Florida Woman Sues Virgin Voyages After Slipping on Wet Pool Deck During Scarlet Night Dance Party on Valiant Lady
Ashley Mouriz, a Florida resident, has filed a maritime personal injury lawsuit against Virgin Cruises Intermediate Limited Inc., doing business as Virgin Voyages, in the Southern District of Florida. The lawsuit arises from a slip and fall accident that occurred during a late-night deck party aboard the Valiant Lady cruise ship on January 31, 2024. The case is pending under Case No. 1:25-cv-24927-PCH.
Cruise Passenger Suffers Trimalleolar Fracture After Slipping on Slippery Pool Deck at Virgin Voyages’ Signature Scarlet Night Event
According to the complaint, Mouriz was attending “Scarlet Night,” a weekly high-energy poolside dance party promoted by Virgin Voyages as part of its onboard entertainment lineup. The late-night event took place on the pool deck of the Valiant Lady and involved music, dancing, alcohol consumption, and guests jumping into the ship’s main swimming pool. Mouriz alleges that while dancing near the pool, she slipped on a wet portion of the deck that lacked slip-resistant matting or surfacing, resulting in a trimalleolar ankle fracture that later required surgery and internal fixation.
The lawsuit states that the pool deck had become dangerously wet from passengers exiting the pool, and the cruise line failed to implement measures to keep the area dry or warn passengers of the risk. Mouriz asserts that Virgin Voyages was aware of the pool deck’s slippery nature when wet and had previously installed warning signs and mats during daytime hours, but failed to do so during the nighttime dance event when the risk of slipping was equally foreseeable.
Lawsuit Accuses Virgin Voyages of Hosting Unsafe Dance Party Without Adequate Slip-Resistant Surfacing or Crew Supervision
The complaint outlines a pattern of negligence, alleging that Virgin Voyages created a hazardous condition by encouraging passengers to swim and dance simultaneously on a surface known to become slippery when wet. Mouriz contends that there were no designated dry areas for dancing and no visible warning signs during the party, despite the cruise line’s knowledge of past incidents involving slip and fall injuries on pool decks aboard the Valiant Lady and sister ships like the Scarlet Lady.
Virgin is further accused of failing to provide adequate staffing to supervise the event and dry the deck area during the party. According to the lawsuit, the crew actively encouraged passenger participation, including dancing and jumping into the pool, which exacerbated the risk of creating wet, hazardous walking conditions.
Plaintiff Claims Virgin Knew Deck Was Unsafe and Failed to Warn Passengers of Slip Risks During Wet Nighttime Events
The complaint brings multiple counts of negligence, including general negligence, negligent failure to warn, negligent deck design and approval, and vicarious liability for the actions of Virgin’s crew members. Mouriz claims Virgin Voyages failed to provide warnings about the slippery condition of the pool deck during the nighttime event and failed to block off unsafe areas or require dry conditions for dancing.
The lawsuit alleges that Virgin placed slip-resistant mats in the area during daytime swimming hours but removed or failed to extend them for the Scarlet Night party, despite knowing the deck would become wet due to guests entering and exiting the pool. The plaintiff argues that Virgin’s failure to adapt its safety protocols for nighttime events constituted a breach of its duty to exercise reasonable care for passengers.
Virgin Voyages Accused of Negligent Deck Design and Selection of Unsafe Flooring Material for Pool Area
In addition to the operational failures during the event, Mouriz alleges that Virgin was negligent in the selection and approval of the pool deck’s surface material. The lawsuit claims the deck lacked sufficient slip resistance in wet conditions and that Virgin failed to meet accepted maritime safety standards for passenger walkways in high-traffic, water-prone areas. Mouriz asserts that Virgin should have anticipated the risks given the high volume of passengers on board, the frequency of similar nighttime events, and the prevalence of slip and fall injuries on cruise ships.
Plaintiff Seeks Damages for Surgery, Permanent Injury, and Loss of Enjoyment of Cruise Due to Dangerous Conditions on Valiant Lady
As a result of the fall, Mouriz alleges she suffered significant physical injury, including a dislocated and fractured ankle requiring major orthopedic surgery, insertion of surgical hardware, and a prolonged recovery period. She is seeking damages for past and future medical expenses, lost wages, diminished earning capacity, pain and suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life. The lawsuit also requests compensation for the lost value of her cruise and travel-related expenses, asserting that her vacation was effectively ruined by Virgin’s negligence.
Injured at a Cruise Ship Party? Speak to a Florida Maritime Injury Lawyer About Your Legal Rights
Cruise lines have a duty to ensure passenger safety, especially during organized onboard events that increase the likelihood of accidents. When ships host crowded, high-energy gatherings involving water, dancing, and alcohol, they must implement strict safeguards and provide adequate warnings. If you or someone you know suffered a slip and fall injury on a cruise ship pool deck or during a ship-sponsored event, contact an experienced maritime injury attorney to explore your legal rights.
Contact us now to speak with a cruise ship slip and fall lawyer.
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.
