Michigan Woman Sues Carnival Cruise Line After Multiple Slips and Falls on Wet Lido Deck Aboard Carnival Celebration
Monika Phelps, a resident of Michigan, has filed a maritime personal injury lawsuit against Carnival Corporation in the Southern District of Florida. The complaint, filed under Case No. 1:26-cv-20484-RS, alleges that Phelps sustained a dislocated knee and other permanent injuries following two successive falls on a slippery pool deck surface aboard the Carnival Celebration on January 29, 2025.
Cruise Passenger Injured on Carnival Celebration Lido Deck Due to Slippery Pool Deck Surface
The lawsuit details a sequence of events occurring on the ship’s Lido Deck, specifically Deck 16. Phelps had exited her stateroom to make a phone call in the exterior pool area when she was approached by Carnival crew members. These employees instructed her to move to the opposite side of the deck, toward the RedFrog Rum Bar, because they were beginning to clean the area where she was standing. As she followed their directions, Phelps slipped and fell on a wet and slippery transitory substance. Although she managed to stand back up, she was in immediate pain and found it difficult to walk. The complaint asserts that the floor surface lacked adequate slip resistance and that the hazard was not open or obvious to a reasonable passenger.
Carnival Accused of Negligence After Crew Members Assisted Injured Passenger Through Hazardous Area
A significant portion of the legal claim focuses on the actions of the cruise line staff following the initial accident. After her first fall, Phelps requested help from two nearby crew members to return to her cabin. The lawsuit alleges that these employees undertook the duty of escorting her but chose a path that led her directly back across the same hazardous, wet flooring where she had just fallen. While under their active supervision and physical assistance, Phelps slipped and fell a second time. This subsequent fall is believed to be the primary cause of her dislocated left knee. The plaintiff argues that the crew members were negligent by failing to summon medical transport, failing to use a wheelchair, and failing to remove her from the dangerous area before attempting to move her.
Lawsuit Cites Fleetwide Notice of Slip and Fall Hazards Near RedFrog Bar Locations
Phelps alleges that Carnival had both actual and constructive notice that the Lido Deck and areas adjacent to the RedFrog Bar are high-risk zones for passenger injuries. To support this claim of notice, the legal filing lists several prior incidents involving similar conditions on the Carnival Celebration and its sister-class vessels. The complaint references cases such as Sheppard v. Carnival Corporation, Sharpe v. Carnival Corporation, and Guyton v. Carnival Corporation, all of which involved passengers slipping on wet Lido Deck surfaces near bar areas or pool stations. The plaintiff argues that these recurring incidents across the fleet should have prompted the cruise line to implement better maintenance protocols, such as more effective drying techniques or cordoning off wet areas, which were allegedly not utilized in this instance.
Plaintiff Seeks Damages for Permanent Knee Injury and Medical Expenses Following Carnival Negligence
The complaint brings five counts against the cruise line: negligent maintenance, negligent failure to warn, and three counts of vicarious liability for the negligence of the crew members. Phelps claims that Carnival breached its duty of reasonable care by failing to properly inspect the deck, failing to maintain the floor’s slip-resistant coatings, and failing to provide effective warnings. While generic warning signs were reportedly present on the deck, the lawsuit argues they were ineffective because they were displayed constantly regardless of the actual floor condition, failing to alert passengers to specific, active hazards. As a result of the falls, Phelps claims she has suffered physical impairment, mental anguish, lost wages, and the loss of capacity to enjoy life. She is seeking compensatory damages for past and future medical treatment for her permanent injuries.
Contact a Cruise Ship Lido Deck Injury Lawyer Today if You Were Hurt in a Pool Area Slip and Fall
Cruise ship passengers who suffer injuries due to wet flooring, improper maintenance, or inadequate assistance from crew members may be eligible for compensation under maritime law. Cruise operators are required to maintain public areas like the Lido Deck in a reasonably safe condition and must provide proper aid to passengers who have been injured on board. If you or a loved one experienced a slip and fall accident while on a cruise, it is important to understand your legal rights regarding negligence and maritime safety standards. 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.
