Florida Woman Sues Royal Caribbean After Tripping on High-Chair Leg Aboard Freedom of the Seas
Lynda Rochelle Schriever, a resident of Palm Beach County, Florida, has filed a maritime personal injury lawsuit against Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida. The complaint, filed under Case No. 1:25-cv-26131-JB, alleges that Schriever sustained severe and permanent injuries after tripping over a child’s high-chair leg while walking through the Lido Deck buffet area of the Freedom of the Seas on December 29, 2024.
Cruise Passenger Injured on Freedom of the Seas Lido Deck Due to Protruding High-Chair Hazard
According to the legal filing, Schriever was a fare-paying passenger walking in a normal manner through the breakfast buffet area when she was caught by the wide, splayed base of a maritime-style high chair. The lawsuit asserts that the leg of the chair was protruding into a designated and accessible walkway where passengers were expected to move freely. Schriever alleges that while the chair itself was visible, the specific design of the legs created a hidden tripping hazard that was not open or obvious. These chairs are described as structurally different from standard restaurant furniture found on land, featuring aggressively curved legs designed for shipboard stability that extend 20 to 30 percent beyond the seat area.
Royal Caribbean Accused of Negligence for Failing to Warn Passengers of Maritime High-Chair Design Risks
The complaint argues that Royal Caribbean had constructive notice of the dangerous condition because the high chair remained in the same hazardous position for at least twenty minutes prior to the accident. Schriever states that during her time in the buffet area, she did not see any crew members or passengers move or adjust the chair. The plaintiff’s legal team highlights that the Eleventh Circuit has previously determined that periods as short as ten to eighteen minutes can be sufficient to establish constructive notice. Furthermore, the lawsuit claims that multiple crew members, including servers and cleaners, were in the immediate vicinity and had a clear view of the floor but failed to remedy the obstruction or place warning signs to alert passengers to the protruding legs.
Lawsuit Claims Cruise Line Violated Industry Safety Standards and Internal Training Protocols
Schriever alleges that Royal Caribbean failed to comply with international vessel safety regulations and industry customs, including the Safety of Life at Sea treaty and International Maritime Organization standards, which require escape routes and walkways to be maintained clear of obstacles. The lawsuit further contends that Royal Caribbean’s own internal policies require crew members to constantly monitor passenger walkways for tripping hazards and to deploy caution signs or block off areas containing impediments. By failing to follow these established safety procedures, the cruise line allegedly breached its non-delegable duty to exercise reasonable care for the safety of its passengers.
Plaintiff Seeks Damages for Elbow Surgery and Permanent Injuries Caused by Buffet Area Fall
The lawsuit brings counts of negligence, negligent failure to warn, and vicarious liability against Royal Caribbean. Schriever claims that the fall caused her to suffer significant bodily harm, including an injury that required open reduction and internal fixation surgery of her elbow. She seeks compensation for economic damages such as past and future medical expenses and household costs, as well as non-economic damages for pain, suffering, disability, physical impairment, and loss of capacity for the enjoyment of life. The complaint maintains that these losses are permanent or continuing in nature and were the direct result of the cruise line’s failure to maintain a safe environment for its guests.
Contact a Cruise Ship Trip and Fall Lawyer Today if You Were Injured by Unsafe Furniture or Obstacles
Cruise passengers who suffer injuries due to poorly placed furniture, hidden tripping hazards, or lack of proper warning signs on a vessel may be entitled to recover damages under maritime law. Cruise operators are responsible for ensuring that common areas and walkways are free from dangerous obstructions that could cause foreseeable harm. If you or a loved one experienced a similar accident while on a cruise, reaching out to an experienced maritime attorney can help you understand the complexities of filing a claim in federal court.
Contact us now to speak with a cruise ship injury 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.
