New Jersey Passenger Sues Royal Caribbean After Slip and Fall in Splashaway Bay on Symphony of the Seas
Edythe Jansen, a resident of New Jersey, has filed a maritime personal injury lawsuit against Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd., doing business as Royal Caribbean Group, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida. The lawsuit alleges that Jansen suffered severe and permanent injuries after slipping on a wet, slippery surface near the kids pool area known as Splashaway Bay aboard the Symphony of the Seas on August 15, 2024.
Cruise Passenger Injured on Wet and Slippery Splash Zone Mat Camouflaged With Pool Deck
According to the complaint, Jansen was in Splashaway Bay with her granddaughter when she slipped on a blue splashdown mat positioned near an exit from the children’s water play area. The mat, designed as a safety landing surface, was allegedly camouflaged with the surrounding blue pool deck, making it difficult for passengers to detect. The lawsuit states that Jansen had no reasonable alternative route and was required to traverse the mat to leave the area. The wet, high-traffic location allegedly created a hidden hazard that was not open and obvious to passengers.
Royal Caribbean Accused of Failing to Warn About Known Slippery Conditions in Splashaway Bay
The lawsuit claims that Royal Caribbean knew or should have known about the dangerous condition due to prior incidents aboard its vessels and other reported slip and falls in similar areas. The plaintiff’s legal team cites prior cases involving passengers injured on wet, slippery flooring in Royal Caribbean’s Splashaway Bay and similar pool deck setups, including Loving v. Royal Caribbean Group, Busek v. Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd., and Kelly Larowe v. Royal Caribbean Group. The complaint alleges the cruise line failed to warn passengers about the risk, despite the presence of general caution signs in the vicinity.
Complaint Alleges Negligent Maintenance and Hazardous Design of Kids Pool Area on Symphony of the Seas
Jansen alleges that Royal Caribbean failed to properly maintain the flooring and mats in Splashaway Bay to ensure they were safe for passenger use. The lawsuit claims the cruise line neglected to inspect and monitor the splashdown mats, allowed them to remain excessively slippery in wet conditions, and failed to close off the area until it was safe. The complaint further accuses Royal Caribbean of negligent design, including selecting slippery materials, failing to provide adequate non-slip surfacing, and placing visually camouflaged mats near a stairway in a high-traffic zone where water frequently spilled from nearby attractions.
Plaintiff Seeks Damages for Severe and Permanent Injuries, Medical Costs, and Loss of Vacation
Jansen brings four counts against Royal Caribbean—negligent failure to warn, negligent failure to maintain, negligent design, and general negligence—seeking compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, mental anguish, disability, and loss of future earning capacity. The lawsuit also seeks damages for the loss of enjoyment of her cruise vacation and related travel costs, stating that her injuries are permanent and continuing in nature.
Contact a Cruise Ship Slip and Fall Attorney if You Were Injured in a Splash Zone or Pool Deck Area
Cruise passengers injured on slippery pool decks, splash zones, or camouflaged mats aboard cruise ships may be entitled to compensation under maritime law. Cruise lines have a duty to design, maintain, and supervise public areas to protect passengers from foreseeable harm. If you or a loved one suffered a similar slip and fall accident on a cruise ship, contact our team of experienced maritime injury lawyers today to learn your legal options.
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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.
