Mississippi Minor’s Family Sues Carnival Cruise Line After Child Breaks Leg Slipping on Unsafe Waterslide Steps Aboard Carnival Valor
Tacarra Hayes, on behalf of her minor daughter, Aubrey Hayes, has filed a maritime negligence lawsuit against Carnival Corporation in the Southern District of Florida. The lawsuit, filed under Case No. 1:25-cv-22702, alleges that ten-year-old Aubrey suffered a severe leg fracture after slipping and falling on unsafe steps while exiting a waterslide aboard the Carnival Valor.
Child Passenger Slips and Breaks Leg on Wet, Handrail-Free Steps at Carnival Valor Waterslide
According to the complaint, the incident occurred on June 6, 2022, while Aubrey Hayes was using the onboard waterslide as a paying passenger. After riding down the slide, the child was required to exit the attraction by descending a set of blue tile or plastic steps that lacked handrails and featured slippery surfaces leading directly to the pool deck. The lawsuit alleges that the flooring material became dangerously slick when wet, and the absence of handrails or assistance created an unreasonably hazardous condition for young passengers.
The lawsuit contends that the hazardous condition was neither open nor obvious to a child, and Carnival failed to provide warnings or safe exit alternatives. As a result, Aubrey lost her footing, fell on the hard steps, and suffered a broken leg that required extensive medical treatment.
Complaint Alleges Carnival Knew of Unsafe Waterslide Exit But Failed to Correct It
The family’s complaint asserts that Carnival had actual and constructive knowledge of the hazardous exit design, citing multiple prior passenger injuries in similar circumstances across the fleet. Despite this notice, the complaint alleges that Carnival failed to update the slide exit design, install non-slip materials, add proper handrails, supervise or assist passengers, or adopt water park safety standards well-known in the industry. The suit also argues that Carnival custom-designed and approved the materials, stairs, and flooring used in the exit area, maintaining control over their selection and installation.
Four Counts of Negligence Asserted for Unsafe Waterslide Steps and Failure to Warn
The lawsuit brings four counts against Carnival: general negligence, negligent failure to warn, negligent failure to maintain, and negligent design, construction, and selection of materials. The complaint claims that the cruise line breached its duty to provide a safe exit for the waterslide, failed to warn passengers of the slippery steps, did not maintain the area in a safe condition, and designed the waterslide exit with inherent flaws unsafe for children.
Aubrey Hayes’s injuries are alleged to be permanent or continuing in nature, causing significant physical pain, mental anguish, disability, medical expenses, and loss of enjoyment of her vacation.
Injured on a Cruise Ship Waterslide or Unsafe Pool Steps? Learn Your Rights
Cruise lines are legally obligated under maritime law to provide safe attractions and walkways, especially for child passengers. If you or your child were hurt due to unsafe waterslides, pools, or unmaintained ship areas, you may be entitled to compensation for medical costs, pain and suffering, and lost vacation benefits.
Contact our cruise ship injury lawyers today for a free consultation about your rights and potential claims.
