Florida Passenger Sues Royal Caribbean After Slip and Fall on Wet Lido Deck Aboard Freedom of the Seas
Margaret Kearse, a resident of Florida, has initiated a federal maritime personal injury action against Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida. The lawsuit, docketed under Case No. 1:26-cv-25816-RKA, stems from an incident aboard the Freedom of the Seas on September 20, 2025. Kearse contends that she suffered substantial, debilitating physical harm after slipping on a dangerous and slick foreign substance that had been left unattended across the vessel’s Lido deck flooring.
Serious Personal Injuries Reported After Slip and Fall on Wet Foreign Substance on Freedom of the Seas Lido Deck
According to the filed complaint, Kearse was lawfully traversing the open Lido deck as a ticketed passenger when she suddenly lost traction and collapsed to the deck surface. The legal filing highlights that the deck area was coated with an accumulation of a wet and slippery foreign liquid or substance that compromised passenger safety. Cruise ship pool and Lido decks endure continuous guest movement, requiring constant housekeeping protocols, yet the hazard remained unmitigated and unaddressed. Kearse maintains that the dangerous deck condition was not open, obvious, or readily apparent to an ordinary passenger navigating the public thoroughfare, ultimately causing her to suffer sudden and severe physical trauma.
Royal Caribbean Accused of Negligent Failure to Inspect and Maintain Safe Deck Flooring for Passengers
Under federal general maritime law, passenger vessel operators owe their guests a fundamental duty to exercise reasonable care under the circumstances. The complaint charges Royal Caribbean with negligence for failing to maintain the Lido deck floor in a reasonably safe condition, failing to execute adequate flooring inspections, and failing to timely locate and remove standing slick substances. Because cruise lines hold exclusive care, custody, and control over shipboard common spaces, the plaintiff argues that the carrier breached foundational maritime safety obligations by permitting high-traffic deck surfaces to become slip hazards.
Lawsuit Asserts Actual and Constructive Notice of Recurring Slip Hazards on Open Lido Deck Spaces
A central pillar of the litigation addresses the legal standard of notice required under maritime jurisprudence. The plaintiff alleges that Royal Caribbean possessed actual knowledge of the wet condition or, in the alternative, constructive knowledge due to the substantial length of time the liquid sat on the Lido deck prior to the fall. Furthermore, the complaint asserts that such slippery conditions occur with regularity in the Lido deck environment, rendering the hazard entirely foreseeable to ship personnel. The filing notes that experienced crew members knew or should have known of the imminent slip risk, yet failed to deploy warnings, caution signs, or safety barriers around the wet zone.
Passenger Claims Inadequate Staff Safety Training and Demands Compensation for Continuing Physical Impairment
The lawsuit outlines three distinct counts of maritime negligence: failure to maintain the vessel flooring, failure to warn passengers of known slippery hazards, and failure to train crew members on critical inspection and safety measures. Kearse claims the cruise line did not instruct its shipboard team on proper cleaning protocols or systematic hazard detection routines. As a direct result of the slip and fall, the plaintiff allegedly suffered physical injuries, pain and suffering, aggravation of preexisting conditions, physical disability, mental anguish, humiliation, loss of capacity to enjoy life, lost wages, and steep medical and nursing expenses. The complaint states these damages are permanent and continuing, necessitating ongoing future medical care.
Contact an Experienced Cruise Ship Slip and Fall Lawyer Today if You Were Hurt on a Cruise Vessel
Travelers who suffer injuries because of wet deck surfaces, lack of warning cones, or poor maintenance practices aboard passenger vessels may have substantial legal recourse under federal maritime law. Cruise operators are legally required to exercise reasonable care, perform routine deck sweeps, and safeguard guests against preventable walking hazards. If you or a loved one sustained harm due to negligence on a cruise ship, our maritime personal injury legal team is available to assist you in understanding your statutory rights and pursuing full financial recovery.
Contact us now to consult with an experienced cruise ship slip and fall lawyer regarding your case.
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.
