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Scottish Cruise Passenger Sues Norwegian Cruise Line After Slipping on Wet Deck of Norwegian Prima
Slip-and-Fall Lawsuit Filed Against Norwegian Cruise Line Over Outdoor Shower Hazard on Norwegian Prima
On March 18, 2025, a personal injury lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida: Yvonne Petrie v. NCL (Bahamas) Ltd., Case No. 1:25-cv-21273. The plaintiff, a Scottish citizen, claims she sustained serious injuries after slipping on a wet deck near an outdoor shower aboard the Norwegian Prima cruise ship.
The incident occurred just after midnight on April 19, 2024, as Petrie walked across Deck 18 Forward. She alleges she slipped on water that had spilled from an improperly maintained shower. The lawsuit states the water was hard to see due to dim blue lighting and that there were no warning signs or barriers in place.
Cruise Ship Slip-and-Fall Injury Blamed on Wet Deck Near Outdoor Shower
Petrie’s lawsuit accuses Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) of creating or allowing a dangerous condition to exist by:
- Poor design of the outdoor shower, which allegedly lacked a lip or enclosure to contain water.
- Absence of proper drainage, allowing water to spread across walking areas.
- No automatic shut-off valve, leaving water to continuously leak from the shower.
- Failure to warn passengers, including not placing caution signs or blocking off the area.
According to the complaint, this was not an isolated hazard. CCTV allegedly shows water pooling in the area for an extended time, and Petrie and her husband reported seeing water actively streaming from the shower after the fall.
Legal Claims of Negligence Against Norwegian Cruise Line in Passenger Slip Case
The legal filing brings two primary causes of action under general maritime law:
- Negligent Failure to Maintain Safe Deck Areas
NCL is accused of failing to routinely inspect and maintain Deck 18, particularly around the shower where water accumulated. Alleged oversights include poor lighting, ineffective surface materials, and lack of slip-resistant precautions. - Negligent Failure to Warn Cruise Ship Passengers of Hazards
The plaintiff argues that the cruise line had both actual and constructive notice of the hazard:- Two other passengers reportedly slipped in the same area during the same voyage.
- Crew members were seen attempting to dry the area earlier in the cruise.
- Other passengers allegedly lodged complaints about the same hazard prior to Petrie’s fall.
Maritime Law and Prior Slip-and-Fall Incidents Aboard Norwegian Cruise Ships
The lawsuit places this case within a broader pattern of similar slip-and-fall cruise ship lawsuits:
- Raval v. NCL (2020) – Passenger slipped near jacuzzis on the Norwegian Escape.
- Bouchard v. NCL (2024) – Fall on outdoor Deck 17 of the Escape.
- Gant v. NCL (2023) – Slip near the Spice H2O area on the Escape.
- Frasca v. NCL (2016) and Peterson v. NCL (2018) – Earlier incidents involving wet outdoor decks.
The plaintiff’s legal team argues that these and other known incidents should have put NCL on heightened notice regarding the risks posed by wet, poorly drained deck areas. They cite NCL’s own Passenger and Crew Safety Policy, which mandates regular inspection and immediate correction of hazardous conditions.
Know Your Rights After a Slip-and-Fall Accident on a Cruise Ship
If you or someone you know has been injured in a slip-and-fall accident on a cruise ship, it’s important to act quickly. Maritime law has strict deadlines and complex procedures. Consult a qualified cruise ship injury attorney to understand your legal rights and potential compensation options.