Celebrity Cruises Sued After Slip and Fall in Wet Restroom Aboard Celebrity Constellation
Felesha Burkard, a Florida resident, has filed a maritime personal injury lawsuit against Celebrity Cruises, Inc. in the Southern District of Florida. The complaint, filed under Case No. 1:25-cv-25635-DPG, alleges that Burkard suffered serious injuries after slipping on a wet restroom floor aboard the Celebrity Constellation in the early morning hours of December 3, 2024.
Cruise Passenger Slips in Unmarked Wet Bathroom on Deck 4 of Celebrity Constellation
According to the complaint, Burkard was walking into a bathroom near the Martini Bar on Deck 4 around 1:00 A.M. when she suddenly slipped on the freshly mopped floor, which lacked any caution signage or visible barriers. She fell forcefully to the ground, injuring multiple parts of her body, including her left ankle, left knee, right wrist, right hand, and lower back. The lawsuit claims the crew admitted fault immediately after the incident, allegedly telling Burkard they failed to place any wet floor warning signs or dry the area properly, assuming no guests would use the restroom at that hour.
Celebrity Cruises Accused of Failing to Maintain Safe Bathroom Conditions for Passengers
Burkard alleges that Celebrity Cruises breached its duty of care by failing to inspect and maintain the restroom in a safe condition. The lawsuit argues that the cruise line’s crew failed to ensure the bathroom was dry or marked as hazardous after mopping, despite being aware of the risks involved in leaving wet floors unmonitored. The crew had moved on to clean other bathrooms, leaving the area unattended and unsafe for passengers, according to the complaint.
Celebrity Faced Similar Lawsuits Over Wet Bathroom Incidents on Other Vessels
To support its claims of notice, the lawsuit cites several prior incidents aboard Celebrity vessels where passengers slipped in wet bathroom areas under similar circumstances. These include:
- Biswas v. Celebrity Cruises, Inc. (2023): Passenger slipped on a wet restroom floor aboard the Celebrity Summit after crew failed to dry the area.
- Webber v. Celebrity Cruises, Inc. (2017): Slip and fall in a bathroom on the Celebrity Silhouette where no warnings were posted.
- Hart v. Celebrity Cruises, Inc. (2012): Passenger injured in a deck 10 restroom on the Celebrity Millennium due to a recently mopped floor.
These cases are presented as evidence that Celebrity Cruises was aware—or should have been aware—of the dangers of wet restroom flooring, particularly during or after cleaning activities, and failed to implement adequate safeguards across its fleet.
Complaint Alleges Failure to Warn, Inadequate Training, and Crew Negligence
The complaint includes four counts of negligence against Celebrity Cruises:
- Failure to Maintain: The cruise line allegedly failed to inspect and maintain safe restroom conditions.
- Failure to Warn: There were no warning signs, verbal cautions, or visual cues alerting passengers to the wet floor.
- Negligent Training and Supervision: The crew were not properly trained to prevent or address hazardous conditions after mopping, including setting up signs or cordoning off the area.
- Vicarious Liability: Celebrity is alleged to be liable under the doctrine of respondeat superior for the actions of its housekeeping staff, who mopped the floor but failed to warn or prevent access to the area.
The complaint argues that these actions and omissions directly caused Burkard’s fall and subsequent injuries.
Plaintiff Seeks Compensation for Medical Expenses, Pain, and Lost Wages Due to Celebrity’s Negligence
As a result of the fall, Burkard claims she suffered permanent and continuing injuries that have required ongoing medical treatment and have affected her ability to work and enjoy life. She seeks damages for medical costs, lost wages, pain and suffering, disability, and the lost value of her cruise. The lawsuit emphasizes that the accident occurred due to preventable safety failures by Celebrity’s staff and procedures.
Contact a Cruise Ship Restroom Slip and Fall Lawyer If You’ve Been Injured Due to Unsafe Cleaning Practices
Passengers who suffer injuries on cruise ships due to wet, slippery, or improperly maintained restroom areas may have legal rights under maritime law. Cruise lines have a duty to maintain safe public spaces and to warn of known hazards, particularly those created by their own employees. If you or a loved one slipped and fell aboard a cruise ship due to crew negligence or lack of safety protocols, contact our legal team for a confidential consultation.
Contact us now to speak with a cruise injury attorney experienced in restroom and slip and fall cases.
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.
