Florida Widow Sues MSC Cruises After Husband’s Fatal Fall on Wet Spiral Staircase Aboard MSC Seashore
Susan Gertz, a Florida resident, has filed a maritime wrongful death lawsuit in the Southern District of Florida against MSC Cruises, S.A., alleging negligence that led to the death of her husband, Edward Gertz. The lawsuit, filed under Case No. 0:25-cv-61503-AHS, claims Edward suffered serious and permanent injuries after slipping on a wet and slippery spiral staircase aboard the MSC Seashore on July 28, 2024. The fall ultimately resulted in his death on May 27, 2025.
MSC Seashore Passenger Allegedly Slipped on Wet Spiral Staircase with No Slip-Resistant Material or Warnings
According to the complaint, Edward Gertz was a paying passenger aboard the MSC Seashore for an eight-day cruise departing Cape Canaveral, Florida, with scheduled stops in the Bahamas and Mexico. While descending a spiral staircase from Deck 19 to Deck 18, Edward allegedly encountered an unreasonably slippery surface caused by a wet transitory substance. The complaint asserts that the staircase lacked adequate slip-resistant material and that the depth of the stair treads made the steps more hazardous when wet.
The lawsuit further claims that the hazardous condition was not addressed despite MSC having sufficient time to discover and correct it. No visible warning signs or crew instructions were allegedly provided to alert passengers to the danger. The plaintiff contends that the unsafe staircase design, combined with the wet surface, made a fall foreseeable and preventable.
MSC Cruises Accused of Failing to Maintain, Inspect, and Restrict Access to Unsafe Staircase
The wrongful death complaint alleges that MSC breached its duty to maintain the MSC Seashore in a reasonably safe condition. It claims the cruise line failed to properly inspect the spiral staircase, neglected to promptly dry or clean the wet surface, and did not barricade or restrict passenger access until the hazard was resolved. The plaintiff’s attorneys argue that MSC had either actual or constructive notice of the dangerous condition due to the nature of the area, the ship’s high passenger volume, and the likelihood of spills or tracked-in moisture on staircases.
The case further alleges that MSC failed to provide adequate crew training or supervision to ensure dangerous wet areas were promptly addressed. The absence of dedicated personnel to monitor and safeguard high-risk walkways, the lawsuit claims, is a violation of industry standards and MSC’s own internal safety procedures.
Dangerous Staircase Design and Lack of Slip Resistance Cited as Contributing Factors
In addition to failing to warn or clean the hazard, the plaintiff argues that the MSC Seashore’s spiral staircase design itself contributed to the fatal incident. The complaint claims that the stairs were constructed without sufficient slip-resistant surfacing and did not meet safe slope and depth guidelines for passenger use in wet or variable weather conditions. The spiral design allegedly increased the likelihood of missteps, and the combination of slick steps and inadequate grip underfoot made the fall inevitable once the hazard was encountered.
This is not the first lawsuit involving a passenger slipping on cruise ship stairs. Similar complaints have been filed in recent years against other major cruise lines, many citing a lack of slip-resistant surfacing, inadequate lighting, or failure to provide handrails suited for wet conditions. In wrongful death and catastrophic injury cases, plaintiffs often argue that cruise lines fail to balance aesthetic design with functional passenger safety.
Plaintiff Seeks Damages for Pain, Suffering, Lost Earnings, and Loss of Enjoyment of Life
Susan Gertz, as personal representative of her husband’s estate, seeks damages for the physical and emotional suffering Edward endured between the date of his fall and his death ten months later. She is also seeking recovery for disability, impairment, disfigurement, mental anguish, inconvenience, medical expenses, lost wages, and the loss of enjoyment of life caused by the accident.
The complaint emphasizes that these losses were directly caused by MSC’s negligence and that the cruise line had ample opportunity to prevent the hazardous condition. Under maritime law, cruise lines owe passengers a duty of reasonable care under the circumstances, and a failure to maintain safe conditions can result in liability for injuries or deaths.
Cruise Ship Slip and Fall Wrongful Death Cases Raise Broader Safety Concerns at Sea
Wrongful death claims like Gertz v. MSC Cruises highlight a recurring safety concern aboard cruise ships: slip and fall hazards in public passenger areas. Staircases, pool decks, buffet entrances, and gangways are frequent sites of such incidents. The cruise industry has long been criticized for focusing on aesthetics and guest experience while underestimating the need for aggressive hazard prevention measures.
Passengers are often unaware that maritime law governs cruise ship injury claims, meaning legal timelines and procedural rules differ from those in traditional land-based personal injury cases. Many cruise lines, including MSC, include forum selection clauses in their passenger ticket contracts, requiring lawsuits to be filed in specific federal court jurisdictions — in this case, the Southern District of Florida.
Contact a Cruise Ship Wrongful Death and Slip and Fall Attorney if a Loved One Was Hurt or Killed Aboard a Vessel
Families who have lost a loved one due to unsafe conditions aboard a cruise ship may be entitled to compensation under maritime law. Cruise lines have a legal obligation to design, maintain, and supervise their vessels to ensure passengers are not exposed to foreseeable hazards. If you or someone you love has suffered a slip and fall accident on a cruise ship resulting in injury or death, contact our experienced maritime wrongful death attorneys today to discuss your legal rights and explore your options.
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