Maryland Man Sues Royal Caribbean After Tripping Over Lounge Chair on Odyssey of the Seas Lido Deck
Thomas Stein, a resident of Maryland, 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-22107, alleges that Stein suffered severe and permanent bodily injuries after tripping and falling over a misplaced lounge chair while walking on the Lido deck of the Odyssey of the Seas on April 18, 2025.
Cruise Passenger Injured on Odyssey of the Seas Lido Deck Due to Protruding Lounge Chair Leg
According to the complaint, the incident occurred while Stein was a passenger aboard the Odyssey of the Seas during a cruise that began on April 13, 2025. While walking across the vessel’s Lido deck, Stein encountered a lounge chair with a leg protruding directly into the established walking path. The lawsuit claims that as he attempted to traverse the area, he tripped over the hidden obstruction and fell with significant force. Stein asserts that the dangerous condition of the pool deck was not readily apparent or obvious to a reasonable person, creating an unexpected hazard in a high-traffic guest area.
Royal Caribbean Accused of Negligence for Failing to Maintain Safe Walkways on Pool Deck
The legal action alleges that Royal Caribbean breached its duty of care by failing to properly manage and maintain the layout of the lounge chairs on the vessel’s Lido deck. Stein’s legal team argues that the cruise line failed to exercise reasonable care in the placement of deck furniture and neglected to conduct adequate inspections that would have identified the protruding chair leg. The complaint further contends that the cruise line failed to remove obstacles from the passenger walkways and did not implement a schedule to periodically check the Lido deck for tripping hazards. Because the cruise line has exclusive control over the arrangement of deck furniture, the plaintiff alleges they are responsible for the hazardous environment that led to the fall.
Lawsuit Claims Royal Caribbean Had Knowledge of Recurring Tripping Hazards and Failed to Warn Guests
A central component of the lawsuit is the allegation that Royal Caribbean had actual or constructive knowledge of the dangerous condition on the Odyssey of the Seas. The complaint suggests that if the crew did not have direct knowledge of this specific chair, the condition had existed for a sufficient length of time that it should have been discovered through ordinary care. Alternatively, the plaintiff argues that such obstructions occur with such regularity on the pool deck that the risk of a passenger tripping was entirely foreseeable. Despite this, the lawsuit claims the cruise line failed to provide any verbal or written warnings to Stein regarding the obstructed walkway or the risks posed by the specific arrangement of the lounge chairs at that time.
Plaintiff Seeks Damages for Severe Bodily Injury and Loss of Wages Following Cruise Ship Fall
The complaint includes three counts against Royal Caribbean: negligence for failure to maintain, negligent failure to warn, and negligent failure to train. Stein alleges that as a direct result of the cruise line’s reckless or negligent conduct, he suffered permanent bodily injury, physical pain, mental anguish, and a loss of capacity for the enjoyment of life. Additionally, the lawsuit seeks compensation for significant medical expenses, including hospitalization and nursing care, as well as lost wages and impaired future earning capacity. The plaintiff maintains that the cruise line failed to adequately train its staff on safety and maintenance procedures, specifically regarding the proper placement of furniture to ensure guest pathways remain clear of hazards.
Contact a Cruise Ship Trip and Fall Lawyer Today if You Were Injured by Unsafe Deck Conditions
Passengers who suffer injuries due to misplaced furniture, obstructed walkways, or poorly maintained common areas on a cruise ship may be entitled to financial compensation under maritime law. Cruise operators like Royal Caribbean are legally required to maintain their vessels in a reasonably safe condition and to warn passengers of known hazards that are not open and obvious. If you or a loved one experienced a serious injury while on a cruise due to a tripping hazard or deck negligence, it is important to understand your legal rights. Contact our team of experienced maritime attorneys today to discuss your case and explore your options for recovery.
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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.
