Georgia Resident Sues Carnival Cruise Line After Slipping on Wet Floor in Lido Deck Buffet Aboard Carnival Horizon
Larry Gilbert, a resident of Georgia, has filed a maritime personal injury lawsuit against Carnival Corporation in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida. The lawsuit, filed under Case No. 1:26-cv-22930-BB, alleges that Gilbert suffered serious and permanent injuries after slipping and falling on a wet and slippery floor while sailing as a passenger aboard the Carnival Horizon.
Cruise Passenger Injured on Carnival Horizon Lido Deck Due to Slippery Floor Near Beverage Station
According to the complaint, the incident occurred on or about May 5, 2025, while the vessel was in navigable waters. Gilbert was walking in the buffet area on the lido deck, specifically near a beverage station, when he encountered a floor surface that was wet or covered in a slippery foreign substance. The fall resulted in injuries to his back and ankle. The lawsuit asserts that the hazardous condition was not open or obvious and that Gilbert had no way of knowing the floor was dangerously slick. The complaint highlights that the area near the beverage station is a location where spills and liquid accumulations are highly likely to occur, yet the cruise line allegedly failed to provide adequate safety measures such as anti-slip mats or visible warning signs.
Carnival Accused of Having Constructive Knowledge of Dangerous Buffet Area Conditions Based on Prior Incidents
The lawsuit alleges that Carnival had actual or constructive knowledge of the dangerous conditions that led to the accident. To support this claim, Gilbert’s legal team references several prior slip and fall lawsuits involving similar circumstances on Carnival vessels. The complaint cites specific cases such as Brennen v. Carnival Corporation and Baird v. Carnival Corporation, both of which involved passengers slipping on transitory substances in the buffet area of the Carnival Horizon. Additionally, the complaint mentions Davis v. Carnival Corporation, involving a similar fall in a buffet area aboard the Carnival Vista. These prior cases are presented as evidence that the cruise line was aware of the recurring risks associated with tiled flooring in high-traffic dining areas but failed to take sufficient corrective action to protect passengers across its fleet.
Complaint Alleges Negligent Failure to Maintain Safe Walkways and Inadequate Flooring Material on Carnival Vessel
Beyond the failure to warn, Gilbert alleges that the flooring material used in the buffet area was unreasonably slippery even without the presence of a foreign substance. The legal filing argues that Carnival breached its duty of care by failing to regularly inspect the lido deck to ensure it was safe for anticipated foot traffic. The complaint specifically points to a failure to maintain the surface by affixing anti-slip materials and a failure to select flooring with a high enough coefficient of friction to prevent falls when the area becomes wet. Gilbert contends that the cruise line failed to utilize reasonable mechanisms to avoid slipping hazards despite knowing the purpose of the subject area and the likelihood of liquid being present on the floor.
Plaintiff Seeks Damages for Permanent Back and Ankle Injuries and Loss of Cruise Value Due to Negligence
Gilbert brings three counts of negligence against Carnival: negligent failure to warn, negligent failure to maintain, and general negligence. The lawsuit states that as a direct result of Carnival’s negligence, Gilbert suffered physical pain, mental anguish, disability, and a loss of enjoyment of life. He has incurred medical expenses for the treatment of his injuries and alleges that these impairments are permanent or continuing in nature. In addition to physical damages and lost wages, Gilbert seeks compensation for the lost benefit of his vacation, including the costs of the cruise and transportation, claiming the incident irreparably disrupted his trip.
Contact a Cruise Ship Buffet Slip and Fall Lawyer Today if You Were Injured on a Slippery Floor
Cruise passengers who suffer injuries due to wet floors, improper flooring materials, or a lack of warning signs in dining areas may be eligible for compensation under general maritime law. Cruise operators like Carnival have a responsibility to maintain a safe environment and to warn of hazards that are known or should be known to the staff. If you or a loved one was injured in a slip and fall accident aboard a vessel, contact our team of experienced maritime injury lawyers today to discuss your rights and legal options.
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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.
