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Florida Woman Sues Celebrity Cruises After Slipping on Wet Floor Near Helipad on Celebrity Reflection
Suzanne C. Lobo, a resident of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, has filed a maritime personal injury lawsuit against Celebrity Cruises Inc. in the Southern District of Florida. According to the complaint, Lobo was seriously injured on June 9, 2025, while participating in a private tour aboard the Celebrity Reflection. The tour, which was led by the ship’s Chief Concierge, took Lobo through a crew-only hallway leading to the helipad on Deck 5. As she followed the concierge’s direction, she slipped and fell on a large, unmarked puddle of water that had accumulated on the linoleum floor, resulting in multiple serious injuries.
Cruise Passenger Injured During Private Tour of Crew-Only Area on Celebrity Reflection
The lawsuit alleges that the Celebrity crew failed to inspect, clean, or warn of the wet condition in the crew corridor. The plaintiff asserts that water had been tracked into the area by crew members over the course of at least 20 to 30 minutes, forming a puddle roughly two feet long that blended into the flooring and was not readily visible. While returning from the helipad, Lobo attempted to step over a stool at the concierge’s direction, but her left foot slipped on the puddle, causing her to fall backward onto her right side and strike her head and hip.
Slip and Fall Accident in Crew-Only Hallway Allegedly Caused by Celebrity’s Negligence
The complaint states that the cruise line failed to place any wet floor signs, provide verbal warnings, or block access to the hazard, despite Celebrity’s internal safety policies—such as its “Own the Spill” program—that require crew to immediately clean or mark wet areas. Lobo also alleges that she was not advised of the requirement to wear closed-toe shoes in the crew area until after the accident occurred.
Lawsuit Cites Industry Safety Standards and Prior Incidents
Lobo’s attorneys claim that Celebrity had both actual and constructive notice of the hazardous condition. They argue that crew areas are regularly exposed to water accumulation and that Celebrity has prior knowledge of similar incidents through safety logs, crew training protocols, and internal maintenance standards. The lawsuit references multiple maritime safety regulations, including requirements under the International Maritime Organization’s SOLAS treaty, that mandate escape routes such as crew corridors be kept free of obstacles and hazards.
According to the complaint, the crew corridor where the fall occurred was a high-traffic area known to accumulate water from foot traffic, galley spills, or condensation, yet Celebrity failed to maintain the flooring in a safe condition. The plaintiff further claims that the flooring material used in this area was slippery when wet, and Celebrity negligently selected, designed, and maintained the flooring without implementing effective safeguards.
Plaintiff Sustained Permanent Injuries Requiring Ongoing Medical Treatment
As a result of the incident, Lobo suffered multiple injuries, including an ACL sprain or partial tear, joint swelling, bursitis, and injuries to her neck and shoulder. The complaint states that these injuries are permanent in nature and continue to impair her ability to perform daily activities. Lobo is seeking compensation for both economic damages, including medical expenses and future care needs, and non-economic damages for pain, suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life.
The lawsuit brings multiple counts of negligence, including direct liability, vicarious liability under respondeat superior, failure to warn, negligent training of personnel, and negligent design and construction. The case was filed in the Southern District of Florida in compliance with the venue selection clause in Celebrity’s standard passenger ticket contract.
Florida Cruise Ship Passenger Injury Lawsuit Highlights Dangers in Crew-Only Areas
This case underscores the risks posed to passengers when invited into crew-only areas of cruise ships without proper safety measures in place. Lobo’s complaint contends that Celebrity Cruises failed in its duty to maintain safe walking surfaces, failed to properly train its crew, and ignored industry-standard protocols, resulting in preventable harm.
If you or a loved one were injured aboard a cruise ship due to a slip and fall, unsafe conditions, or crew negligence, you may be entitled to compensation under maritime law. Cruise lines have a duty to maintain safe conditions throughout their vessels—including non-public areas—when inviting guests into those zones. Contact us now to speak with a cruise ship injury attorney.