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New Jersey Passenger Injured After Trip and Fall on Uneven Jogging Track on Symphony of the Seas
Linda Bowen, a resident of New Jersey, has filed a maritime personal injury lawsuit against Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd. in the Southern District of Florida. The lawsuit, filed under Case No. 1:25-cv-23285, alleges that Bowen sustained severe injuries after tripping on a hidden sloped and uneven surface on the jogging track located on Deck 5 of the Symphony of the Seas on August 19, 2024.
Cruise Passenger Claims Jogging Track’s Hidden Slopes Created Unreasonably Dangerous Condition
According to the complaint, Bowen and her husband were walking the Deck 5 jogging track when her left foot caught on an unmarked sloped section of the walkway. The uneven surface, which was allegedly designed and maintained with the same color and material as the surrounding track, blended into the floor and created an optical illusion that obscured the hazard. Bowen asserts that the lack of visual cues, warning signs, or markings made it impossible to detect the change in elevation, causing her to trip and fall forward onto her left shoulder.
The lawsuit claims that Royal Caribbean failed to properly inspect and maintain the jogging track, despite knowing that it was a high-traffic area frequently used by passengers for walking and running.
Royal Caribbean Accused of Negligence in Design, Maintenance, and Passenger Safety
The complaint alleges that Royal Caribbean negligently designed and constructed the jogging track with sudden changes in height and slope that posed a tripping hazard. It further claims that the cruise line failed to provide adequate warnings, paint markings, or safety measures to alert passengers of these hazards. Bowen also contends that the company failed to follow industry standards, including those established under international maritime safety regulations and the SOLAS treaty, which require ship walkways to be maintained as safe escape routes free of obstacles.
Passenger Sustained Fractured Shoulder Requiring Medical Treatment and Rehabilitation
Following the fall, Bowen was taken to the ship’s infirmary and later transported to a hospital in Port Canaveral, where she was diagnosed with a comminuted fracture of her left proximal humeral head and neck. Due to ongoing breast cancer treatments, Bowen was not a candidate for surgery and was instead placed in a sling for six weeks and prescribed intensive physical therapy. The lawsuit states that her injuries are permanent and have caused significant pain, disability, and loss of enjoyment of life.
Lawsuit Cites Prior Passenger Incidents on Royal Caribbean Jogging Tracks
Bowen’s legal team asserts that Royal Caribbean had both actual and constructive notice of the hazards on its jogging tracks, pointing to prior lawsuits involving similar trip-and-fall incidents aboard Royal Caribbean vessels, including Wilder v. Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., Budilovsky v. Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., and Crick v. Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. These prior cases are offered as evidence that the cruise line has long been aware of the tripping risks posed by its jogging track designs but failed to take adequate corrective measures.
Plaintiff Seeks Damages for Medical Expenses, Pain and Suffering, and Loss of Earning Capacity
The lawsuit includes multiple counts of negligence against Royal Caribbean, including failure to maintain the jogging track, failure to warn passengers of hidden hazards, negligent training of crew members, and negligent design and construction of the walkway. Bowen seeks compensation for past and future medical expenses, lost income, diminished earning capacity, and non-economic damages such as pain, mental anguish, and permanent impairment.
Contact a Cruise Ship Slip and Fall Lawyer if You Were Injured on a Jogging Track or Deck
Passengers injured due to unsafe jogging tracks or deck conditions on cruise ships may have the right to pursue compensation under maritime law. Cruise lines like Royal Caribbean are required to maintain safe walking surfaces and to warn passengers of hazards such as uneven flooring or sudden slopes. If you or someone you love suffered injuries in a similar cruise ship slip or trip accident, our maritime injury attorneys can help you understand your rights.
Contact us now to speak with a cruise ship slip and fall attorney.