Arizona Man Sues Norwegian Cruise Line After Slip and Fall on Wet Buffet Floor Aboard Norwegian Bliss
Mark Zorfas and his wife Nancy Zorfas, residents of Peoria, Arizona, have filed a maritime personal injury and loss of consortium lawsuit against NCL (Bahamas) Ltd., doing business as Norwegian Cruise Line, in the Southern District of Florida. The legal action, filed under Case No. 1:26-cv-25711-KMW, stems from an incident aboard the Norwegian Bliss where Mark Zorfas allegedly sustained severe and permanently disabling lower extremity injuries after slipping on a freshly mopped buffet floor on February 27, 2026.
Passenger Injured in Garden Cafe on Norwegian Bliss Due to Wet Floor with No Caution Signs
According to the complaint, the incident occurred while Mark Zorfas was walking across the floor inside the Garden Cafe dining area located on Deck 16 of the Norwegian Bliss. The walking surface was allegedly wet and covered with standing water after being mopped and cleaned by cruise line crew members. Despite actively creating the hazard, Norwegian Cruise Line staff allegedly failed to place yellow warning cones, wet floor caution signs, or any barriers to alert patrons to the slippery surface. Zorfas encountered the slick floor without any warning, causing him to lose his footing and suffer a violent fall.
Norwegian Cruise Line Accused of Creating Hazardous Conditions and Failing to Provide Safe Ingress and Egress
The lawsuit asserts that Norwegian Cruise Line breached its duty of reasonable care under maritime law by directly creating the slip hazard and neglecting basic safety protocols. The complaint alleges that the cruise line failed to properly maintain the high-traffic buffet area, failed to ensure the surface was completely dry before allowing passenger access, and failed to provide safe ingress and egress throughout the vessel. Under the legal doctrine of respondeat superior, the cruise line is held vicariously liable for the negligent acts and omissions of its cleaning crew and shipboard employees who left the area wet and unattended without adequate visual warnings.
Lawsuit Details Fractures, Surgical Intervention, and Loss of Spousal Consortium Following Deck 16 Buffet Fall
As a direct result of the slip and fall, Mark Zorfas sustained severe and permanent orthopedic trauma. His injuries include fractures of the left fibula and medial malleolus, syndesmotic separation and disruption, and a complete left ankle dislocation. These injuries required immediate surgical intervention, extensive physical therapy, subsequent re-hospitalizations, and ongoing medical treatment. Zorfas seeks compensation for past and future medical bills, physical impairment, disfigurement, mental anguish, lost enjoyment of life, and the lost value of the cruise vacation. Additionally, Nancy Zorfas brings a claim for loss of spousal consortium, seeking damages for the permanent loss of her husband’s companionship, services, and support.
Contact a Cruise Ship Slip and Fall Attorney Today if You Were Hurt in a Dining Area on a Vessel
Cruise ship passengers injured in slip and fall accidents caused by wet dining room floors, uncleaned spills, or lack of caution signs may have the right to seek compensation under general maritime law. Vessel operators have a non-delegable duty to maintain public areas in a reasonably safe condition and warn guests of hidden slip hazards. If you or a family member suffered serious harm while traveling aboard a major cruise line, contact our team of maritime personal injury lawyers to evaluate your claim and protect your rights.
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.
