Alabama Woman Sues Celebrity Cruises After Slipping in Wet Oceanview Café on Celebrity Reflection
Emily Peoples, a resident of Alabama, has filed a maritime personal injury lawsuit against Celebrity Cruises Inc. in the Southern District of Florida. The lawsuit, filed under Case No. 1:25-cv-24898-JAL, alleges that Peoples suffered a shattered right patella after slipping on a wet and unmarked floor near drink dispensers inside the Celebrity Reflection’s Oceanview Café.
Cruise Passenger Slips Near Beverage Station in Oceanview Café on Celebrity Reflection
According to the complaint, the incident occurred on September 30, 2024, while Peoples was walking near the self-service drink dispensers located in the Oceanview Café on Deck 14 of the Celebrity Reflection. The floor in this area was allegedly wet, slippery, and unreasonably dangerous due to drink spillage or a transitory foreign substance that had not been cleaned or marked.
Peoples claims the condition was not open and obvious, and that there were no warning signs or protective mats in place to alert passengers of the hazard. The lawsuit states that as a direct result of the fall, she shattered her right kneecap (patella) and has suffered significant, ongoing physical and emotional injuries.
Celebrity Cruises Knew of Repeated Slip and Fall Incidents in Oceanview Café, Lawsuit Claims
The lawsuit alleges that Celebrity Cruises had actual and constructive notice of the hazardous condition because of multiple prior incidents involving slippery floors in the same area of the same vessel. The complaint references four specific lawsuits involving falls in or near the Oceanview Café:
- Lewis v. Celebrity Cruises Inc. (2024) – fall in the Oceanview Café on Celebrity Reflection
- Higgins v. Celebrity Cruises Inc. (2023) – fall in the same area on Celebrity Reflection
- Jacobs v. Celebrity Cruises Inc. (2022) – fall on Celebrity Millennium, a sister ship
- Winetrobe v. Celebrity Cruises Inc. (2024) – fall on Celebrity Summit, same class of vessel
According to the complaint, these repeated incidents placed Celebrity on notice that the flooring near beverage and food stations often becomes slick and hazardous without proper drainage, mats, or slip-resistant surfacing.
Celebrity Accused of Negligent Maintenance and Failure to Warn of Wet Floor Hazard
Peoples brings two counts of negligence against Celebrity Cruises: negligent maintenance and negligent failure to warn. She claims the cruise line failed to:
- Maintain the walking surface in a reasonably safe condition
- Inspect and clean the area with sufficient frequency
- Apply non-slip materials or mats near high-traffic drink stations
- Provide visible or audible warnings to passengers about the hazard
The complaint emphasizes that the area in question was heavily trafficked and that crew members should have known of the recurring wet floor issues, particularly given the layout and operation of the self-service drink dispensers.
Lawsuit Seeks Damages for Permanent Injury, Lost Wages, and Pain and Suffering
Peoples alleges she continues to experience pain, disfigurement, and reduced mobility as a result of the fall. Her injuries have required ongoing medical treatment and will likely involve future surgeries and rehabilitation. The lawsuit seeks damages for:
- Permanent physical injury and disability
- Medical expenses (past and future)
- Emotional distress and mental anguish
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Lost wages and diminished earning capacity
Injured by a Wet Floor on a Cruise Ship? Contact a Cruise Injury Lawyer Today
Slips and falls caused by wet flooring in buffet areas or self-service drink stations are a recurring issue on many cruise ships. Cruise lines like Celebrity have a legal duty to inspect, maintain, and warn passengers of dangerous conditions, especially in high-traffic areas like the Oceanview Café.
If you or a loved one has been injured aboard a cruise due to a slippery floor or similar hazard, our team of maritime injury attorneys can help you understand your legal rights.
Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with a cruise ship injury lawyer.
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.
