California Woman Sues Carnival Cruise Line After Slipping on Wet Deck While Walking to Pool on Carnival Celebration
Rita Shapiro, a resident of California, has filed a maritime personal injury lawsuit against Carnival Corporation in the Southern District of Florida. The case, filed under Case No. 1:25-cv-23078-BB, stems from a January 10, 2024 incident aboard the Carnival Celebration, in which Shapiro slipped and fell on a wet deck while walking toward the pool area, allegedly due to Carnival’s failure to maintain safe walking conditions.
Cruise Passenger Slips on Wet Exterior Deck While Approaching Pool Area Aboard Carnival Celebration
According to the complaint, Shapiro was a fare-paying passenger on the Carnival Celebration when she walked onto an exterior deck near the pool and encountered an unreasonably wet and slippery surface. The lawsuit alleges that Carnival failed to maintain the deck in a reasonably safe condition and did not provide any warnings, signage, or crew guidance to alert passengers of the slip hazard.
Shapiro contends that she had no reason to anticipate the condition of the deck, which appeared dry but was in fact slick with water accumulation. As a result, she slipped and fell, suffering serious injuries to her body and extremities.
Carnival Accused of Failing to Inspect and Warn About Wet Deck Hazards on Carnival Celebration
The lawsuit alleges that Carnival breached its duty of care under general maritime law by failing to inspect, clean, or dry the deck surface in a timely manner and by not posting any visible warnings. Shapiro asserts that cruise line crew members knew or should have known that the deck was regularly exposed to water—either from passengers exiting the pool or routine cleaning—and posed a foreseeable danger if left untreated.
The complaint also claims that Carnival failed to follow its own policies and safety procedures related to slip hazards, and failed to equip the deck with non-skid surfacing or mats to reduce the risk of injury.
Plaintiff Seeks Compensation for Ongoing Medical Treatment, Pain and Suffering, and Disrupted Cruise
Shapiro alleges that she sustained painful and lasting injuries from the fall, requiring medical care both onboard and after the cruise. Her injuries are described as permanent or continuing in nature, affecting her mobility and quality of life. She seeks compensation for:
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional distress and loss of enjoyment of life
- Past and future medical expenses
- Loss of earning capacity
- Travel-related losses and the diminished value of her cruise
She also requests a jury trial and damages in excess of $75,000, exclusive of interest and costs.
Cruise Lines May Be Liable for Wet Deck Slip and Fall Incidents Under Maritime Law
Deck areas near pools and other high-traffic exterior zones aboard cruise ships are among the most common sites of passenger slip and fall accidents. Cruise operators like Carnival have a duty to monitor these areas and take reasonable steps to eliminate hazardous conditions, such as puddles, slick surfacing, or poor drainage. Failure to act on known dangers—or to warn passengers of them—can support claims for negligence under maritime law.
If you or a loved one was injured in a fall due to wet deck conditions aboard a cruise ship, our legal team is here to help you evaluate your rights and options.
Contact us now to speak with a cruise ship slip and fall attorney.
