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South Carolina Woman Sues Carnival After Slip and Fall on Wet Deck Aboard Carnival Mardi Gras
Judy Lynne Hicks, a resident of South Carolina, has filed a maritime personal injury lawsuit against Carnival Corporation in the Southern District of Florida. The lawsuit, filed under Case No. 1:25-cv-24128, alleges that Hicks suffered serious injuries after slipping on a wet pool deck walkway aboard the Carnival Mardi Gras on October 3, 2024.
Passenger Alleges Fall on Slippery Deck 18 Walkway Near Serenity Pool
According to the complaint, Hicks was walking barefoot across a designated walkway on Deck 18, near the Serenity pool area, when she encountered a large puddle of water that blended into the flooring. The puddle was allegedly at least three feet wide and had existed for hours due to water tracked from pools, hot tubs, and rain exposure.
Hicks claims that Carnival failed to dry or block off the hazardous area, post warning signs, or provide any visual cues that the flooring was dangerously slippery when wet. She fell backwards, striking her head and wrist, and suffered a concussion and other permanent injuries.
Carnival Accused of Negligent Maintenance, Inadequate Warnings, and Faulty Design
The complaint alleges multiple failures on Carnival’s part:
- Allowing water to pool on high-traffic outdoor flooring.
- Failing to inspect and maintain Deck 18 despite known slip hazards.
- Neglecting to warn passengers or post caution signs.
- Choosing and approving synthetic resin flooring material that allegedly becomes dangerously slippery when wet.
The lawsuit also claims Carnival had long-standing knowledge of similar incidents on its Mardi Gras and sister ships, citing multiple prior passenger slip-and-fall cases. Plaintiffs argue this history shows Carnival was on notice of the risks yet failed to implement meaningful corrective measures.
Lawsuit Includes Claims for Negligence, Vicarious Liability, and Negligent Design
Hicks brings several counts against Carnival, including:
- Negligent failure to maintain safe deck conditions.
- Vicarious liability for the negligence of crew members responsible for cleaning and inspections.
- Negligent failure to warn passengers of hidden hazards.
- Negligent training of crew in slip-and-fall prevention.
- Negligent design, construction, and selection of unsafe flooring materials.
The complaint alleges Carnival had full control over flooring selection during the Mardi Gras’s construction and knew safer, more slip-resistant alternatives were available but declined to use them.
Legal Background: Crew Training and Slip-and-Fall Prevention in Maritime Cases
In maritime law, cruise lines must exercise reasonable care to protect passengers from slip-and-fall hazards. Courts often examine not just whether a hazard existed, but also whether crew members were properly trained to identify, clean, and warn about such conditions.
Cruise lines typically implement formal safety programs, requiring crew to place warning signs, dry wet areas, and cordon off dangerous surfaces. If crew members fail to carry out these policies, passengers may allege negligent training or supervision. Courts may consider whether training materials, inspection routines, and staffing levels were adequate to prevent recurring hazards in high-traffic areas like pool decks.
When accidents occur on outdoor decks, plaintiffs often argue that crew training should reflect the predictable nature of wet surfaces caused by weather, pools, and passenger activity. Cruise lines may defend these claims by pointing to established programs, daily warnings, or the open and obvious nature of outdoor deck conditions.
Plaintiff Seeks Damages for Lasting Injuries and Impaired Quality of Life
Hicks alleges that her injuries are permanent and include a concussion, wrist damage, pain, disability, and loss of enjoyment of life. She seeks damages exceeding $75,000 for medical care, lost income, pain and suffering, and the diminished value of her cruise vacation. A jury trial has been demanded.
Contact a Cruise Ship Slip and Fall Lawyer if You Were Injured on a Wet Pool Deck Aboard a Vessel
Slip and fall accidents aboard cruise ships are common, particularly on outdoor decks exposed to water and weather. Cruise lines are required to maintain safe flooring, provide adequate warnings, and properly train crew members to prevent such injuries. If you or someone you love suffered a similar accident, you may be entitled to pursue compensation under maritime law.
Contact us now to speak with a cruise ship slip and fall attorney.
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.