Arizona Woman Sues Carnival Cruise Line After Slip and Fall on Slippery Metal Grate Aboard Carnival Firenze
Rachel Hocker, a resident of Arizona, 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-24155, alleges that Hocker suffered severe injuries after slipping on a worn and slippery metal grate near the Lido marketplace aboard the Carnival Firenze on August 19, 2024.
Passenger Alleges Fall on Worn Metal Grate with Missing Anti-Slip Strips
According to the complaint, Hocker was walking on Deck 10 of the Carnival Firenze when she slipped on a metal grate located near a threshold in the Lido marketplace. The area allegedly contained worn and missing anti-slip strips, which had deteriorated due to heavy foot traffic and repeated use of carts and equipment over time.
Hocker claims the grate became unreasonably slippery, creating a hazardous walking condition in a busy passenger area. As a result of her fall, she allegedly suffered a fractured femur, torn ligaments, high-grade muscle tears, and injuries to her leg, knee, and back.
Carnival Accused of Failing to Maintain and Inspect High-Traffic Walking Surfaces
The complaint alleges that Carnival knew or should have known that the metal grates were slippery when wet or worn down. Hocker claims that Carnival previously installed anti-slip strips in recognition of the hazard but failed to maintain or replace them in a timely manner.
She further alleges that Carnival crew members were within sight of the area minutes before her fall but failed to block it off or warn passengers. After her fall, Carnival staff allegedly covered the grate with a rug and later replaced the damaged anti-slip strips.
Lawsuit Raises Negligent Design, Installation, and Vicarious Liability Claims
Beyond claims for negligent maintenance and failure to warn, Hocker’s lawsuit also alleges negligent design and approval of the flooring itself. She asserts that the flooring failed to meet accepted safety standards, including American National Standards Institute (ANSI) guidelines requiring a slip resistance value above .42, and that Carnival’s own policies required safer flooring in wet conditions.
The complaint also includes a claim for vicarious liability, asserting that Carnival is legally responsible for the actions of its employees and design departments involved in approving or selecting unsafe flooring materials during the Firenze’s build and refurbishment process.
Legal Background: Design Liability in Maritime Personal Injury Cases
In maritime law, cruise lines can face liability not only for failing to maintain or warn about unsafe conditions, but also for design defects that make shipboard areas inherently dangerous. Courts have recognized that shipowners often play a role in approving or specifying design elements during vessel construction or refurbishment. When design choices create unsafe walking surfaces, passengers may bring claims for negligent design, negligent installation, or approval of defective materials.
Key issues in design liability cases often include whether the shipowner had the ability to influence or approve the design, whether industry safety standards were followed, and whether safer alternatives were available. Plaintiffs typically argue that if the design itself creates a foreseeable risk of harm, the cruise line should be responsible for injuries resulting from that design choice. Cruise lines, in turn, may defend such claims by arguing that the condition was open and obvious, that the design complied with standards at the time of construction, or that third-party shipyards were responsible.
These cases differ from ordinary slip-and-fall claims because they focus less on day-to-day maintenance and more on long-term safety decisions made during the vessel’s build or modification process.
Plaintiff Seeks Damages for Severe Orthopedic Injuries and Lost Independence
Hocker alleges that her fall caused permanent injuries, including fractures, ligament tears, disability, and loss of independence. She seeks damages for medical care, hospitalization, lost wages, diminished earning capacity, emotional distress, and loss of the value of her cruise vacation. She also claims her injuries have permanently reduced her ability to enjoy life.
Contact a Cruise Ship Slip and Fall Lawyer if You Were Hurt on an Unsafe Walking Surface Aboard a Vessel
Passengers injured due to unsafe flooring, design defects, or worn walking surfaces aboard cruise ships may be entitled to compensation under maritime law. Cruise lines have a duty to ensure that flooring materials, thresholds, and walking areas meet safety standards and are properly maintained. If you or someone you love was injured in a similar incident, you may have legal options.
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.
