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Florida Woman Sues Carnival Cruise Line After Slipping on Unattended Water Near Restaurant on Carnival Magic
Linda Bennett, a resident of Sunrise, Florida, has filed a maritime negligence lawsuit against Carnival Corporation in the Southern District of Florida, alleging that she suffered serious injuries after slipping on a wet surface aboard the Carnival Magic. The complaint, filed under Case No. 1:25-cv-24513-PCH, claims that Carnival’s crew failed to clean or warn of the dangerous condition, which allegedly caused her to fall near a guest area on Deck 5.
Cruise passenger injured after slipping on pooling liquid in high-traffic area near lounge on Carnival Magic
The incident took place on March 28, 2025, as Bennett was walking through a common area on the fifth deck—believed to be near a restaurant or lounge venue frequently used by passengers accessing food, drinks, and entertainment. While traversing this space, Bennett allegedly stepped into an accumulation of water or a similar clear liquid that had been left unattended by Carnival crew. The complaint asserts that the condition was not visible, not marked with signage, and not cleaned despite being present for an extended period of time.
Bennett claims the fall caused her to suffer injuries to her left arm, elbow, and shoulder, resulting in medical treatment and long-term impairment.
Carnival accused of vicarious negligence for crew’s failure to detect, warn, or remove wet floor hazard
Bennett brings her case under a theory of vicarious liability, holding Carnival legally responsible for the alleged negligence of its crewmembers who failed to:
- Identify the presence of the hazardous liquid
- Clean the spill or restrict access to the area
- Post visual warnings such as cones or caution signage
- Maintain adequate inspection protocols for high-traffic guest areas
The lawsuit contends that Carnival, through its employees, had either actual or constructive knowledge of the dangerous condition. The plaintiff argues that due to the volume of passengers using the Deck 5 area, crewmembers should have been regularly inspecting the floors and were either aware of the spill or failed to discover it through routine checks.
Legal theory centers on cruise line’s non-delegable duty to maintain safe common areas
Under general maritime law, cruise lines owe their passengers a duty of reasonable care under the circumstances. This includes maintaining safe walkways and promptly addressing hazards that could cause injury. The complaint asserts that Carnival breached this duty by failing to correct a foreseeable risk—namely, a liquid spill in a space that is constantly used by passengers and staff.
The lawsuit also references industry safety standards and common practices such as hourly walk-throughs by crewmembers, non-slip flooring, and hazard cones that are routinely used to prevent such injuries. Bennett’s attorneys argue that Carnival either failed to implement or failed to enforce such safety measures aboard the Carnival Magic.
Prior Carnival lawsuits highlight pattern of slips in high-use passenger areas
To support the foreseeability of the danger, Bennett’s case fits a broader pattern of litigation involving similar allegations. In Thomas v. Carnival Corporation, a passenger alleged a fall in a buffet area due to an unnoticed liquid spill. In Gilyard v. Carnival Corporation, the plaintiff fell after slipping on a rain-soaked deck with no warning signs. These cases, and others filed in the Southern District of Florida, show a repeated theme: liquid accumulation in unsupervised common areas leading to passenger injury.
The complaint asserts that Carnival has been aware of this risk across its fleet and that its failure to modify cleaning procedures or improve floor safety features amounts to negligence.
Plaintiff seeks damages for permanent injury, loss of mobility, and diminished cruise value
Bennett claims the injuries to her left arm and elbow are permanent and continuing, limiting her mobility and requiring ongoing care. The lawsuit seeks damages for:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Pain and suffering
- Disability and disfigurement
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Lost wages and diminished earning capacity
She also claims a loss of the value of her cruise vacation, asserting that the injury significantly disrupted her travel experience.
Hurt in a wet floor fall on a cruise ship? Speak with a cruise ship injury lawyer today
Whether in restaurants, lounges, or pool decks, cruise lines have a legal duty to maintain safe walking conditions for their guests. If crew members fail to clean up liquid spills or post adequate warnings, and you suffer an injury as a result, the cruise operator may be liable under U.S. maritime law.
Contact our legal team at https://holzberglegal.com/contact-us/ to speak with a cruise ship slip and fall attorney. Our maritime injury lawyers are ready to help you understand your rights and pursue compensation for your injuries.
Disclaimer
Our firm does not represent the plaintiff in this case and is not involved in the litigation. The information provided is a summary of allegations based on publicly available court filings. We make no representations about the truth of these allegations, are not commenting on the merits of the case, and are not predicting any outcome.