Florida Woman Sues Carnival Cruise Line After Slipping on Wet Stairs Aboard Carnival Horizon
Krisel Flatts, a legally blind Florida resident, has filed a maritime personal injury lawsuit against Carnival Corporation in the Southern District of Florida. The complaint, filed under Case No. 1:25-cv-22956-JEM, stems from a slip and fall incident aboard the Carnival Horizon on July 1, 2024, which allegedly caused Flatts serious and permanent injuries.
Blind Passenger Falls on Wet Stairway on Carnival Horizon Without Warning or Safety Precautions
According to the complaint, Flatts was a fare-paying passenger aboard the Carnival Horizon and was descending a stairway on Deck 12 when she slipped on a wet and slippery step. Despite her legal blindness, Flatts took precautions by holding onto the railing. The lawsuit claims that the stairwell was unreasonably dangerous due to wet conditions and lacked any caution signs, warning cones, or verbal alerts from the crew. Carnival is accused of failing to maintain the stairway in a safe condition or to inspect and remedy the hazard, leaving Flatts exposed to an invisible and serious risk of injury.
Carnival Accused of Failing to Maintain Stairways and Warn Visually Impaired Passengers of Slippery Conditions
The complaint alleges Carnival failed to inspect the stairwell area, failed to maintain dry and safe surfaces, and failed to provide necessary warnings despite knowing the risks. It asserts that Carnival was aware or should have been aware of the hazardous wet condition through routine inspections, prior similar incidents, or industry best practices. Flatts’ legal team emphasizes that these omissions were especially egregious given her visual impairment, which prevented her from perceiving the danger without assistance. Despite this, Carnival allegedly failed to provide verbal guidance, caution signage, or restrict access to the area.
Lawsuit Claims Cruise Line Ignored Safety Protocols for Stair Maintenance and Passenger Safety on Carnival Horizon
Flatts brings two counts of negligence against Carnival: failure to maintain a safe premises and failure to warn. The complaint states that Carnival breached its non-delegable duty to provide reasonably safe conditions and adequate warnings aboard its vessel. Flatts asserts that Carnival failed to inspect for wet floors, dry the area, or warn passengers—especially those with visual disabilities—of hazards on stairways regularly accessed by guests. She also contends that Carnival failed to close off access to the dangerous area or to implement safety protocols to mitigate foreseeable risks from wet flooring aboard the vessel.
Plaintiff Seeks Compensation for Injuries, Loss of Mobility, and Disruption to Vacation Caused by Carnival’s Negligence
As a result of the fall, Flatts allegedly suffered a torn ligament in her right wrist, degenerative damage to her right knee, and loss of mobility and independence. She now requires assistance with daily activities and has suffered emotional distress, pain, and a loss of enjoyment of life. Her injuries are claimed to be permanent and ongoing. In addition to medical costs and lost income, Flatts seeks damages for the lost value of her cruise, asserting that Carnival’s negligence ruined her vacation.
If You Were Injured on a Cruise Due to Unsafe Stairs or Lack of Warnings, a Maritime Injury Lawyer Can Help
Passengers who suffer falls on cruise ships due to slippery stairways, poor maintenance, or the absence of safety warnings may be entitled to compensation under maritime law. Cruise lines like Carnival are legally required to ensure safe walkways and staircases aboard their vessels and must take particular care when serving passengers with disabilities. If you or someone you love has been injured under similar circumstances on a cruise, contact our team of experienced maritime personal injury lawyers today.
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