Texas Woman Sues Royal Caribbean Over Slip and Fall on Wet Pool Deck Aboard Mariner of the Seas

Chinwendu Ugwuala, a cruise passenger from Houston, Texas, has filed a federal lawsuit against Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd. after allegedly slipping on a large puddle of water on the Mariner of the Seas pool deck. The lawsuit was filed on September 4, 2025, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, Miami Division, under Case No. 1:25-cv-24018-KMM. Ugwuala claims the cruise line failed to inspect, warn, or clean a hazardous pool deck area that was unreasonably slippery and dangerous, causing her to suffer permanent injuries and multiple knee surgeries.

Cruise Ship Slip and Fall Lawsuit Alleges Unsafe Conditions on Mariner of the Seas Pool Deck

According to the complaint, the incident occurred on September 24, 2024, while Ugwuala was walking along Deck 11 of the Mariner of the Seas, a high-traffic area adjacent to lounge chairs, jacuzzis, and outdoor showers. As she stepped through the poolside walkway, her foot slipped on what she later discovered was a large puddle of water spanning several feet in length. The lawsuit states that the deck’s color and design caused the water to visually blend into the flooring, making the puddle nearly invisible. No warning cones or wet floor signs were in place, and no crew members were nearby to monitor the condition.

The plaintiff states she fell backward, struck her head, and suffered a ruptured patellar tendon in her left knee. She was left lying in the water with her entire body soaked from shoulders to ankles. The fall allegedly resulted in an initial surgery, extended recovery, and further complications that triggered two additional falls once she returned home.

Cruise Passenger Injury Lawsuit Ties Secondary Knee Rupture to Unsafe Cruise Deck Conditions

The lawsuit outlines how Ugwuala’s initial injury—allegedly caused by the slippery pool deck aboard the Mariner of the Seas—directly led to additional complications. In February 2025, she fell again due to instability and weakness from the original cruise-related injury. By May 2025, she suffered a complete rupture of her right patellar tendon, requiring another surgery.

Her attorneys argue that both injuries are causally linked and attributable to the original incident. The complaint describes the injuries as permanent, affecting her mobility, daily life, and emotional well-being. The lawsuit seeks to recover damages for ongoing medical costs, loss of income, psychological trauma, physical pain, and the loss of enjoyment of life resulting from the cruise ship accident.

Royal Caribbean Cruise Injury Lawsuit Points to History of Wet Deck Fall Incidents Across Fleet

The complaint asserts that Royal Caribbean had prior notice of hazardous conditions on open-air pool decks. Citing more than a dozen previous lawsuits filed in the Southern District of Florida, the plaintiff’s legal team identifies a recurring pattern of passengers falling on wet decks aboard ships like Harmony of the Seas, Wonder of the Seas, Independence of the Seas, Majesty of the Seas, and Oasis of the Seas. These prior incidents are referenced as evidence that the cruise line was aware of the risks yet failed to implement adequate preventive measures across its fleet.

By drawing attention to this litigation history, the plaintiff argues that wet deck hazards are not isolated incidents but rather reflect a systemic failure in cruise ship safety procedures, particularly around passenger walkways and poolside surfaces.

Lawsuit Accuses Royal Caribbean of Violating Maritime Safety Standards and International Regulations

Ugwuala’s attorneys base their legal theories on general maritime law, asserting that Royal Caribbean breached its duty to provide safe conditions for its passengers. The lawsuit also references international safety standards, including the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) and guidelines from ASTM and ANSI related to non-slip flooring and safety in designated escape routes.

According to the complaint, the area where the plaintiff fell serves as an emergency egress route, and cruise operators are required to keep these spaces dry, accessible, and free from foreseeable hazards. The lawsuit accuses the cruise line of using unreasonably slick deck materials and failing to apply anti-slip coatings—despite knowledge of the hazard and access to industry-standard corrective options.

In addition to negligence for failing to maintain or warn about the unsafe deck, the complaint alleges that Royal Caribbean inadequately trained its crew to recognize and respond to hazardous poolside conditions, violating its own safety protocols such as the “Own the Spill” program.

Cruise Ship Injury Lawsuit Seeks Compensation for Permanent Disability and Economic Damages

As a result of the incident and subsequent injuries, Ugwuala is seeking damages for past and future medical expenses, loss of wages, diminished earning capacity, mental anguish, and physical disfigurement. The lawsuit describes her injuries as chronic, permanent, and disruptive to her daily functioning and quality of life.

The complaint requests a jury trial and demands full compensation for all related losses, including court costs and prejudgment interest. The case underscores how serious injuries aboard cruise ships—particularly from preventable conditions like wet pool decks—can lead to lasting consequences and major litigation under federal maritime law.

Legal Options for Cruise Passengers Injured on Wet Deck Surfaces

Slip and fall accidents on cruise ships remain one of the most common sources of injury for passengers. Pool decks, jacuzzis, and outdoor bars often involve surfaces exposed to water, creating conditions where passengers are vulnerable to slipping if no warning systems or safety protocols are in place. Maritime law requires cruise lines to maintain walkways in a reasonably safe condition and to inspect, warn, and repair known hazards.

If you or someone you know was injured on a cruise ship due to a slippery deck or other unsafe condition, you may be entitled to compensation. Cruise ship injury claims are governed by federal maritime law, and prompt legal action is often necessary due to strict statute of limitations and forum-selection clauses.

Contact us today to speak with an experienced cruise ship slip and fall attorney at Holzberg Legal.

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.