Colorado Woman Sues Royal Caribbean After Trip and Fall on Uneven Flooring Near Schooner Bar Aboard Voyager of the Seas
Dana Pease, a resident of Colorado, has filed a maritime personal injury lawsuit against Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd. in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida. The lawsuit, filed under Case No. 1:26-cv-21129-RKA, alleges that Pease suffered severe and permanent injuries after tripping over a hidden metal railing and uneven flooring while walking through a high-traffic lounge area on the Voyager of the Seas on March 13, 2025.
Cruise Passenger Injured Near Schooner Bar on Voyager of the Seas Due to Hidden Carpet Edging and Uneven Floor
According to the complaint, the incident occurred while Pease was a paying passenger navigating the area of the ship containing the Schooner Bar. While walking in this location, where the cruise line reasonably expects passengers to be, she allegedly tripped over a metal railing or carpet edging that was hidden from view. The lawsuit claims the flooring in this passenger walkway was uneven and created a hazardous condition that was not open or obvious to guests. Pease asserts that Royal Caribbean failed to provide a reasonably safe environment and neglected to place any warning signs or verbal alerts regarding the change in elevation or the placement of the metal threshold.
Royal Caribbean Accused of Having Actual Knowledge of Trip and Fall Hazards Based on Prior Fleetwide Incidents
The lawsuit alleges that Royal Caribbean had both actual and constructive knowledge of the dangerous flooring conditions. To support the claim of notice, the plaintiff’s legal team cites a significant history of similar accidents involving unmarked raised metal thresholds and changes in elevation across the Royal Caribbean fleet. The complaint identifies multiple prior incidents occurring on vessels such as the Oasis of the Seas, Explorer of the Seas, Harmony of the Seas, and Allure of the Seas between 2022 and 2023. Furthermore, the complaint references several past lawsuits filed in the Southern District of Florida, including Jung v. RCCL and Kramer v. RCCL, to demonstrate that the cruise line was well aware of the risks posed by these specific flooring designs but failed to take corrective action to prevent future passenger injuries.
Complaint Alleges Negligent Maintenance and Failure to Warn of Unreasonably Dangerous Walkway Hazards
Pease brings several counts of negligence against the cruise line, including negligent failure to warn, negligent maintenance, general negligence, and vicarious liability. The legal filing argues that Royal Caribbean breached its non-delegable duty to provide reasonable care by failing to adequately inspect and monitor its walkways for tripping hazards. The plaintiff claims that the cruise line should have implemented industry standards for high-traffic areas, such as using caution signs or blocking off access to areas with hazardous elevation changes. The lawsuit also alleges that Royal Caribbean is vicariously liable for the negligence of its crewmembers who were responsible for performing regular walkthroughs and reporting hazards like the metal carpet thresholds involved in this accident.
Plaintiff Seeks Damages for Permanent Disability and Medical Expenses Resulting from Royal Caribbean Negligence
As a direct result of the fall, Pease claims she suffered severe injuries to her body and extremities, resulting in physical pain, mental anguish, and a permanent loss of enjoyment of life. The lawsuit seeks compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and the impairment of her future working ability. Additionally, Pease is seeking damages for the lost value of her cruise vacation and related transportation costs, alleging that the injuries are continuing in nature and will require ongoing care. The complaint emphasizes that the incident could have been avoided if the cruise line had followed its own internal safety policies or provided adequate warnings to its passengers.
Contact a Cruise Ship Trip and Fall Lawyer Today if You Were Injured by Hazardous Flooring or Hidden Thresholds
Cruise passengers who suffer injuries due to hidden tripping hazards, uneven flooring, or unmarked metal thresholds may be eligible for compensation under maritime law. Cruise companies like Royal Caribbean are legally required to maintain their vessels in a safe condition and warn travelers of any foreseeable dangers in common areas. If you or a loved one experienced a similar injury while on a cruise, contacting an experienced maritime attorney can help you understand the complexities of filing a claim against a major cruise line.
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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.
