Nevada Woman Sues Royal Caribbean After Slip and Fall on Slippery Stone Floor Aboard Ovation of the Seas
Frema LaFrance, a resident of Nevada, has filed a maritime personal injury lawsuit against Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd. in the Southern District of Florida. The lawsuit, filed under Case No. 1:25-cv-25765-DPG, alleges that LaFrance suffered serious and permanent injuries after slipping and falling on an unreasonably slippery stone or marble floor aboard the Ovation of the Seas on July 22, 2025.
Cruise Passenger Injured After Slip and Fall Near Bar and Theater on Ovation of the Seas
According to the complaint, LaFrance was a fare-paying passenger aboard the Ovation of the Seas when she slipped and fell on a stone, marble, or tile floor located outside a bar and adjacent to a theater. The lawsuit alleges that the flooring surface was dangerously slippery under the circumstances and lacked any non-slip or slip-resistant treatment. The area was reportedly crowded with numerous passengers, and the proximity of the bar to the theater increased the likelihood that liquids had been spilled on the floor and not adequately dried before passengers walked through the area.
Royal Caribbean Accused of Maintaining Unreasonably Slippery Flooring in High-Traffic Passenger Area
The complaint alleges that Royal Caribbean failed to maintain the flooring in a reasonably safe condition, despite the foreseeable risk posed by smooth stone or marble surfaces in high-traffic areas near bars. LaFrance claims that the cruise line knew or should have known that the flooring became dangerously slippery when exposed to moisture and that similar conditions had caused other passengers to slip and fall in the past. The lawsuit asserts that Royal Caribbean had both actual and constructive notice of the hazardous condition based on the nature of the flooring, the length of time the condition existed, and the history of passenger traffic and spills in the area.
Lawsuit Alleges Failure to Apply Non-Slip Treatments on Stone and Marble Deck Surfaces
In addition to alleging negligent maintenance, the lawsuit claims that Royal Caribbean failed to apply appropriate non-slip or slip-resistant treatments to the stone or marble floor where the incident occurred. The complaint argues that the cruise line breached its duty of reasonable care by choosing flooring materials that were unsuitable for the conditions and by failing to take corrective measures to reduce the risk of slips and falls. According to the allegations, these failures directly contributed to LaFrance’s fall and resulting injuries.
Negligent Failure to Warn Claim Alleges No Caution Signs or Passenger Warnings
LaFrance also brings a separate claim for negligent failure to warn, alleging that Royal Caribbean did not provide any warning signs, verbal alerts, or other notice to passengers about the slippery condition of the floor. The complaint states that the hazardous condition was not open or obvious to passengers exercising reasonable care and that LaFrance had no reason to anticipate the danger before stepping onto the floor. The lawsuit alleges that Royal Caribbean knew or should have known of the risk and failed to warn passengers despite having the opportunity to do so.
Plaintiff Seeks Damages for Permanent Injuries and Loss of Cruise Enjoyment
As a result of the fall, LaFrance alleges that she suffered injuries to her body and extremities, along with pain, mental and emotional distress, and anguish. The lawsuit claims she incurred medical expenses, suffered physical limitations, experienced an aggravation of pre-existing conditions, and lost the ability to fully enjoy her cruise vacation. LaFrance also seeks damages for scarring from surgery, past and future lost earnings, diminished earning capacity, and the overall loss of enjoyment and value of the cruise. The complaint alleges that her injuries are permanent or continuing in nature.
Contact a Cruise Ship Slip and Fall Lawyer for Injuries on Slippery Decks and Floors
Slip and fall accidents on cruise ships often occur in areas with smooth stone, marble, or tile flooring, especially near bars, theaters, and other high-traffic locations where spills are common. Cruise lines like Royal Caribbean have a legal duty under maritime law to maintain safe walking surfaces and to warn passengers of known hazards. If you or a loved one were injured in a cruise ship slip and fall accident involving slippery flooring, inadequate maintenance, or lack of warning signs, you may have legal rights worth exploring.
Contact us now to speak with a cruise ship injury lawyer.
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.
