Michigan Woman Sues Carnival Cruise Line After Slip and Fall on Wet Lido Deck Near Guy’s Burgers on Carnival Vista
Shannon D. Cinelli-Blondia, a resident of Big Rapids, Michigan, has filed a maritime personal injury lawsuit against Carnival Corporation in the Southern District of Florida. The legal action, filed under Case No. 1:25-cv-25993, alleges that Cinelli-Blondia suffered severe and permanent physical injuries after slipping on an unexpectedly slippery floor while walking on the Lido Deck of the Carnival Vista on January 17, 2025.
Cruise Passenger Injured on Carnival Vista Lido Deck Due to Accumulated Water and Greasy Substances
According to the complaint, the incident took place around 9:00am while the vessel was in navigable waters. Cinelli-Blondia was traversing the Lido Deck approximately 30 to 40 feet away from the swimming pool and in close proximity to Guy’s Burgers Joint. The plaintiff alleges that she was watching where she was walking but was unable to perceive a large wet area, measuring approximately 5 feet by 10 feet, which was covered in a greasy wet substance. The lawsuit claims this hazardous condition was caused by a combination of passengers tracking water from the pools and showers and the accumulation of spilled food and drinks from nearby eateries. The plaintiff asserts that the buildup made the floor unreasonably slippery and that the danger was not open or obvious because the water blended into the flooring material.
Carnival Accused of Failing to Inspect Floors and Provide Adequate Warning Signs on Slippery Pool Deck
The lawsuit alleges that Carnival had both actual and constructive notice of the dangerous condition. The complaint points to Carnival’s own internal policies, such as the “own the spill” policy and “two-minute trainers,” as evidence that the cruise line is aware of the frequent risk of slippery floors on the Lido Deck. Furthermore, the plaintiff alleges that the large size of the wet area suggests the hazard had existed for an extended duration, yet no crew members intervened to dry the floor or block off the section. At the time of the fall, there were reportedly no yellow caution signs, cones, or blowers in place to alert passengers to the specific hazard. The complaint notes that only after the incident occurred did crew members arrive to place caution signs and begin cleaning the area with squeegees.
Plaintiff References Numerous Prior Slip and Fall Incidents on Carnival Fleet as Evidence of Notice
To support the claim of notice, the plaintiff’s legal team cited a long history of similar slip and fall incidents involving the same or substantially similar flooring across the Carnival fleet. The complaint references over ten specific prior lawsuits, including Pollard v. Carnival Corporation, which involved a fall on the Carnival Vista Lido Deck in 2019, and several recent cases aboard the Carnival Mardi Gras and Carnival Panorama. These examples are provided to demonstrate that Carnival was aware that its synthetic flooring materials become dangerously slick when wet or greasy but failed to take permanent corrective measures or provide adequate warnings to prevent future injuries to passengers.
Allegations of Negligent Medical Care and Failure to Medically Evacuate After Broken Hip and Nerve Damage
The complaint details a harrowing account of the medical treatment provided onboard the vessel. Following the fall, Cinelli-Blondia was taken by stretcher to the infirmary, where it was determined that her left hip was dislocated and her hip socket was broken. The lawsuit alleges that the ship’s medical staff unsuccessfully attempted to manually manipulate the hip back into place and used bed sheets to immobilize her leg. Despite the plaintiff’s repeated complaints that she could not feel her left leg, the medical team allegedly failed to address the issue and refused her request for a medical evacuation. The plaintiff remained in this immobilized state for two days until the ship returned to Port Canaveral, a delay she alleges resulted in permanent and severe damage to her femoral nerve.
Lawsuit Seeks Damages for Permanent Impairment and Medical Expenses Resulting from Vessel Negligence
Cinelli-Blondia brings ten counts against Carnival, including negligent maintenance, failure to warn, negligent training, and vicarious liability for the actions of both the deck crew and the medical personnel. The plaintiff seeks recovery for economic damages such as past and future medical expenses and lost earning capacity, as well as non-economic damages for physical impairment, disfigurement, and mental anguish. She alleges that Carnival breached its duty to exercise reasonable care and failed to follow international maritime safety standards regarding safe escape routes and walkway maintenance.
Contact a Cruise Ship Lido Deck Injury Lawyer Today if You Were Injured in a Slip and Fall Accident
Cruise passengers who suffer serious injuries due to wet floors, spilled food, or a lack of warning signs on pool decks may be eligible for compensation under general maritime law. Cruise lines like Carnival are responsible for maintaining safe environments and providing prompt, adequate medical care when an accident occurs. If you or a loved one experienced a slip and fall injury or medical negligence while on a cruise, contact our team of experienced maritime injury attorneys to discuss your case and protect your rights.
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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.
