Florida Man Sues Royal Caribbean After Burn Injuries on Hot Pool Deck Aboard Icon of the Seas
David Klein, a Florida resident, has filed a maritime personal injury lawsuit against Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. in the Southern District of Florida. The lawsuit, filed under Case No. 1:25-cv-23710-BB, alleges that Klein suffered severe second- and third-degree burns to his feet while walking barefoot on an unreasonably hot pool deck aboard the Icon of the Seas on July 3, 2024.
Cruise Passenger Burned by Scalding Pool Deck on Icon of the Seas During Family Vacation
According to the complaint, Klein was vacationing with his family aboard Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas between June 29 and July 6, 2024. While accompanying his daughter to a waterslide, Klein waited barefoot on the pool deck and deck steps, unaware that the surfaces had become dangerously hot. Due to his pre-existing diabetic peripheral neuropathy, which causes reduced sensation in his feet, Klein could not detect the severity of the heat and sustained second- and third-degree burns before realizing the danger.
The lawsuit claims that the dangerously hot deck surface was neither open nor obvious, and that Royal Caribbean failed to provide any warnings, signage, or verbal advisories to alert passengers of the hazard. As a result of the injuries, Klein required emergency medical treatment and was forced to disembark the cruise early after developing an infection. He has since undergone extensive wound care.
Royal Caribbean Accused of Failing to Warn Passengers About Risk of Burn Injuries from Overheated Decking
Klein’s legal team alleges that Royal Caribbean breached its duty of care by failing to warn passengers about the potential danger of walking barefoot on the pool deck. The lawsuit outlines several alleged failures, including the cruise line’s failure to post warning signs, inform guests about the need for protective footwear, and advise passengers against standing barefoot in line for waterslides. The suit also claims the cruise line did not take reasonable measures to prevent theft of personal items like shoes, which might have otherwise encouraged Klein to keep his footwear on.
The complaint argues that had Royal Caribbean provided proper warnings or precautions, Klein would not have exposed his bare feet to the scorching surfaces. The burns, according to the suit, were avoidable and occurred only due to the cruise line’s negligence in failing to communicate known hazards to its guests.
Plaintiff Cites Prior Burn Incidents Aboard Cruise Ships as Evidence of Royal Caribbean’s Knowledge
The lawsuit states that Royal Caribbean either knew or should have known about the risk of burn injuries from overheated pool deck surfaces. Klein’s attorneys reference multiple prior cases in the Southern District of Florida and other courts involving similar incidents. These include Rodak v. Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., Woigman v. Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., and Worthington v. Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., all of which involved severe burns from walking barefoot on hot cruise ship decks.
Additional cited cases include Mizel v. Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. in the Eastern District of New York, as well as burn injury claims involving other major cruise lines like Carnival. The suit also points to widespread media coverage warning the public about scalding hot decks on cruise ships, suggesting that Royal Caribbean had ample notice of the danger yet failed to adopt necessary safeguards aboard the Icon of the Seas.
Lawsuit Alleges Dangerous Pool Deck Conditions and Inadequate Maintenance on Icon of the Seas
Beyond the failure to warn, Klein’s lawsuit asserts that Royal Caribbean failed to maintain the pool deck in a safe condition. The pool deck, frequently trafficked by barefoot passengers, allegedly reached unreasonably high temperatures due to sun exposure and lack of shading. The suit claims the cruise line failed to monitor surface temperatures, install cooling measures, or use materials suited for high-heat environments. Klein’s attorneys also argue that Royal Caribbean failed to close off dangerous sections of the deck or apply protective coverings to reduce burn risk.
The lawsuit further contends that Royal Caribbean failed to follow manufacturer guidelines for deck surface materials in high-heat conditions and failed to implement policies to prevent passenger injuries, such as instructing guests to wear shoes or providing mats in high-traffic areas.
Plaintiff Seeks Compensation for Permanent Burn Injuries, Medical Expenses, and Lost Value of Cruise
Klein brings three counts of negligence against Royal Caribbean: negligent failure to warn, negligent failure to maintain, and general negligence. He asserts that the cruise line breached its duty to provide reasonable care and created a foreseeable risk of injury through its acts and omissions. As a result of the incident, Klein alleges he suffered permanent burn injuries, pain and suffering, emotional distress, medical expenses, disability, and disfigurement. He also claims lost wages and diminished earning capacity, as well as the loss of enjoyment and value of his cruise vacation.
Burned Your Feet on a Hot Cruise Ship Deck? Know Your Rights Under Maritime Law
Cruise ship passengers who suffer burn injuries due to dangerously hot deck surfaces may be entitled to compensation under maritime law. Cruise lines like Royal Caribbean have a legal obligation to maintain safe conditions aboard their vessels, especially in high-traffic recreational areas like pool decks and waterslide lines. If you or a loved one suffered serious burns on a cruise ship due to overheated decking, lack of warnings, or poor maintenance, you may have grounds for a legal claim.
Contact us now to speak with a cruise ship burn injury attorney.
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.
