Georgia Woman Sues Carnival Cruise Line After Slip and Fall on Wet Lido Deck Near Tides Bar Aboard Carnival Magic
Jenniferlee Crouse, a resident of Georgia, has filed a maritime personal injury lawsuit against Carnival Corporation in the Southern District of Florida. The lawsuit, filed under Case No. 1:26-cv-25345-JEM, alleges that Crouse suffered severe and permanent injuries after slipping on a wet deck surface near a barstool at the Tides Bar on the Carnival Magic on April 12, 2025.
Cruise Passenger Injured Near Tides Bar on Carnival Magic Due to Uncorrected Liquid Accumulation and Lack of Warnings
According to the complaint, the incident occurred on the seventh day of an eight-day cruise departing from Miami. Crouse was seated on a barstool at the outdoor Tides Bar on the aft Lido Deck, a high-traffic area surrounding swimming pools, whirlpools, and dining options. When she stood up from her seat, her foot stepped directly into a pool of water or accumulated liquid in the step-off zone beneath the stool. As her foot slipped on the wet deck, her other foot caught in the circular footrest ring of the barstool, causing a violent twisting fall. The complaint notes that at least two bartenders were actively working and serving passengers in the immediate area. Despite the ongoing presence of crew members and the continuous spill risks associated with nearby pool facilities and beverage service, no staff members inspected, mopped, or dried the wet walking surface, nor did they put up warning signs to alert patrons to the hazard.
Carnival Accused of Failing to Maintain Lido Deck Walkways Despite Notice from Prior Slip and Fall Incidents
The lawsuit asserts that Carnival had actual and constructive knowledge of the dangerous conditions on the Lido Deck. Crouse’s legal team references a long record of prior maritime personal injury cases filed against Carnival in federal court involving similar wet and slippery deck surfaces. The filing cites numerous past lawsuits, including Fawcett v. Carnival Corp., Carter v. Carnival Corp., Rich v. Carnival Corp., and Hesketh v. Carnival Corp., several of which specifically involved slip and fall incidents on the Lido Deck of the Carnival Magic. The lawsuit contends that these recurring cases placed the cruise line on clear notice that outdoor Lido Deck flooring in beverage and pool zones requires vigilant inspection, active liquid mitigation, and clear warnings to prevent passenger injuries. Furthermore, the complaint highlights that onboard surveillance cameras monitored the bar area and that crew members working just feet away failed to enforce Carnival’s own internal safety protocols regarding spill management and deck maintenance.
Complaint Alleges Negligent Failure to Warn, Improper Flooring Maintenance, and Inadequate Deck Monitoring
In addition to failing to warn passengers or place caution signs, the complaint alleges that Carnival failed to properly maintain and manage its Lido Deck passenger spaces. The lawsuit claims that Carnival failed to apply adequate non-skid surfaces or slip-resistant matting around the bar seating areas, where liquid accumulation from pool activity and spilled drinks is highly predictable. Crouse contends that Carnival failed to test the surface friction of the deck flooring, failed to implement enhanced monitoring routines for high-traffic food and beverage areas, and failed to assign sufficient staff to ensure the outdoor walkways remained dry and safe for guest use.
Plaintiff Seeks Damages for Severe Ankle Surgery, Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, and Loss of Cruise Value
Crouse brings three counts of negligence against Carnival: negligent failure to warn, negligent failure to maintain, and general negligence. The filing details that as a direct result of the fall, Crouse suffered a severe displaced trimalleolar fracture of her right ankle with joint dislocation. The injury required open reduction and internal fixation surgery with permanent orthopedic hardware, followed by post-surgical wound complications and threatened tissue necrosis that necessitated sharp debridement and hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Crouse seeks compensation for her permanent physical injuries, medical expenses, physical pain, emotional distress, lost wages, diminished earning capacity, and the lost value of her vacation and travel expenses.
Contact a Cruise Ship Lido Deck Slip and Fall Lawyer Today if You Were Hurt Boarding or Traveling on a Vessel
Cruise passengers injured due to wet walkways, hidden deck hazards, or lack of warning signs on a vessel may be entitled to financial recovery under general maritime law. Cruise operators have a duty to exercise reasonable care to keep passenger areas safe and to remedy or warn against known hazards. If you or a loved one sustained injuries in a cruise ship slip and fall accident, reach out to an experienced team of maritime injury attorneys today to review your claim and discuss your 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.
