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Washington, D.C. Passenger Files Trip and Fall Lawsuit Against Royal Caribbean After Deck Chair Obstruction on Adventure of the Seas
On April 23, 2025, Carlyle N. Prince, a resident of Washington, D.C., filed a lawsuit against Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida. The complaint alleges that Prince suffered serious personal injuries after tripping over a lounge chair improperly protruding into a designated walkway aboard the Adventure of the Seas on May 6, 2024.
Carlyle Prince Sues Royal Caribbean for Lounge Chair Trip and Fall on Deck 11 of Adventure of the Seas
According to the Verified Complaint, Prince was lawfully traversing Deck 11 when he tripped over a lounge chair that had been placed out of alignment with the other chairs, jutting into the pedestrian pathway. The obstruction allegedly created an unreasonably dangerous condition that Royal Caribbean knew or should have known about through regular inspections or previous similar incidents across its fleet, including cases cited on ships like the Mariner of the Seas and Navigator of the Seas.
The lawsuit claims that Royal Caribbean failed to properly arrange lounge chairs, failed to maintain a clear walkway, and failed to warn passengers of the tripping hazard. Prince suffered a serious head injury, among other permanent impairments, and seeks compensatory damages exceeding $75,000 for medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost earning capacity, and loss of enjoyment of life.
Legal Analysis: Cruise Line Liability for Trip and Fall Accidents Due to Lounge Chair Obstructions on Deck Areas
Under maritime law, cruise lines owe passengers a duty of reasonable care under the circumstances, particularly regarding the safety and maintenance of public walkways aboard their ships. Prince’s lawsuit presents classic allegations of both negligent maintenance and failure to warn, two of the most commonly litigated theories in trip and fall cruise ship cases.
A Florida cruise ship trip and fall lawyer would note that Prince’s case is strengthened by references to prior similar incidents—including other lawsuits where passengers tripped over improperly placed lounge chairs. These allegations help establish constructive notice, a key element required to prove liability under maritime law.
Potential defenses for Royal Caribbean could include claims that the hazard was open and obvious, or that Prince was comparatively negligent. However, Prince’s complaint carefully alleges that the danger was not readily apparent, and that the chair’s placement violated industry safety standards and Royal Caribbean’s own internal policies.
If proven, these facts would significantly favor Prince’s claims and expose the cruise line to liability for failing to correct or warn of the hazardous condition.
Trend and Policy Analysis: Rise in Cruise Ship Trip and Fall Claims Related to Deck Furniture Obstructions
The Prince lawsuit highlights a broader litigation trend against cruise lines for passenger injuries caused by poorly arranged deck furniture. As cruise ships have expanded deck amenities and increased guest traffic, narrow walkways obstructed by lounge chairs and other furniture have become a growing source of injuries.
This trend suggests an evolving industry standard: cruise lines must implement stricter inspection, maintenance, and crowd control policies to prevent trip and fall incidents involving deck furniture, particularly in high-traffic leisure areas.
Call a Florida Cruise Ship Trip and Fall Attorney Today
If you or a loved one have suffered injuries from a trip and fall accident aboard a cruise ship due to an obstructed walkway or improperly placed furniture, it is important to act quickly. Contact a Florida cruise ship trip and fall attorney today to explore your rights under maritime law and seek the compensation you deserve.