Illinois Passenger Sues Royal Caribbean After Slip and Fall on Grease Spill in Windjammer Cafe Aboard Adventure of the Seas
Michelle Blendermann, a resident of Illinois, has filed a maritime personal injury lawsuit against Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd. in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida. The lawsuit, filed under Case No. 1:26-cv-24906-BB, alleges that Blendermann suffered severe and permanent injuries after slipping on a transparent, greasy substance on the hard-surface walkway of the Windjammer Cafe while on board the M/V Adventure of the Seas on July 20, 2025.
Cruise Passenger Severely Injured in Windjammer Cafe Slip and Fall Accident Due to Unmarked Grease Spill on Hard-Surface Flooring
According to the complaint, the incident occurred at approximately 11:00 a.m. while Blendermann was having breakfast with her family. After gathering food from the buffet and retrieving silverware, she walked along the designated walkway toward the beverage station to get a drink. As she proceeded in a normal manner within two steps of re-entering a carpeted area, her foot suddenly slipped out from under her on a greasy, transparent substance that blended seamlessly with the sheen and texture of the hard-surface flooring. Blendermann fell violently with her full weight landing on her right shin, resulting in an open fracture where the bones broke through her skin.
Royal Caribbean Accused of Failing to Maintain Safe Buffet Walkways and Ignoring Fleetwide Slip Hazards
The lawsuit details that Royal Caribbean knew or should have known about the hazards posed by its hard-surface flooring in buffet venues, which prioritizes appearance and ease of maintenance over adequate slip-resistance when contaminated with grease, oil, or food. Blendermann’s legal team points to numerous prior slip and fall lawsuits filed against Royal Caribbean in the Southern District of Florida involving identical or substantially similar flooring across its fleet. Cases cited in the complaint include Schick v. Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd., Bauer v. Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd., Bickley v. Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., Burns v. Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd., and De Jonge v. Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd., among many others. These prior incidents are presented to establish that the cruise line had extensive constructive notice of ongoing, recurring slip and fall hazards in its buffet areas.
Crewmember Proximity and Misplaced Caution Signage Highlight Cruise Line Negligence During Buffet Breakfast Hours
The complaint further alleges that Royal Caribbean had actual notice of dangerous conditions because a crewmember wearing a white uniform and identifying insignia was standing in the immediate vicinity of the walkway at the moment of the fall. Despite being close enough to observe the hazard, the crewmember failed to inspect the floor, remove the grease, or issue a warning. Although Royal Caribbean had deployed caution signs and a cordon in a nearby, recently mopped area of the Windjammer Cafe, that signage was positioned behind a raised seating platform where it could not warn passengers of the separate walkway hazard where Blendermann fell. No warning cones or signs were placed on or near the pathway where the accident occurred.
Complaint Alleges Negligent Floor Design, Improper Training, and Breach of Maritime Safety Standards
Blendermann brings six counts against Royal Caribbean, including negligent failure to maintain, negligent failure to warn, vicarious liability for crewmember negligence, negligent training and supervision, and negligent design, selection, and installation of flooring. The lawsuit asserts that Royal Caribbean violated industry standards and safety codes, such as ASTM F1637-13 for safe walking surfaces and the ISM Code. The complaint states that the flooring material lacked a sufficient coefficient of friction when exposed to predictable kitchen runoff and dining spills.
Plaintiff Seeks Substantial Damages for Open Leg Fractures, Emergency Evacuation, and Ongoing Physical Impairment
As a direct result of the fall, Blendermann suffered severe injuries including an open, displaced oblique fracture of the right distal tibia with bone protrusion, a nondisplaced oblique fracture of the right tibial metaphysis, and a spiral fracture of the right proximal fibula. She received emergency treatment on the ship, underwent an emergency air ambulance medical evacuation, and was hospitalized at HCA Florida Aventura Hospital where she underwent open reduction and internal fixation surgery with an intramedullary tibial nail. Having incurred medical expenses exceeding $250,000, Blendermann seeks economic and non-economic damages for permanent physical impairment, scarring, pain and suffering, and the lost value of her vacation.
Contact a Cruise Ship Slip and Fall Lawyer Today if You Were Injured on a Slippery Buffet Floor
Cruise passengers hurt in slip and fall accidents caused by slick flooring, unaddressed grease spills, or a lack of warning signs in shipboard dining venues may be entitled to substantial compensation under maritime law. Cruise operators like Royal Caribbean have a non-delegable duty to maintain safe premises and protect guests from foreseeable hazards. If you or a loved one suffered serious injuries aboard a cruise vessel, reach out to experienced maritime legal counsel to discuss your rights and potential claims.
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.
