Cruise Lawyer Weekly: Royal Caribbean Injury Lawyer Files Lawsuit Over Slip-and-Fall Aboard Freedom of the Seas
A cruise passenger has filed a personal injury lawsuit against Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd., alleging that he suffered serious injuries after slipping on a wet deck aboard the Freedom of the Seas. The case, Dennis v. Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (Case No. 1:25-cv-21029-RAR), raises concerns about passenger safety, hazardous walking surfaces, and the cruise line’s failure to warn passengers of known dangers.
Slip-and-Fall Lawsuit Against Royal Caribbean Aboard Freedom of the Seas
On March 15, 2024, the plaintiff, a fare-paying passenger, was walking near the pool deck area on Freedom of the Seas when he suddenly slipped and fell on a wet and slippery surface.
According to the complaint:
- The wet flooring was unmarked, with no caution signs or barriers in place.
- The surface was excessively slippery when wet, increasing the likelihood of passenger falls.
- The plaintiff suffered severe injuries, including fractures and nerve damage, requiring medical treatment and ongoing rehabilitation.
Negligence Claims Against Royal Caribbean in Slip-and-Fall Accident
The lawsuit accuses Royal Caribbean of multiple forms of negligence, including:
- Failure to maintain a safe walking surface – The plaintiff claims that Royal Caribbean knew that wet deck areas posed a slip hazard but failed to install slip-resistant flooring or implement proper drainage.
- Failure to warn passengers of the hazard – The complaint alleges that no warning signs, caution cones, or crew instructions were provided to alert passengers about the wet surface.
- Negligent maintenance and cleaning procedures – The lawsuit states that Royal Caribbean failed to properly train crew members on wet deck management, leading to dangerous conditions.
- Failure to address prior similar incidents – The complaint references prior lawsuits involving slip-and-fall injuries on Freedom of the Seas and other Royal Caribbean ships, arguing that the cruise line was aware of the risks but failed to take action.
Prior Slip-and-Fall Incidents on Royal Caribbean Ships
The lawsuit highlights multiple previous passenger injuries due to wet and slippery surfaces aboard Royal Caribbean vessels, including:
- Anderson v. Royal Caribbean (Case No. 1:23-cv-21255) – Passenger slipped and fell near the pool deck aboard Navigator of the Seas in May 2023.
- Williams v. Royal Caribbean (Case No. 1:22-cv-22089) – Passenger suffered a fractured wrist after slipping near the Windjammer Café aboard Symphony of the Seas in June 2022.
- Martinez v. Royal Caribbean (Case No. 1:21-cv-20177) – Passenger sustained a severe back injury after slipping on an unmarked wet floor near the Solarium aboard Oasis of the Seas in September 2021.
The complaint argues that these prior cases should have put Royal Caribbean on notice of the potential for injuries but that the cruise line failed to implement necessary safety measures.
Legal Implications of the Royal Caribbean Slip-and-Fall Lawsuit
This case raises significant legal issues about cruise ship safety and Royal Caribbean’s liability for passenger injuries, including:
- Should cruise lines be required to install non-slip surfaces in high-risk areas such as pool decks and outdoor walkways?
- Is Royal Caribbean responsible for failing to place warning signs in known hazardous areas?
- Does the history of prior slip-and-fall incidents establish negligence?
- What duty does Royal Caribbean have to train its crew on proper wet floor management and passenger safety?
What Happens Next in the Freedom of the Seas Slip-and-Fall Case?
The case will likely focus on:
- Whether Royal Caribbean had prior knowledge of the hazardous deck conditions and failed to take corrective action.
- If the failure to warn passengers directly contributed to the plaintiff’s injuries.
- Whether Royal Caribbean’s maintenance and deck safety policies meet maritime industry standards.
- Will Royal Caribbean defend its safety practices, or will this case expose widespread safety failures in deck maintenance aboard Freedom of the Seas?
Stay tuned as Cruise Lawyer Weekly continues tracking this lawsuit and its potential impact on cruise ship safety, maritime law, and passenger rights.
