Florida Woman Sues Norwegian Cruise Line After Slipping on Wet Shower Floor Aboard Norwegian Aqua
Adriana Ruckle, a resident of Broward County, Florida, has filed a maritime personal injury lawsuit against NCL (Bahamas) Ltd., doing business as Norwegian Cruise Line, in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida. The lawsuit, filed under Case No. 1:25-cv-26097-RAR, alleges that Ruckle sustained severe and permanent injuries after slipping and falling in the shower of her cabin while traveling as a passenger aboard the Norwegian Aqua on July 28, 2025.
Cruise Passenger Injured on Norwegian Aqua Due to Hazardous Water Accumulation in Cabin Shower Area
According to the complaint, the incident occurred while the Norwegian Aqua was navigating in international waters. Ruckle alleges that she encountered a dangerous condition consisting of water, soap, and other slippery substances that had accumulated on the floor of her stateroom shower. The lawsuit claims that the shower area lacked adequate drainage and non-slip surfaces, creating a foreseeable slipping hazard for passengers. Following the fall, Ruckle sought treatment at the ship’s medical center, where the medical staff diagnosed her with injuries to her right wrist, lower back, and right lower leg. The plaintiff asserts that Norwegian Cruise Line owed her a duty of reasonable care, which included maintaining the vessel in a safe condition and providing warnings about hazards that might not be apparent to a reasonable traveler.
Norwegian Cruise Line Accused of Failing to Address Known Slippery Hazards in Passenger Bathrooms
The lawsuit alleges that Norwegian Cruise Line had both actual and constructive knowledge of the dangerous conditions. Ruckle’s legal team argues that the cruise line was aware of the risks associated with water accumulation in bathrooms based on numerous prior incidents across its fleet. The complaint cites several specific past cases as evidence of this notice, including Searles v. NCL Bahamas Ltd., Simon v. NCL Bahamas Ltd., Stern v. NCL Bahamas Ltd., Hsing-O v. NCL (Bahamas) Ltd., and Prather v. NCL Bah. Ltd. These previous lawsuits, which date back several years, involve passengers who suffered injuries after slipping in bathrooms or common areas of Norwegian ships. The plaintiff contends that these prior occurrences should have prompted the cruise line to implement better safety protocols, yet the company allegedly failed to ensure that the shower on the Norwegian Aqua was properly inspected or maintained to prevent such accidents.
Complaint Alleges Vicarious Liability for Negligent Maintenance and Cleaning by Norwegian Aqua Crew
In addition to direct negligence claims, the lawsuit includes a count for vicarious liability and respondeat superior. Ruckle alleges that the cruise line is responsible for the negligent acts or omissions of its employees, including the cleaning and maintenance staff who were acting within the scope of their employment. The complaint suggests that the crew failed to properly rinse and dry the bathroom surfaces or identify the hazardous accumulation of water and cleaning products before the passenger entered the shower. Furthermore, the plaintiff alleges that the cruise line failed to follow its own internal safety regulations and industry standards regarding the prompt remediation of wet surfaces in passenger-accessible areas. The lawsuit argues that the combination of the slippery floor and the natural movement of the ship while underway created an unreasonable risk of harm that the crew failed to mitigate.
Plaintiff Seeks Damages for Permanent Physical Impairment and Loss of Vacation Value Following Shipboard Fall
Ruckle brings counts of negligence and vicarious liability against Norwegian Cruise Line, seeking damages in excess of $75,000. She claims that as a direct result of the cruise line’s failure to provide a safe environment, she suffered severe bodily injury, mental anguish, and a loss of the capacity for the enjoyment of life. The lawsuit details that her injuries are permanent or continuing in nature, leading to ongoing medical expenses, physical handicap, and a loss of wage-earning capacity. Beyond the physical and financial toll, Ruckle seeks compensation for the lost value of her vacation and cruise costs, asserting that the incident irreparably disrupted her travels. She demands a judgment that covers all past and future medical care, nursing treatment, and court costs associated with the litigation.
Contact a Cruise Ship Cabin Injury Lawyer Today if You Were Hurt in a Bathroom Slip and Fall
Cruise passengers who sustain injuries due to poorly maintained cabin facilities, such as slippery shower floors or inadequate drainage, may be entitled to seek compensation under maritime law. Cruise operators have a legal responsibility to maintain staterooms in a reasonably safe condition and to address known hazards that could lead to passenger falls. If you or a loved one suffered an injury while at sea due to a cruise line’s failure to maintain safe flooring or provide adequate warnings, contact our team of experienced maritime injury attorneys today. We can help you navigate the complexities of filing a claim against a major cruise line and ensure your rights are protected throughout the legal process.
Contact us now to speak with a cruise ship slip and fall attorney.
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.
