Carnival Faces Passenger Lawsuit Over Hot Tub Slip and Fall on Deck 5 Aboard Carnival Magic
Case Name: Ingrid Barnes v. Carnival Corporation
Case Number: 1:25-cv-21722-RAR
Jurisdiction: U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida
Filing Date: April 15, 2025
Plaintiff: Ingrid Barnes, resident of Louisiana
Defendant: Carnival Corporation (Panama-incorporated, principal place of business in Florida)
Incident Date: May 9, 2024
Location: Deck 5 hot tub stairs aboard Carnival Magic
Complaint Alleges Negligent Design, Maintenance, and Failure to Warn About Dangerous Stair Conditions
Claims: Plaintiff alleges that while descending stairs from the Deck 5 hot tub, she slipped on wet steps and suffered significant injuries. She asserts Carnival was negligent in three key respects:
- Failure to maintain safe, dry conditions on the stairs
- Failure to warn passengers of slippery conditions
- Use of substandard flooring or non-skid materials on the stairs
Barnes seeks damages exceeding $75,000 for pain and suffering, medical expenses, loss of enjoyment of life, and permanent disability.
Legal Analysis & Implications
Duty of Reasonable Care Under Maritime Law
Cruise lines owe their passengers a duty of “reasonable care under the circumstances”, as outlined by federal maritime law. Courts have interpreted this duty as context-specific, meaning shipowners must consider known risks—such as wet surfaces near pools or hot tubs.
In Barnes’ case, the stairs were located next to a hot tub, a high-traffic, high-moisture zone. The plaintiff argues that Carnival:
- Knew or should have known the stairs would become slippery
- Used inadequate anti-slip surfaces, relying only on narrow metal strips on stair nosings
- Failed to post signs or warn passengers of the hazard
These allegations echo earlier cases involving transitory foreign substances, a common source of cruise ship liability. The plaintiff contends her injuries were foreseeable and preventable through better maintenance and design.
Forum and Jurisdiction
Barnes filed suit in federal court under diversity jurisdiction (28 U.S.C. § 1332) and designated the case under admiralty law (28 U.S.C. § 1333). The case was filed in the Southern District of Florida in accordance with Carnival’s forum-selection clause, which mandates litigation in Miami.
Trend & Policy Analysis
Slippery Surfaces Remain Leading Cause of Passenger Injuries
Slip-and-fall cases continue to dominate passenger personal injury claims against cruise lines. Ships with open-air or pool deck stairways face heightened scrutiny, especially when minimal slip-resistant material is used.
Barnes’ case may turn on:
- Whether Carnival had notice of prior similar incidents
- The adequacy of non-skid surfaces on Deck 5 stairs
- Crew protocols for cleaning and inspection near hot tubs
If successful, this lawsuit could encourage cruise lines to implement stricter standards for stair surfacing and signage in spa and pool zones.
Contact Us Today
If you’ve suffered a slip and fall or other injury on a cruise ship, you may have a right to compensation under federal maritime law. Cruise lines have a legal duty to maintain reasonably safe conditions for passengers—especially in high-risk areas like pools, hot tubs, and deck stairways.
To protect your rights and explore your legal options, contact a maritime attorney today. Time is limited under cruise contracts and federal law—don’t wait to take action.
