Colorado Woman Sues NCL After Slip and Fall on Theatre Stairs Aboard Norwegian Aqua
Veann Klipstein, a resident of Colorado, has filed a maritime personal injury lawsuit against NCL (Bahamas) Ltd. in the Southern District of Florida. The lawsuit, filed under Case No. 1:26-cv-20954-KMW, alleges that Klipstein suffered severe and permanent injuries after slipping and falling on a staircase within the Aqua Theatre aboard the Norwegian Aqua on April 6, 2025.
Cruise Passenger Injured in Aqua Theatre Due to Slippery Stair Nosings and Lack of Accessible Handrails
According to the complaint, the incident occurred while Klipstein was traveling down the stairs between Decks 6 and 7 of the Norwegian Aqua. While descending, she slipped on a stair nosing and fell, resulting in serious injuries to her left ankle, right wrist, and ribs. The plaintiff alleges the subject area constituted a dangerous condition because the stairs lacked reasonably accessible handrails and the stair nosings were unreasonably slippery due to a lack of anti-slip applications. Additionally, the complaint describes the theatre environment at the time of the accident as chaotic, with more than 100 people being admitted within a 15 minute period, which reportedly clogged the stairs and made safe traversal difficult.
NCL Accused of Failing to Maintain Safe Theatre Conditions Despite Knowledge of Building Code Standards
The lawsuit alleges that NCL had both actual and constructive knowledge of the hazards based on several factors. The plaintiff’s legal team points out that the International Building Code requires handrails on each side of a stairway, a standard the defendant allegedly relied upon when the Norwegian Aqua was put into service in 2025. Furthermore, the complaint highlights that NCL had installed handrails on other sets of stairs within the very same Aqua Theatre, yet failed to provide them for the set of stairs where the fall occurred. The plaintiff also claims that while NCL utilized caution tape with anti-slip properties on other steps throughout the vessel, it failed to apply similar corrective measures to the subject area.
Norwegian Cruise Line Put on Notice by Prior Slip and Fall Incidents Involving Theatre Stairs
To establish notice of the dangerous condition, the complaint references prior litigation involving NCL vessels. Specifically, the plaintiff cites the case of Sarasota v. NCL (Bahamas) Ltd., which involved a passenger fall in 2015 aboard the Norwegian Jewel attributed to a lack of adequate handrails in a theatre. Klipstein asserts that this prior incident should have put the cruise line on notice that theatre stairs without accessible handrails constitute a significant risk to passenger safety. The lawsuit further alleges that NCL failed to properly monitor the volume of passengers entering the theatre, despite stationing a crewmember at the entrance specifically to manage the flow of traffic.
Plaintiff Seeks Damages for Surgery and Permanent Injuries Resulting from Cruise Ship Negligence
Klipstein brings three counts of negligence against NCL: negligent failure to maintain, general negligence, and negligent failure to warn. She claims the cruise line breached its duty of reasonable care by failing to provide a safe walking surface, failing to limit the number of passengers moving through the theatre, and failing to warn of the slippery nature of the stairs. As a result of the fall, Klipstein underwent surgery and continues to suffer from medical complications, physical pain, and mental anguish. The lawsuit seeks compensation for medical expenses, loss of enjoyment of life, impaired working ability, and the lost value of her vacation and transportation costs.
Contact a Cruise Ship Theatre Injury Lawyer Today if You Were Hurt on a Vessel in Unsafe Conditions
Cruise passengers injured due to improperly maintained stairways, slippery flooring, or overcrowded public spaces may be entitled to significant compensation under maritime law. Cruise operators like NCL have a legal responsibility to ensure that all areas of the ship, including theatres and transit paths, are equipped with necessary safety features like handrails and non-slip surfaces. If you or a loved one suffered an injury in a slip and fall accident while on a cruise, contact our team of experienced maritime injury lawyers today. We are dedicated to helping victims navigate the complexities of maritime litigation and holding cruise lines accountable for unsafe conditions.
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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.
