Illinois Man Sues Norwegian Cruise Line After Slipping on Wet Jogging Track Aboard Norwegian Encore
Dr. Victor Plotkin, a resident of Illinois, has filed a maritime personal injury lawsuit against NCL Corporation Ltd., doing business as Norwegian Cruise Line, in the Southern District of Florida. The lawsuit, filed under Case No. 1:26-cv-20069-RKA, alleges that Plotkin suffered severe and permanent injuries after slipping on an unreasonably slippery substance while walking on the jogging track of the Norwegian Encore on January 6, 2025.
Cruise Passenger Injured on Norwegian Encore Sun Deck Due to Slippery Puddles and Lack of Warning Signs
According to the complaint, the incident occurred while Dr. Plotkin was walking in a normal manner on the ship’s jogging track located on Deck 17, also known as the Sun Deck. The lawsuit alleges that the jogging track surface was covered in an unreasonably slippery substance consisting of water and oils tracked onto the deck from a nearby jacuzzi. Plotkin claims that a large puddle had formed at the bottom of steps leading from the jacuzzi and extended onto the jogging track. This dangerous condition was allegedly obscured by an abrupt change in the direction of the track and the specific texture and color of the flooring material, which disguised the presence of standing water. Despite the cruise line’s knowledge that these synthetic deck materials become dangerously slick when wet, there were no portable watch your step cones or warning signs deployed in the area at the time of the fall.
Norwegian Cruise Line Accused of Having Constructive Notice of Dangerous Condition on Jogging Track
The legal filing asserts that Norwegian Cruise Line had both actual and constructive knowledge of the hazard. Dr. Plotkin’s legal team notes that the plaintiff had been in the area for approximately twenty minutes prior to his fall and observed an NCL cleaner in a uniform tidying the area, arranging lounge chairs, and collecting towels during that entire period. The complaint argues that because the puddle was present for at least twenty minutes and multiple crew members, including servers and cleaners, were in the immediate vicinity with an uninterrupted view of the floor, the cruise line should have discovered and remedied the hazard. The plaintiff also points to NCL’s internal policies and training procedures, which specifically require crew members to monitor walkways for slipping hazards and place caution signs, as evidence that the company was aware of the recurring risk of slippery decks across its fleet.
Complaint Alleges Failure to Follow Industry Safety Standards and Internal Maintenance Protocols
In addition to the specific circumstances of the fall, the lawsuit alleges that Norwegian Cruise Line failed to comply with mandatory international vessel safety regulations and industry standards. The complaint cites violations of the International Safety Management Code and the Safety of Life at Sea treaty, which require ship operators to maintain safe escape routes and walkways clear of obstacles. Dr. Plotkin alleges that the cruise line’s failure to keep the jogging track dry and clear of slippery substances constituted a breach of its non-delegable duty to exercise reasonable care for passenger safety. Furthermore, the suit claims that the dangerous nature of the decking material used throughout the NCL fleet is an ongoing problem that the defendant failed to adequately investigate or mitigate despite prior similar incidents on the Norwegian Encore and other vessels.
Plaintiff Seeks Damages for Hip Replacement and Permanent Injuries Resulting from Shipboard Negligence
Dr. Plotkin brings four counts against Norwegian Cruise Line: negligence, negligent failure to warn, vicarious liability for negligent failure to maintain, and vicarious liability for negligent failure to warn. He claims that as a direct result of the fall, he suffered significant physical trauma, including a head injury and a hip injury that necessitated a total hip replacement. The lawsuit seeks compensation for economic damages such as past and future medical expenses and household help, as well as non-economic damages for pain and suffering, physical impairment, mental anguish, and loss of capacity for the enjoyment of life. Additionally, the plaintiff is seeking the lost value of his vacation and cruise transportation costs, asserting that his injuries are permanent and will continue to affect his quality of life indefinitely.
Contact a Cruise Ship Jogging Track Injury Lawyer Today if You Were Hurt in a Slip and Fall Accident
Cruise passengers who suffer injuries due to poorly maintained decks, slippery substances near pools or jacuzzis, or a lack of proper safety signage may be entitled to recover damages under general maritime law. Cruise companies like Norwegian Cruise Line are required to maintain their vessels in a reasonably safe condition and must provide adequate warnings for hazards that are not open and obvious to passengers. If you or a loved one experienced a serious injury while on a cruise vacation due to shipboard negligence, it is important to consult with an experienced maritime attorney to protect your legal rights and pursue the compensation you deserve.
Contact us now to speak 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.
