Canadian Passenger Sues Norwegian Cruise Line After Slip and Fall on Wet Deck Near Pool on Norwegian Epic
Loida Reyes, a citizen and resident of Canada, has filed a maritime personal injury lawsuit against NCL (Bahamas) Ltd. in the Southern District of Florida. The lawsuit, filed under Case No. 1:25-cv-25264-FAM, alleges that Reyes suffered severe and permanent injuries after slipping on a wet deck surface near the H2O area on Deck 15 of the Norwegian Epic on December 1, 2025.
Passenger Alleges Slippery Pool Deck Area on Norwegian Epic Caused Serious Injury Without Proper Warnings
According to the complaint, Reyes was walking in the open-air H2O zone on Deck 15 of the Norwegian Epic when she slipped and fell due to excessive water accumulation on the flooring. The lawsuit alleges that the deck surface was wet, slick, and lacked adequate anti-slip treatment. Reyes contends the flooring was unreasonably dangerous given the proximity to the ship’s pool and water features, and that Norwegian failed to provide adequate visual cues, warning signs, or protective measures to alert passengers to the hazard.
The deck surface allegedly created a hidden danger because the material and color of the flooring concealed moisture. Reyes claims she had no reason to anticipate the risk of slipping, as the area did not appear hazardous and no crew members issued verbal or visual warnings. The incident occurred while the deck was open to passengers, and the cruise line allegedly took no steps to close off the area or provide slip-resistant modifications despite the known potential for wet surfaces.
Norwegian Cruise Line Sued for Failing to Address Known Wet Deck Hazards on Norwegian Epic
The lawsuit alleges that NCL had both actual and constructive knowledge of the dangerous conditions on Deck 15. According to the complaint, multiple prior slip and fall incidents occurred in the same area of the Norwegian Epic, including accidents on April 7, 2023, and December 31, 2022. Additional incidents involving wet decks were also reported aboard other vessels in Norwegian’s fleet, including the Norwegian Getaway.
Reyes asserts that despite this history, the cruise line failed to modify its safety procedures, replace the flooring with anti-slip material, or implement a more effective warning system for wet conditions. The complaint argues that Norwegian’s failure to act in response to prior accidents and passenger complaints demonstrates a pattern of disregard for passenger safety and an ongoing failure to correct known hazards in wet deck areas.
Cruise Line Accused of Negligent Maintenance, Inadequate Warnings, and Unsafe Deck Design
Reyes brings three counts of negligence against Norwegian: negligent failure to maintain, negligent failure to warn, and general negligence. She alleges that Norwegian breached its duty to provide a reasonably safe environment under the applicable standards of maritime law. The complaint claims that Norwegian failed to regularly inspect the area for water accumulation, failed to employ non-skid surfacing materials, and failed to post visible caution signs or otherwise warn passengers of the wet deck hazard.
Additionally, Reyes alleges that the deck surface was improperly designed for use in an area known to accumulate water from pools, showers, and weather. She argues that Norwegian could have installed flooring with improved grip or used a more visible deck surface to highlight where wet conditions existed, especially in a high-traffic area routinely used by guests in swimwear and bare feet.
Plaintiff Seeks Compensation for Permanent Injuries, Medical Expenses, and Loss of Enjoyment of Cruise
The complaint alleges that Reyes suffered serious injuries as a result of her fall, including physical pain, disfigurement, emotional distress, and permanent impairment. She also seeks damages for medical expenses, both past and future, as well as for loss of enjoyment of her cruise vacation and related travel. Her legal team argues that the cruise was substantially disrupted by the incident and that her injuries continue to affect her daily life, work capacity, and ability to participate in routine activities.
Injured on a Wet Pool Deck While Cruising? Maritime Law May Entitle You to Compensation
Cruise passengers who slip and fall on wet decks, especially near pools or outdoor areas, may have a valid claim under general maritime law. Cruise lines like Norwegian have a duty to keep public walking areas safe, dry, and clearly marked to prevent foreseeable injuries. When they fail to install proper flooring, provide sufficient warnings, or take action after prior incidents, they can be held liable for resulting harm. If you or someone you love was injured in a similar cruise ship accident, contact our experienced maritime attorneys to explore your 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.
