California Woman Sues Disney Cruise Line After Slip and Fall on Wet Pool Deck Boarding the Disney Dream
Sabrina Keys, a resident of California, has filed a maritime personal injury lawsuit against Magical Cruise Company, Limited, doing business as Disney Cruise Line, in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida. The lawsuit, filed under Case No. 6:26-cv-00910-CEM-DCI, alleges that Keys suffered serious and permanent injuries after slipping on an unreasonably wet and hazardous flooring surface while walking on the pool deck of the Disney Dream on May 16, 2025.
Cruise Passenger Injured on Disney Dream Pool Deck Due to Slippery Surface with No Warning Signs
According to the complaint, the incident occurred while Keys was a paying passenger aboard the Disney Dream while the vessel was operating in navigable waters. While walking on Deck 11 in the designated pool deck area, she encountered a dangerously slippery flooring condition that severely injured her left knee and leg. The lawsuit asserts that the floor material, design, color, and finish easily concealed wet spots, making it virtually impossible for the plaintiff to discern whether the walking surface was wet or dry before her fall. Because the hazard was not open or obvious, the complaint argues there was nothing the passenger could have done to prevent the accident. Although Disney Cruise Line maintains internal safety protocols, policies, and procedures regarding slip risks, the lawsuit alleges the crew failed to keep the area dry or provide appropriate warnings.
Disney Cruise Line Accused of Failing to Maintain and Safely Inspect Dangerous Decks
The lawsuit alleges that Disney Cruise Line had both actual and constructive knowledge of the unsafe walking conditions on the vessel. The complaint states that the cruise line is fully aware that many passenger accidents result from falls on slippery surfaces, which requires these public areas to be regularly maintained, swept, dried, and properly cleaned. Through routine maintenance and inspection of the pool deck, Disney knew or should have known that the dangerous condition existed for a sufficient length of time to correct it or warn passengers. Furthermore, the plaintiff claims that Disney’s knowledge was or should have been acquired through prior incidents involving similar slip and fall accidents on the exact same type of flooring material across its fleet where other passengers alleged the surface became dangerously slick when wet.
Complaint Alleges Defective Flooring Selection and Lack of Slip Resistant Mats on Disney Vessel
In addition to failing to warn passengers, Keys alleges that Disney Cruise Line failed to properly design and maintain a safe walking environment. The complaint argues that the flooring material selected and installed by Disney does not possess a sufficiently high coefficient of friction on its own or when covered in a transitory substance, creating an inherent hazard given the heavy foot traffic and anticipated purpose of the pool deck. The lawsuit contends that Disney breached its duties by failing to place adequate anti-slip mats, slip-resistant materials, or warning signs in the area, and failed to block off the wet section of the deck to prevent passengers from walking through the hazard.
Plaintiff Seeks Damages for Permanent Knee Injury and Loss of Vacation Value Due to Disney Negligence
Keys brings three counts of negligence against Disney Cruise Line: negligent failure to warn, negligent maintenance, and general negligence. She claims the cruise line breached its non-delegable duty to provide passengers with reasonable care under the circumstances. As a direct and proximate result of this negligence, Keys suffered severe injuries to her body and extremities, physical pain, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life, disability, disfigurement, and physical handicap. The lawsuit states her injuries are permanent and continuing in nature, requiring ongoing medical treatment and impacting her future working ability and wages. Additionally, she seeks compensation for the lost benefit of her cruise vacation, transportation costs, and related expenses.
Contact a Cruise Ship Pool Deck Injury Lawyer Today if You Were Hurt on a Vessel
Cruise passengers injured while walking on wet pool decks, slippery walkways, or poorly maintained surfaces may be entitled to financial compensation under federal maritime law. Cruise operators have a strict legal obligation to maintain all public decks in a reasonably safe condition and to warn passengers of hidden slipping hazards. If you or a loved one suffered a severe injury during a cruise vacation due to unsafe conditions or lack of caution signs, contact our team of experienced maritime attorneys today to evaluate your case and explore your legal options.
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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.
