California Passenger Sues Royal Caribbean After Slip and Fall on Harmony of the Seas Central Park Deck
Jaimie Lewis, a resident of California, has filed a maritime personal injury lawsuit against Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida. The civil action, identified as Case No. 1:26-cv-20433, alleges that Lewis sustained severe injuries, including a concussion and a puncture wound, after slipping on a wet and slippery walkway within the Central Park area of the Harmony of the Seas on November 9, 2024.
Wet Central Park Walkway on Harmony of the Seas Allegedly Posed Hidden Danger to Cruise Ship Guests
According to the complaint filed by her attorneys, the incident occurred while Lewis was a fare-paying passenger aboard the Harmony of the Seas. The lawsuit details that the vessel features a neighborhood known as Central Park on Deck 8, which offers passengers an array of dining and retail options. Unlike many interior areas of the ship, Central Park is an open-air environment with walkways that are exposed to the elements, including rain and condensation. Lewis alleges that on the day of her fall, the tiled walkway in this high-traffic area had become wet due to rain. The complaint asserts that the wet tile created a hazardous condition that was not open or obvious to reasonable passengers. Lewis contends that she could not perceive the degree of slipperiness on the walking surface before she stepped onto it, causing her to slip and fall backward onto the hard deck.
Lawsuit Cites Multiple Prior Slip and Fall Accidents on Oasis Class Vessels as Proof of Notice
A central element of the lawsuit is the allegation that Royal Caribbean had actual or constructive notice of the danger posed by the Central Park flooring. The plaintiff’s legal team argues that the Harmony of the Seas, along with other Oasis-class vessels such as the Allure of the Seas and Symphony of the Seas, share similar styling, structure, and flooring surfaces in their Central Park areas. To support the claim that the cruise line was aware of the risk, the complaint lists eleven specific prior lawsuits involving passengers who allegedly slipped and fell on wet Central Park walkways between 2020 and 2024. The filing cites recent cases involving similar accidents on the Harmony, Symphony, and Allure, suggesting a pattern of hazardous conditions that the cruise line failed to rectify. Lewis argues that because Royal Caribbean regularly investigates these shipboard accidents, the company knew that the walkways become unreasonably slippery when wet yet failed to take adequate preventative measures.
Allegations of Negligent Maintenance and Failure to Warn Passengers of Slippery Deck Conditions
The lawsuit brings counts of negligent maintenance and negligent failure to warn against the cruise line. Lewis alleges that Royal Caribbean breached its duty of reasonable care by failing to maintain the Central Park deck in a safe condition for pedestrians. The complaint outlines several specific failures, including the lack of anti-slip applications on the flooring and the failure to place wet floor warning signs in the area despite the known hazard. Lewis further claims that the cruise line failed to follow its own internal policies and procedures, which purportedly require staff to cordon off wet areas or deploy personnel to dry the floors. The plaintiff argues that the lack of signage, warning cones, or verbal warnings left her unaware of the imminent danger, leading directly to her accident. The legal filing suggests that the cruise line chose not to restrict passenger access to the area until it was dried or otherwise made safe, thereby exposing guests to unreasonable risk.
Plaintiff Seeks Compensation for Concussion and Head Injuries Resulting from Cruise Ship Negligence
As a direct result of the fall, Lewis claims to have suffered significant physical and emotional damages. The complaint specifies that she sustained a concussion, serious injuries to her neck, and a puncture wound to the back of her head. The lawsuit seeks compensation for past and future medical expenses, physical impairment, disability, and the aggravation of pre-existing conditions. Additionally, Lewis is pursuing damages for pain and suffering, mental anguish, and the loss of capacity to enjoy life. The plaintiff asserts that her injuries are permanent and continuing in nature. By filing this action, she seeks to hold Royal Caribbean accountable for the alleged negligence that disrupted her vacation and impacted her long-term health.
Contact a Cruise Ship Slip and Fall Lawyer Today if You Were Injured on a Wet Deck
Cruise lines have a legal obligation to maintain safe premises for their passengers and to warn them of non-obvious hazards. When a cruise ship operator fails to address known dangers, such as slippery outdoor walkways that lack proper traction or warning signs, injured passengers may be entitled to compensation under maritime law. If you or a loved one suffered a serious injury due to a slip and fall accident on a cruise ship, it is vital to speak with an experienced attorney who understands the complexities of maritime injury claims. Our team is dedicated to helping victims navigate the legal process and pursue the justice they deserve.
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.
