carnival knew or should have known about the risk posed by the deck’s surface in stormy weather.
- If the failure to warn and failure to maintain safe walking conditions directly contributed to Haddad’s injuries.
- Whether Carnival’s weather monitoring and passenger safety protocols meet industry standards.
- Will Carnival argue that Haddad should have exercised more caution, or will this case expose systemic safety failures in how cruise lines handle rough weather conditions?