California Passenger Sues Carnival Cruise Line After Slip and Fall on Wet Deck Near Smoking Area Aboard Carnival Firenze
Teri Leigh Marchant, a California resident, has filed a maritime personal injury lawsuit in the Southern District of Florida against Carnival Corporation, doing business as Carnival Cruise Line. The lawsuit alleges that Carnival’s negligence caused her to suffer a severe wrist fracture requiring surgery after slipping on a wet synthetic deck surface near a designated smoking area aboard the Carnival Firenze.
Passenger Slipped on Wet Synthetic Decking Near Smoking Area on Deck 5
According to the complaint, the incident occurred on November 4, 2024, while the Carnival Firenze was sailing in navigable waters. Marchant was walking along the exterior walkway on Deck 5 near one of the ship’s designated smoking areas when she suddenly slipped and fell. The deck surface, made from Bolidt Future Teak synthetic flooring, allegedly becomes “unreasonably and unpredictably slippery” when wet.
The complaint states that it had rained earlier that day, leaving water pooled on the deck. Carnival allegedly failed to dry the area, block access, or post adequate warning signs despite knowing that the flooring material poses a significant slip hazard when wet. Marchant claims there was no visible indication that the deck was slippery, making the hazard not open and obvious to passengers.
Lawsuit Claims Carnival Knew Flooring Was Hazardous When Wet But Failed to Act
The lawsuit alleges that Carnival had both actual and constructive notice of the dangerous condition. The complaint cites multiple prior passenger slip and fall cases involving the same or similar synthetic decking on other Carnival ships, including the Mardi Gras, Dream, Magic, and Liberty. In those cases, passengers allegedly slipped on wet outdoor decks under similar circumstances.
Marchant’s attorneys argue that Carnival knew from past incidents, safety reports, and crew training materials that its synthetic decking becomes dangerously slippery when wet. Despite this knowledge, Carnival allegedly failed to:
- Implement adequate inspection and cleaning procedures after rain
- Maintain proper records of when decks were inspected and cleaned
- Place caution signs or block off wet areas
- Provide additional safety measures in known hazard zones, such as near smoking areas
Negligent Design and Selection of Slippery Decking Material Alleged
The complaint also accuses Carnival of negligent design, construction, and material selection. It alleges that Carnival was directly involved in designing and overseeing the construction of the Carnival Firenze, including choosing the Bolidt Future Teak decking for high-traffic outdoor areas.
Marchant argues that the chosen material was inappropriate for exterior spaces exposed to rain, seawater, and heavy passenger use. The flooring’s smooth synthetic surface allegedly lacks adequate slip resistance and can conceal the presence of water, increasing the risk of falls.
Plaintiff Sustained Severe Wrist Fracture Requiring Surgery
The lawsuit claims Marchant’s fall caused a serious fracture of her left radius at the wrist, requiring open surgery and the insertion of hardware. She alleges she has suffered and will continue to suffer pain, disability, loss of earning capacity, medical expenses, and diminished quality of life.
Multiple Counts of Negligence Brought Against Carnival
Marchant brings several negligence counts against Carnival, including:
- Negligent failure to maintain
- Negligent failure to warn
- Negligent training of crew
- Negligent design, construction, and selection of materials
She also asserts vicarious liability for the negligence of Carnival’s cleaning and supervisory personnel, alleging they failed to inspect, dry, warn, or block off the hazardous area.
Cruise Ship Slip and Fall Incidents on Outdoor Decks Remain a Recurring Safety Issue
Slip and fall accidents on wet cruise ship decks are a well-documented hazard. Outdoor decks are often made of materials that can become slippery when wet, and passengers may not realize the danger until it’s too late. Maritime law requires cruise lines to take reasonable steps to address such hazards, including design choices, proper maintenance, and adequate warnings.
Contact a Cruise Ship Slip and Fall Attorney if You Were Injured on a Wet Deck
Passengers injured in slip and fall accidents aboard cruise ships may be entitled to compensation under maritime law. If you or a loved one have been injured on a wet deck, especially in an area with a known history of slip hazards, you should speak with an experienced cruise injury attorney about your rights and legal options.
Contact us now to speak with a cruise ship slip and fall lawyer.
California Passenger Sues Carnival Cruise Line After Slip and Fall on Wet Deck Near Smoking Area Aboard Carnival Firenze
Teri Leigh Marchant, a California resident, has filed a maritime personal injury lawsuit in the Southern District of Florida against Carnival Corporation, doing business as Carnival Cruise Line. The lawsuit alleges that Carnival’s negligence caused her to suffer a severe wrist fracture requiring surgery after slipping on a wet synthetic deck surface near a designated smoking area aboard the Carnival Firenze.
Passenger Slipped on Wet Synthetic Decking Near Smoking Area on Deck 5
According to the complaint, the incident occurred on November 4, 2024, while the Carnival Firenze was sailing in navigable waters. Marchant was walking along the exterior walkway on Deck 5 near one of the ship’s designated smoking areas when she suddenly slipped and fell. The deck surface, made from Bolidt Future Teak synthetic flooring, allegedly becomes “unreasonably and unpredictably slippery” when wet.
The complaint states that it had rained earlier that day, leaving water pooled on the deck. Carnival allegedly failed to dry the area, block access, or post adequate warning signs despite knowing that the flooring material poses a significant slip hazard when wet. Marchant claims there was no visible indication that the deck was slippery, making the hazard not open and obvious to passengers.
Lawsuit Claims Carnival Knew Flooring Was Hazardous When Wet But Failed to Act
The lawsuit alleges that Carnival had both actual and constructive notice of the dangerous condition. The complaint cites multiple prior passenger slip and fall cases involving the same or similar synthetic decking on other Carnival ships, including the Mardi Gras, Dream, Magic, and Liberty. In those cases, passengers allegedly slipped on wet outdoor decks under similar circumstances.
Marchant’s attorneys argue that Carnival knew from past incidents, safety reports, and crew training materials that its synthetic decking becomes dangerously slippery when wet. Despite this knowledge, Carnival allegedly failed to:
- Implement adequate inspection and cleaning procedures after rain
- Maintain proper records of when decks were inspected and cleaned
- Place caution signs or block off wet areas
- Provide additional safety measures in known hazard zones, such as near smoking areas
Negligent Design and Selection of Slippery Decking Material Alleged
The complaint also accuses Carnival of negligent design, construction, and material selection. It alleges that Carnival was directly involved in designing and overseeing the construction of the Carnival Firenze, including choosing the Bolidt Future Teak decking for high-traffic outdoor areas.
Marchant argues that the chosen material was inappropriate for exterior spaces exposed to rain, seawater, and heavy passenger use. The flooring’s smooth synthetic surface allegedly lacks adequate slip resistance and can conceal the presence of water, increasing the risk of falls.
Plaintiff Sustained Severe Wrist Fracture Requiring Surgery
The lawsuit claims Marchant’s fall caused a serious fracture of her left radius at the wrist, requiring open surgery and the insertion of hardware. She alleges she has suffered and will continue to suffer pain, disability, loss of earning capacity, medical expenses, and diminished quality of life.
Multiple Counts of Negligence Brought Against Carnival
Marchant brings several negligence counts against Carnival, including:
- Negligent failure to maintain
- Negligent failure to warn
- Negligent training of crew
- Negligent design, construction, and selection of materials
She also asserts vicarious liability for the negligence of Carnival’s cleaning and supervisory personnel, alleging they failed to inspect, dry, warn, or block off the hazardous area.
Cruise Ship Slip and Fall Incidents on Outdoor Decks Remain a Recurring Safety Issue
Slip and fall accidents on wet cruise ship decks are a well-documented hazard. Outdoor decks are often made of materials that can become slippery when wet, and passengers may not realize the danger until it’s too late. Maritime law requires cruise lines to take reasonable steps to address such hazards, including design choices, proper maintenance, and adequate warnings.
Contact a Cruise Ship Slip and Fall Attorney if You Were Injured on a Wet Deck
Passengers injured in slip and fall accidents aboard cruise ships may be entitled to compensation under maritime law. If you or a loved one have been injured on a wet deck, especially in an area with a known history of slip hazards, you should speak with an experienced cruise injury attorney about your rights and legal options.
Contact us now to speak with a cruise ship slip and fall lawyer.
