Florida Woman Sues Princess Cruise Lines After Slipping on Sticky Substance While Disembarking Caribbean Princess
Carol Slocum Hulse, a resident of Florida, has filed a maritime personal injury lawsuit against Princess Cruise Lines, Ltd. in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida. The lawsuit, filed under Case No. 1:26-cv-20581-JB, alleges that Hulse suffered severe and permanent orthopedic injuries after slipping on a hazardous substance while disembarking the Caribbean Princess on February 3, 2025.
Cruise Passenger Injured Disembarking Caribbean Princess Due to Sticky Substance and Crowded Walkway
According to the first amended complaint, the incident occurred on Deck 8 of the Caribbean Princess during the final disembarkation process in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Hulse was attempting to leave the vessel following a 14 night Eastern and Western Caribbean cruise when she suddenly slipped and fell backwards. After the fall, she observed that the floor material was substantially slippery and that she had stepped on a foreign orange sticky substance. The lawsuit alleges that the transit area was unreasonably crowded and disorganized at the time of the accident. Hulse asserts that she was exercising due care for her own safety and was unaware of the hazard until after she sustained the injury.
Princess Cruises Accused of Failing to Remove Hazardous Floor Conditions and Ignoring Internal Safety Protocols
The legal filing alleges that Princess Cruise Lines had both actual and constructive notice of the dangerous condition. Hulse claims that the floor surface had been recently inspected by crew members, yet the orange sticky substance was not removed. The complaint argues that the cruise line violated its own internal policies by failing to close off the area to passenger transit once the hazard existed. Furthermore, the plaintiff alleges that Princess failed to monitor the safety conditions of the deck or provide any verbal or visual warnings to passengers regarding the slippery surface. The lawsuit suggests the crew failed to manage the flow of traffic during disembarkation, which contributed to the hazardous environment.
Lawsuit References Prior Slip and Fall Cases on Princess Vessels as Evidence of Notice Regarding Walkway Hazards
To establish that the defendant was aware of the risks associated with its walkways, the plaintiff’s legal team cites several prior lawsuits involving similar slip and fall incidents on Princess ships. The complaint mentions Hawkins v. Princess Cruises Lines involving a trip on the Sapphire Princess, Peters v. Princess Cruises Lines regarding a slip on a wet floor on Deck 16, and Knigge v. Princess Cruises Lines involving a fall on a greasy substance. Hulse contends that these prior mishaps demonstrate that Princess Cruise Lines knew its floor surfaces and inspection routines were inadequate to prevent passenger injuries but failed to implement necessary systemic changes to identify and locate such hazards before the subject incident.
Complaint Alleges Negligent Design and Choice of Flooring Materials on Caribbean Princess Decks
Beyond the failure to clean the specific spill, Hulse alleges that Princess Cruise Lines was negligent in the design and construction of the Caribbean Princess. The complaint states that the cruise line actively participated in the design process and chose the specific flooring materials used on the walkways. The plaintiff argues that the defendant failed to select slip resistant materials or install adequate non skid strips in high traffic areas. According to the lawsuit, the defendant knew or should have known that the chosen flooring posed an unreasonable risk of falls, especially when combined with foreign substances or high volumes of passenger traffic during embarking and disembarking procedures.
Plaintiff Seeks Compensation for Invasive Surgery and Permanent Disability Following Cruise Ship Fall
Hulse brings six counts against Princess Cruise Lines, including negligent failure to warn, negligent failure to inspect, negligent failure to maintain, general negligence, negligent design, and vicarious liability for the acts of its crew members. The lawsuit alleges that as a result of the fall, Hulse sustained severe injuries that required invasive surgery and resulted in physical pain, mental anguish, and a loss of earning capacity. She is seeking damages for medical expenses, the loss of enjoyment of life, and the lost value of her vacation. The complaint maintains that these injuries are permanent and continuing in nature, requiring ongoing care and causing long term disability.
Contact a Cruise Ship Disembarkation Accident Lawyer if You Were Injured in a Slip and Fall on a Vessel
Cruise passengers who suffer injuries due to slippery floors, uncleaned spills, or poorly maintained walkways during disembarkation may be eligible for financial recovery under federal maritime law. Cruise companies like Princess Cruise Lines have a non delegable duty to provide a reasonably safe environment and must warn passengers of known hazards that are not open or obvious. If you or a loved one experienced a similar accident involving a slip and fall on a cruise ship, reaching out to an experienced maritime injury attorney can help you protect your rights. Our team is dedicated to holding cruise lines accountable for negligence and helping victims secure the compensation they deserve.
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.
