Georgia Woman Sues Royal Caribbean After Slip and Fall in Handicap Bathroom Aboard Wonder of the Seas
Carolyn Brown, a resident of Georgia, has filed a maritime personal injury lawsuit against Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. in the Southern District of Florida. The case, filed under Case No. 1:25-cv-25342, stems from a serious slip and fall accident that occurred on November 19, 2024, inside a handicap-accessible stateroom bathroom aboard the Wonder of the Seas.
Plaintiff Claims Chronic Drain Leak in Handicap Stateroom Created Repeated Wet Floor Hazards
According to the complaint, Brown was assigned to Stateroom 14216—specifically designated as a handicap-accessible cabin due to her mobility limitations. The bathroom in this stateroom allegedly contained a floor drain under the sink that was chronically defective, causing recurring leakage and water accumulation on the tile floor.
On the day of the incident, Brown stepped into the bathroom, unaware that water had backed up from the floor drain and pooled near the sink. As she approached the vanity, her foot slipped on the slick surface, causing her to fall violently to the ground. She suffered multiple injuries, including a left foot fracture, ankle trauma, elbow injury involving nerve damage, and aggravation of pre-existing orthopedic conditions.
The complaint includes a post-incident photo of the area, showing heavy rust, staining, and corrosion around the drain—allegedly indicative of a long-term, unaddressed problem.
Lawsuit Alleges Royal Caribbean Knew About Faulty Drain and Failed to Repair or Warn
Brown asserts that the visible corrosion and staining around the drain served as clear evidence that the problem had existed for an extended period. She contends that Royal Caribbean either knew or should have known about the defective drain due to its housekeeping and inspection procedures, which would have placed crew in regular contact with the affected area.
Despite these warning signs, the cruise line allegedly failed to repair the drain, clean up pooled water, or warn passengers about the risk. The lawsuit accuses Royal Caribbean of breaching its duty to provide a safe environment for passengers, particularly those with mobility impairments who require enhanced safety features in their staterooms.
Handicap Emergency Pull Rope Was Allegedly Tied Out of Reach, Leaving Plaintiff Trapped After Fall
In addition to the drain hazard, the complaint raises serious concerns about the emergency pull rope in the accessible bathroom. These ropes are designed to allow fallen or incapacitated passengers to summon help from the floor. However, Brown alleges that the emergency cord had been tied up near ceiling height, rendering it inaccessible after her fall.
As a result, she was unable to call for assistance and was left lying on the bathroom floor for an extended period. The lawsuit claims this delay caused prolonged pain, delayed medical care, and exacerbated emotional trauma, particularly for a passenger with known disabilities.
Royal Caribbean Accused of Negligent Maintenance, Failure to Warn, and Poor Handicap Safety Protocols
Brown brings six counts of negligence against Royal Caribbean, including:
- Negligent maintenance of the bathroom drain
- Failure to warn of the slippery floor hazard
- Vicarious liability for crew negligence in cleaning and inspecting the bathroom
- Vicarious liability for crew negligence related to the emergency pull rope
- Direct corporate negligence for inadequate training regarding emergency safety equipment
- Direct corporate negligence for lack of supervision over crew responsible for accessible room preparation
She seeks damages exceeding $75,000 for ongoing pain, permanent physical injuries, loss of enjoyment of life, emotional suffering, and the cost of medical care.
Injured in a Handicap Accessible Stateroom on a Cruise? Learn About Your Legal Options
Cruise lines have a heightened duty of care toward passengers who require handicap-accessible accommodations. Improper maintenance of stateroom facilities or failure to ensure accessible safety features can lead to devastating consequences for passengers with mobility limitations.
If you or a loved one suffered injuries due to unsafe conditions in a cruise ship’s handicap-accessible cabin, our experienced maritime attorneys are here to help.
Contact us today to discuss your case 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.
