Connecticut Passenger Files Lawsuit Against Royal Caribbean for Slip-and-Fall Injury on Independence of the Seas
A Connecticut resident has filed a personal injury lawsuit against Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd., alleging that she suffered severe injuries after slipping on a wet and unmarked deck surface in the Windjammer Café on Deck 11 aboard the M/S Independence of the Seas. The case, Roebuck v. Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd. (Case No. 1:25-cv-20984-BB), raises concerns about cruise ship deck safety, failure to maintain passenger walkways, and Royal Caribbean’s negligence in preventing known hazards in high-traffic areas.
Slip-and-Fall Incident in Windjammer Café on Independence of the Seas
On December 10, 2023, the plaintiff, a fare-paying passenger aboard Independence of the Seas, was walking out of the Windjammer Café when she suddenly slipped on a wet, unmarked surface and fell violently to the ground.
According to the complaint:
- The wet flooring was not clearly visible, making it difficult to detect.
- No warning signs or barriers were placed to alert passengers.
- The deck material was excessively slippery when wet, increasing the likelihood of falls.
- The plaintiff suffered a torn left meniscus, pain, and long-term medical complications, requiring extensive treatment and rehabilitation.
Legal Allegations in Lawsuit Against Royal Caribbean
The lawsuit accuses Royal Caribbean of negligence, claiming the cruise line:
- Failed to maintain the deck in a safe condition by not addressing the frequent slipping hazards in the Windjammer Café.
- Failed to warn passengers of the hazard by not providing caution signs, warning markers, or crew instructions about the wet surface in a high-traffic area.
- Negligent maintenance of the ship’s decking by failing to properly train crew members on how to safely manage and clean wet surfaces in high-traffic areas.
- Failure to address prior slip-and-fall incidents in Windjammer Cafés across its fleet despite knowledge of similar incidents.
Previous Slip-and-Fall Cases on Royal Caribbean Ships
The complaint references several prior legal claims involving wet deck injuries aboard Royal Caribbean ships, including:
- Silva v. Royal Caribbean (Case No. 1:24-cv-20866) – Passenger slipped on a wet floor in the Windjammer Café aboard Radiance of the Seas in March 2023.
- Cuaresma v. Royal Caribbean (Case No. 1:24-cv-23204) – Passenger fell on a wet deck in the Windjammer Café aboard Oasis of the Seas in September 2023.
- Burns v. Royal Caribbean (Case No. 1:24-cv-21326) – Passenger slipped on a wet floor in the Windjammer Café aboard Navigator of the Seas in April 2023.
- Lu v. Royal Caribbean (Case No. 1:23-cv-24725) – Passenger sustained injuries from a fall in the Windjammer Café aboard Explorer of the Seas in December 2022.
The lawsuit argues that these prior cases should have put Royal Caribbean on notice that slip-and-fall incidents in wet deck areas were foreseeable and preventable, yet the cruise line failed to implement safety measures.
Cruise Ship Passenger Safety and Legal Considerations
This case raises critical legal questions about Royal Caribbean’s duty of care to prevent foreseeable slip-and-fall accidents aboard its vessels, including:
- Whether cruise lines should install non-slip surfaces in high-risk wet areas such as dining venues and pool decks
- Whether Royal Caribbean is liable for failing to place warning signs in known wet deck areas
- Whether the cruise line’s history of prior slip-and-fall incidents establishes negligence
- Whether Royal Caribbean has a duty to properly train crew members on wet deck maintenance and passenger safety
Next Steps in the Cruise Ship Injury Lawsuit Against Royal Caribbean
The case will likely focus on:
- Whether Royal Caribbean had prior knowledge of the dangerous deck conditions and failed to take corrective action
- If the cruise line’s failure to warn passengers directly contributed to the plaintiff’s injuries
- Whether Royal Caribbean’s maintenance and deck safety policies meet industry standards
Will Royal Caribbean argue that the plaintiff should have been more careful, or will this case expose systemic safety failures in deck maintenance aboard Independence of the Seas?
Stay tuned as Cruise Lawyer Weekly continues to track this legal battle and its potential impact on cruise ship safety regulations and maritime law.
