Florida Woman Sues Margaritaville Cruise Line After Slipping on Wet Deck While Watching Ship Dock in Cancun
Stacy Wipper, a resident of St. Augustine, Florida, has filed a maritime personal injury lawsuit against Classica Cruise Operator Ltd., Inc., doing business as Margaritaville Cruise Line. The complaint, filed under Case No. 1:25-cv-22662-RAR in the Southern District of Florida, alleges that Wipper suffered serious knee injuries after slipping on a freshly washed and still-wet deck aboard the cruise ship while it was arriving in Cancun, Mexico, on December 6, 2024.
Cruise Passenger Slips on Wet Lido Deck While Observing Ship Arrival in Port Without Warning of Slippery Conditions
According to the lawsuit, Wipper went to Deck 10 to watch the vessel dock in Cancun. As she approached the railing, she saw a crew member finishing up hosing off the deck and waited for the worker to clear a hose before proceeding. Just a few steps onto the walkway, she slipped and fell on what she alleges was a wet, slick surface, landing forcefully on her left knee. The incident occurred in an area where the defendant had recently cleaned, possibly using substances other than water, leaving the surface dangerously slick without proper drying time or any visible caution signs.
Margaritaville Cruise Line Accused of Negligence in Failing to Maintain Safe Conditions on Ship Deck
Wipper claims Margaritaville Cruise Line failed in its duty to maintain safe walking surfaces for passengers. The complaint outlines several alleged failures, including not inspecting the Lido Deck for slippery conditions, allowing water to accumulate and create hazards, reopening the area to passengers before it had dried, and failing to post warning signs. The deck, she argues, was inherently slippery when wet, and the cruise operator had actual or constructive knowledge of similar past incidents occurring in the same area of the ship. Despite this, no preventive safety measures were taken to restrict access or alert guests to the risk.
Plaintiff Suffered Torn ACL and Meniscus Requiring Surgery Due to Allegedly Unsafe Deck Conditions
Wipper asserts that as a direct result of the fall, she sustained a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and a torn meniscus, both of which required surgical repair. She continues to experience ongoing pain and limitations due to the injury. The complaint seeks damages for medical expenses, permanent bodily injury, pain and suffering, mental anguish, and loss of enjoyment of both life and the cruise experience. Additionally, the lawsuit contends that the incident exacerbated a preexisting medical condition, further compounding the harm she suffered.
Failure to Warn of Wet Deck Hazards Forms Second Count of Cruise Passenger’s Complaint Against Margaritaville
In a separate count, Wipper alleges that the cruise line failed to adequately warn her and other passengers of the dangerous wet condition of the deck. The lawsuit claims that despite knowledge of the hazard, the cruise operator did not place caution signs or otherwise restrict access to the area. Wipper contends that had she been warned, she would have taken appropriate precautions or avoided the area altogether. The failure to warn, according to the complaint, constituted a breach of the cruise line’s legal duty to inform passengers of known dangers, thereby directly causing her injuries.
Injured Cruise Guests Have Legal Options After Wet Deck Slip and Fall Accidents on Margaritaville Ships
Cruise ship passengers injured due to unsafe deck conditions, such as wet or slippery surfaces that lack proper warning signs or are reopened prematurely, may be entitled to compensation under maritime law. Cruise lines, including Margaritaville, have a legal obligation to ensure passenger areas are safe and free of foreseeable hazards. If you or a loved one suffered injuries under similar circumstances aboard a cruise vessel, our experienced maritime injury attorneys can help you pursue a claim.
Contact us now to speak with a cruise ship injury attorney.
