Carnival Faces Lawsuit Over Wet Staircase Slip-and-Fall Aboard Carnival Breeze
Case Name: Raegan Copeland v. Carnival Corporation
Case Number: 1:25-cv-21765-RKA
Jurisdiction: U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida, Miami Division
Filing Date: April 17, 2025
Plaintiff: Raegan Copeland, Texas resident
Defendant: Carnival Corporation, a Panama-incorporated cruise line with principal office in Miami
Vessel: Carnival Breeze
Incident Date: May 27, 2024
Location: Interior midship staircase between Decks 4 and 3
Complaint Alleges Slippery Surfaces, Poor Design, and Inadequate Warnings Led to Passenger’s Injury
According to the complaint, Copeland slipped and fell while descending an interior staircase aboard Carnival Breeze. The stairs and handrail were allegedly wet and slippery—caused by either condensation or another liquid—creating a hazard that was neither visible nor warned against. Despite attempting to hold the handrail, Copeland could not prevent the fall.
The plaintiff suffered serious injuries and claims lasting physical, emotional, and financial damage, including:
- Disability and disfigurement
- Medical bills and lost wages
- Permanent loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of vacation and cruise value
Legal Claims
Copeland brings four counts of negligence under general maritime law:
- Negligent Failure to Warn
- No signage or verbal notice of wet steps or handrails
- Failure to warn of prior similar falls (citing Taylor v. Carnival, Donaldson v. Carnival)
- Lack of barrier or caution markers near the slippery area
- Negligent Maintenance
- Improper inspection of high-traffic stairways
- Inadequate drying, mopping, or anti-slip surface application
- Continued access to the area despite visible hazards
- Negligent Design
- Use of allegedly hazardous flooring materials not suited for moist interior environments
- Poor drainage or condensation control
- Insufficient handrails and non-skid features in stairwell design
- General Negligence
- Lack of adequate training, policies, and oversight
- Failure to analyze and prevent recurring hazards from past incidents
- Unsafe conditions compounded by the cruise line’s own standards for flooring material
Each count underscores Carnival’s duty to provide reasonable care under the circumstances, especially in high-traffic interior areas where liquid buildup is foreseeable.
Trend & Policy Analysis
Pattern of Slippery Stairwell Litigation on Carnival Breeze
The plaintiff’s legal team points to multiple prior lawsuits involving the same or similar staircases on Carnival Breeze, reinforcing the argument that Carnival had actual or constructive knowledge of the risks:
- Taylor v. Carnival (2024): Passenger slipped on wet staircase in similar location
- Donaldson v. Carnival (2020): Nearly identical slip-and-fall on interior stairwell
This pattern could bolster Copeland’s claim that Carnival failed to take reasonable steps to correct a known and recurring hazard. Moreover, the complaint emphasizes Carnival’s own role in selecting and approving materials—suggesting liability extends beyond crew behavior to the corporate level.
Contact Us Today
If you’ve suffered a fall aboard a cruise ship due to unsafe walking surfaces, poor design, or failure to warn, you may be entitled to compensation under federal maritime law. Cruise lines must take reasonable steps to prevent injuries—even in areas affected by condensation or spills.
Contact an experienced maritime attorney to discuss your options. Most cruise contracts include time limits to file suit, so acting quickly is essential to preserve your rights.
