Illinois Woman Sues Royal Caribbean After Tripping Over Camouflaged Obstacle on Deck 5 of Utopia of the Seas
Lucy Horton, an Illinois resident, has filed a federal maritime injury lawsuit against Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. in the Southern District of Florida. The lawsuit, filed under Case No. 1:25-cv-23786-DSL, alleges that Horton suffered severe injuries after tripping over a concealed floor obstruction on the walking track of the Utopia of the Seas.
Cruise Passenger Allegedly Tripped Over a Protruding Obstacle Painted to Blend Into the Wall
According to the complaint, the incident occurred on November 6, 2024, as Horton was walking along the Deck 5 track of the Utopia of the Seas. Horton alleges she tripped over a solid obstruction rising approximately three inches from the deck surface, positioned between the track and a nearby recreational play area. The obstruction was allegedly painted white to match the surrounding wall, making it nearly invisible to passengers.
Photographs embedded in the complaint show the trip hazard protruding from the base of a white wall, lacking any contrasting warning color or signage:
Note: These photos were taken directly from the federal court filing.
Complaint Alleges Dangerous Walking Track Design and Lack of Visual Cues for Passengers
Horton claims the design and placement of the obstacle were especially dangerous because it was in a high-traffic area where passengers were encouraged to walk and explore. The lawsuit asserts that the white paint created a camouflage effect, making the obstruction indistinguishable from the wall behind it. Despite knowledge of the hazard, Royal Caribbean allegedly failed to:
- Install proper signage or warnings
- Use contrasting colors to highlight the step
- Remove or reconfigure the obstacle to prevent falls
According to the complaint, the obstruction directly caused Horton to fall, resulting in a clavicle fracture, right shoulder rotator cuff tear, right knee injury, and significant bruising. She was treated both onboard and ashore and continues to experience pain and limited mobility.
Royal Caribbean Knew of Prior Trip-and-Fall Incidents on Similar Walking Track Designs
The complaint alleges that the cruise line had both actual and constructive knowledge of the danger posed by the Deck 5 configuration. Horton’s legal team references two prior federal cases involving similar accidents aboard the Harmony of the Seas, a sister ship in Royal Caribbean’s fleet:
- Moore v. Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., 21-cv-20212 (S.D. Fla. 2021)
- Crick v. Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., 18-cv-21214 (S.D. Fla. 2016)
Both incidents involved raised obstacles on walking tracks that were difficult for passengers to detect. The lawsuit argues that Royal Caribbean ignored warnings and industry standards, including IMO SOLAS Regulation 13, which mandates escape routes and walkways be free of tripping hazards.
Additionally, the complaint points to Royal Caribbean’s own decision to paint nearby floor sections yellow and blue in contrast—evidence, the plaintiff argues, that the cruise line was aware of the tripping risk but took only partial measures to mitigate it.
Horton Seeks Damages for Medical Expenses, Loss of Cruise Value, and Permanent Injuries
Horton brings three counts of negligence against Royal Caribbean:
- General Negligence for failing to remove or modify the trip hazard
- Negligent Failure to Warn for not alerting passengers to the danger
- Negligent Maintenance for allowing the hazard to exist despite prior incidents
She seeks compensation for permanent injuries, past and future medical care, lost wages, loss of enjoyment of life, and the lost value of her cruise vacation.
Contact a Cruise Ship Trip and Fall Attorney If You Were Hurt Due to Unsafe Walkways
Trip and fall accidents aboard cruise ships often stem from poor design choices, unmarked obstacles, and failure to follow industry safety protocols. Passengers who suffer injuries due to hidden or unsafe hazards—especially in walkways or recreational areas—may be entitled to recover compensation under maritime law.
If you or a loved one suffered a cruise ship injury due to an unmarked trip hazard, camouflaged obstacle, or unsafe deck design, our experienced maritime attorneys can help.
Contact us now to speak with a cruise ship fall lawyer and understand your rights.
Meta Description:
Illinois woman sues Royal Caribbean after tripping over a camouflaged deck obstacle aboard Utopia of the Seas. Photos from lawsuit show trip hazard near walking track.
Focus Keywords:
Royal Caribbean trip and fall lawsuit, Utopia of the Seas deck hazard, cruise ship walkway injury, hidden obstacle cruise injury, maritime fall lawsuit Royal Caribbean, Deck 5 tripping hazard cruise, cruise ship design safety lawsuit, camouflaged step cruise injury
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.
