Florida Passenger Sues Celebrity Cruises After Tripping on Warped Floor Mat Aboard Celebrity Reflection
Ellen Flanagan, a resident of Venice, Florida, has filed a maritime personal injury lawsuit against Celebrity Cruises, Inc. in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida. The lawsuit, filed under Case No. 1:26-cv-20432-KMM, alleges that Flanagan sustained severe and permanent injuries after tripping on an improperly placed and hazardous floor mat while entering the Ocean View Café aboard the Celebrity Reflection on February 6, 2025.
Passenger Injured Entering Ocean View Café Due to Tripping Hazard Created by Uneven Floor Mat
According to the complaint, the incident occurred during the afternoon hours while the Celebrity Reflection was navigating navigable waters. Flanagan was entering the Ocean View Café from the exterior stern seating area through automatic doors when she tripped on a loose black floor mat. The lawsuit asserts that the mat was not flush with the deck surface and had a raised front edge that was not readily apparent to passengers. Flanagan claims that despite looking forward and paying attention, the edge of the mat caught her sandal, causing her to fall forward with the full force of her body. The plaintiff alleges she sustained a severe fracture to her left humerus requiring surgical repair, along with other permanent injuries that have significantly impacted her daily life. The complaint contends that crew members routinely placed these loose mats in the area to address condensation but failed to ensure they remained flat and secure, thereby creating a dangerous condition for guests.
Celebrity Cruises Accused of Negligent Maintenance and Failure to Inspect High-Traffic Passenger Walkways
The lawsuit alleges that Celebrity Cruises had a duty to maintain its vessel in a reasonably safe condition but failed to do so. Flanagan’s legal team argues that the cruise line breached its duty by allowing the floor mat in a high-traffic dining entrance to become warped, curled, or bunched. The complaint states that the defendant failed to properly inspect, secure, or monitor the mat, despite knowing that such mats can shift and create tripping hazards if not properly maintained. The plaintiff asserts that the hazardous condition existed for an extended period, noting that the Ocean View Café had been open for food service for several hours prior to the incident. The filing further claims that crew members in the vicinity failed to rectify the hazard or warn passengers, despite company policies and industry standards requiring the maintenance of safe escape routes and walkways.
Complaint Alleges Failure to Warn Passengers of Known Tripping Hazards and Prior Similar Incidents
In addition to negligent maintenance, the lawsuit charges Celebrity Cruises with a failure to warn passengers of the danger posed by the uneven floor mat. Flanagan claims there were no warning signs, visual markers, or verbal alerts to inform guests of the tripping hazard at the café entrance. The complaint alleges that Celebrity had actual or constructive notice of the danger based on prior similar incidents within the Royal Caribbean Group fleet, of which Celebrity is a subsidiary. The plaintiff cites specific previous lawsuits involving passengers tripping on uneven rugs or mats on other vessels, suggesting a pattern of negligence regarding walkway safety. The lawsuit argues that because the dark color of the mat could camouflage the raised edge or blending with the surrounding deck, the hazard was not open or obvious to passengers, making the lack of warnings particularly egregious.
Plaintiff Claims Negligent Training and Design Contributed to Severe Injuries and Long-Term Damages
The complaint also includes counts for negligent training of personnel and negligent design and selection of materials. Flanagan asserts that Celebrity Cruises failed to adequately train its crew members on how to inspect walkways, identify tripping hazards, and properly secure floor mats. The lawsuit further alleges that the cruise line was negligent in its design of the Ocean View Café entrance and its selection of floor mats that were prone to curling or shifting. As a result of these alleged failures, Flanagan seeks damages for past and future medical expenses, physical therapy, pain and suffering, physical impairment, and loss of enjoyment of life. The plaintiff contends that her injuries are permanent and were directly caused by the cruise line’s multiple failures to exercise reasonable care for passenger safety.
Contact a Cruise Ship Trip and Fall Injury Lawyer Today if You Were Hurt Due to Unsafe Walkway Conditions
Cruise lines have a responsibility to keep passenger walkways free from hidden dangers, including improperly placed or maintained floor mats. When a cruise ship operator fails to secure flooring or warn guests of potential tripping hazards, injured passengers may have the right to seek compensation for their medical bills and other losses under maritime law. If you or a loved one suffered a serious injury due to a trip and fall accident on a cruise ship, contact our experienced maritime injury attorneys to discuss your case. We are dedicated to helping victims of cruise line negligence understand their legal rights and pursue fair compensation.
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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.
