Florida Woman Sues Carnival Cruise Line Over Slip and Fall on Lido Deck of Carnival Vista
Linda Lorello, a Florida resident, has filed a maritime personal injury lawsuit against Carnival Corporation after allegedly slipping on a wet surface aboard the Carnival Vista. The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida on August 29, 2025 (Case No. 1:25-cv-23914-BB), claims Carnival was negligent in maintaining a safe environment on its Lido Deck—a location it internally identifies as an “Area of Most Potential Slip and Falls.”
Lawsuit Alleges Unsafe Conditions and Crew Negligence Led to Serious Injury on Cruise
The incident occurred on August 1, 2024, while Lorello was on an eight-day cruise departing from Tampa. She was exiting the Lido Deck elevator area near Guy’s Burgers when she allegedly slipped on a wet and slippery transitory substance just outside the automated doors leading to the Lido Deck dining area.
According to the complaint, no warning signs were posted, despite Carnival crew members being stationed within 20 feet of the area—including one with a mop near the Tiki Bar. Lorello claims that the condition was not open and obvious, as the liquid blended with the flooring and was not detectable to untrained eyes.
The fall caused Lorello to suffer injuries to her right hand, knee, shoulder, and lower back, which she alleges will require ongoing medical treatment.
Complaint Cites History of Similar Incidents Across Carnival Fleet
The lawsuit meticulously lists over 30 prior slip and fall incidents involving wet or slippery substances on Lido Decks across numerous Carnival ships, including the Vista, Horizon, Panorama, Radiance, Liberty, Sunrise, and others. Many of these incidents occurred in or near food and beverage service areas, reinforcing Lorello’s claim that Carnival knew or should have known about the recurring hazard.
Notable examples cited include:
- Kroll v. Carnival Corp. (Vista, 2019)
- Brennen v. Carnival Corp. (Horizon, 2023)
- Lawing v. Carnival Corp. (Breeze, 2023)
- Braxton v. Carnival Corp. (Freedom, 2024)
The complaint also references internal Carnival documents and policies acknowledging the Lido Deck as a high-risk zone for passenger falls.
Plaintiff Seeks $3 Million in Damages for Injuries and Negligence
Lorello’s suit asserts six separate causes of action, including:
- Negligent Failure to Warn
- Negligent Failure to Maintain
- Vicarious Liability for Crew Negligence (Failure to Warn, Inspect, Maintain)
- Negligent Training of Crewmembers
She is seeking $3,000,000 in compensatory damages, plus prejudgment and post-judgment interest and costs. The complaint alleges that Carnival violated its duty of care under general maritime law by failing to maintain the deck, train its employees, and warn passengers of known dangers.
Cruise Injury Victims May Have Grounds for Legal Action Under Maritime Law
The case highlights the recurring legal risk cruise lines face from wet-deck slip and fall claims, particularly in dining and pool-adjacent areas. Maritime law holds cruise operators to a standard of reasonable care, especially when prior incidents or known hazard zones are involved.
If you’ve been injured aboard a cruise ship due to a slippery surface, defective equipment, or inadequate warnings, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. Contact a qualified cruise ship injury attorney to evaluate your case.
👉 Schedule a free consultation with a maritime law specialist today.
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.
