Nevada Resident Files Lawsuit Against MSC Cruises Following Slip and Fall on Leaking Deck Aboard MSC Seashore
Crystal Lee DeGaugh, a resident of Clark County, Nevada, has initiated a federal maritime personal injury lawsuit against MSC Cruises SA in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida. The legal action, filed under Case Number 1:26-cv-26240-DPG, alleges that DeGaugh sustained severe, permanent physical injuries after slipping on an unaddressed indoor puddle created by an exterior structural leak aboard the MSC Seashore on September 19, 2025.
Cruise Passenger Injured on High-Gloss Walkway Near Iris Galerie Due to Undetected Window Leak
According to the complaint, the incident took place on Deck 8, one of the vessel’s primary entertainment and social corridors housing attractions such as the Chef’s Court, MSC Aurea Spa, the glass-floored Infinity Bridge, and the Iris Galerie photography venue. After continuous rainfall for most of the day, water entered the vessel interior through an exterior window located behind a sculpture near the Infinity Bridge, pooling extensively across the high-gloss walkway. The transparent water blended seamlessly into the polished floor surface, creating a concealed hazard that was not open or obvious to passengers traversing the busy thoroughfare. As DeGaugh walked through the Iris Galerie toward an exit door at approximately 5:15 p.m., she slipped on the large puddle, severely twisting her right leg beneath her and falling heavily onto her left wrist.
MSC Cruises Accused of Negligent Failure to Inspect, Maintain, and Warn of Indoor Walking Hazards
The filing asserts that MSC Cruises had actual and constructive knowledge of the dangerous conditions or should have identified them through reasonable diligence. Deck 8 is continuously staffed and monitored by cruise line personnel, including dining attendants, retail staff, housekeeping, and security officers who regularly patrol the corridor. In addition, the cruise line maintained active surveillance cameras directly covering the walkway, with feeds monitored by shipboard staff prior to the incident. Despite sustained rainfall and the obvious accumulation of water in a central corridor, crew members allegedly failed to conduct timely floor inspections, mop up the water, deploy caution markers, or erect physical barriers. It was only after DeGaugh fell and could not bear weight on her leg that staff members placed a wet-floor sign and observed that the standing puddle was so substantial that a single janitor could not remediate it without calling for additional assistance. Responding crew members confirmed the water originated from an active window leak and placed towels along the glass frame, where they remained until passenger disembarkation.
Federal Lawsuit Claims Vicarious Liability, Negligent Supervision, and Defective Walkway Surface Design
The legal complaint sets forth multiple causes of action against MSC Cruises, including negligent failure to maintain, failure to warn, failure to inspect, vicarious liability, negligent design, and negligent training and supervision. The suit emphasizes that MSC is vicariously liable for the direct negligence of its on-duty employees who worked in the immediate vicinity of the leak yet failed to notice or isolate the puddle before someone was hurt. Furthermore, the plaintiff claims MSC breached its maritime legal duties by selecting, approving, and installing high-gloss flooring along areas prone to rain intrusion without adding non-slip coatings or slip-resistant runners, significantly increasing the risk of passenger accidents. The lawsuit also targets MSC for failing to train crew members on standard wet-weather floor safety procedures and rapid response containment when exterior moisture penetrates the vessel.
Plaintiff Seeks Substantial Compensation for Ongoing Medical Treatment and Severe Bodily Harm
Following the accident, DeGaugh was provided a wheelchair by guest services and taken to the shipboard infirmary on Deck 4, where medical personnel treated her for traumatic injuries to her right knee, right hip, and left wrist. The complaint emphasizes that the incident caused severe, continuing injuries requiring extensive post-cruise medical interventions, diagnostic imaging, and long-term physical therapy. Seeking damages exceeding seventy-five thousand dollars, the plaintiff demands compensation for bodily injuries, physical pain, emotional distress, loss of capacity for the enjoyment of life, incurred medical bills, anticipated future healthcare expenses, and lost earning opportunities.
Speak with an Experienced Cruise Ship Slip and Fall Lawyer Regarding Maritime Injury Claims
Cruise passengers who suffer severe harm due to standing water, unresolved leaks, slippery surfaces, or absent warning markers aboard passenger ships may have the legal right to pursue compensation under general maritime law. Commercial cruise operators are legally obligated to maintain passenger thoroughfares in a safe condition and address foreseeable slip hazards promptly. If you or a family member suffered injuries during a cruise vacation due to unsafe walking conditions or crew negligence, reach out to an experienced maritime attorney to review your legal rights and discuss filing a claim.
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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.
