Missouri Woman Sues Carnival Cruise Line After Slip and Fall on Wet Lido Deck Near Buffet Aboard Carnival Sunrise
Dawn Prater, a resident of Missouri, has filed a maritime personal injury lawsuit against Carnival Corporation in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida. The lawsuit, filed under Case No. 1:26-cv-20740-CMA, alleges that Prater suffered serious and permanent physical injuries after slipping on an outdoor deck that had become dangerously slick due to rain while she was a passenger aboard the Carnival Sunrise.
Cruise Passenger Injured on Carnival Sunrise Lido Deck Due to Slippery Surface Near Buffet Area
The incident occurred on February 23, 2025, while the Carnival Sunrise was in navigation. According to the complaint, Prater was walking on Deck 9, commonly known as the Lido Deck, in the immediate vicinity of the buffet. The area had become wet and unreasonably slippery due to a light drizzle of rain occurring at the time. Prater asserts that the Lido Deck is a high-traffic area where passengers frequently track water from swimming pools and hot tubs while searching for food. Despite the known risk of moisture in this specific location, the plaintiff alleges the flooring was not maintained in a safe condition for walking. The lawsuit claims that the transition to a wet surface created a hazard that was not open or obvious to Prater before her fall.
Carnival Accused of Failing to Maintain Dry Floors and Provide Adequate Warning Signs During Rain
The legal filing contends that Carnival Corporation breached its duty of reasonable care by failing to keep the Lido Deck buffet area clean and dry. Prater alleges that although several crew members equipped with squeegee mops and buckets were standing in the immediate vicinity where the fall occurred, they made no effort to dry the floor or intervene before she encountered the hazard. The complaint suggests that Carnival provides an insufficient number of cleaners to patrol the deck given the regular and foreseeable presence of liquids from rain, pools, and guest activity. Furthermore, the plaintiff argues that the cruise line failed to place non-slip mats or cautionary signage in areas known to become dangerously slick when exposed to moisture.
Lawsuit References Prior Slip and Fall Incidents Across Carnival Fleet as Evidence of Notice
To establish that the cruise line had notice of the dangerous condition, the complaint points to a history of similar accidents. The plaintiff’s legal team alleges that there have been at least two dozen lawsuits filed involving slip and fall incidents on the Lido Decks of various ships across the Carnival fleet. The lawsuit suggests that Carnival’s own guest services records likely contain many more reports of similar falls that did not result in formal litigation. This history is cited to argue that Carnival had actual or constructive knowledge that the flooring material used on Deck 9 becomes unreasonably slippery when wet, yet the company failed to implement permanent safety modifications or better maintenance protocols to protect its passengers.
Plaintiff Undergoes Total Knee Replacement Following Permanent Injuries Sustained on Carnival Sunrise
As a direct result of the fall, Prater claims to have suffered severe injuries to her body and extremities. The complaint specifically notes that the plaintiff required surgery for a total knee replacement, which has resulted in permanent scarring. Beyond the physical trauma, the lawsuit seeks damages for mental and emotional distress, medical expenses, physical handicap, and the loss of the ability to enjoy life. Prater also alleges a loss of earnings and a diminished future earning capacity. Because the injuries occurred during her vacation, she is also seeking compensation for the lost value of the cruise and the associated travel expenses, stating that the incident caused a permanent impairment to her quality of life.
Contact a Cruise Ship Lido Deck Injury Lawyer Today if You Were Hurt in a Slip and Fall Accident
Cruise passengers who suffer injuries due to wet floors, improper maintenance, or a lack of warning signs on a vessel may be eligible for financial compensation under maritime law. Cruise operators like Carnival are required to maintain their decks in a reasonably safe condition, especially in high-traffic areas like buffets and pool decks where moisture is common. If you or a loved one experienced a slip and fall accident while on a cruise, contacting an experienced maritime injury lawyer can help you protect your rights. Our legal team is dedicated to holding cruise lines accountable for negligence and helping victims recover the settlement they deserve.
Contact us now to speak with a cruise ship and maritime injury attorney.
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.
