New Jersey Woman Sues Carnival Cruise Line After Slipping on Wet Outdoor Stairs Aboard Carnival Venezia
Lucia Rodriguez, a 69-year-old woman from New Jersey, has filed a maritime personal injury lawsuit against Carnival Corporation in the Southern District of Florida. Filed under Case No. 1:25-cv-23714-RKA, the lawsuit alleges that Rodriguez was seriously injured after slipping on a wet and hazardous set of open-air exterior stairs while descending from Deck 11 to Deck 10 aboard the Carnival Venezia on August 23, 2024.
Carnival Venezia Passenger Injured Descending Wet Exterior Stairs Near Lido Deck
According to the complaint, Rodriguez was descending an outdoor staircase leading to the Lido Deck when she unexpectedly slipped and fell due to an unreasonably slippery and wet stair surface. The stairs were allegedly wet from recent rain, and Carnival had failed to place adequate warning signs or close off the area. The lawsuit claims that the surface of the stairs lacked sufficient anti-slip materials, and the non-skid friction strips that had been applied were worn smooth and ineffective.
Rodriguez asserts she had no reason to expect the danger and that the hazardous condition was not open or obvious. The accident caused her to sustain severe physical injuries, including long-term pain and impairment.
Carnival Allegedly Knew Outdoor Staircases Were Dangerously Slippery When Wet
The complaint alleges that Carnival had both actual and constructive notice of the hazardous conditions of the open-air staircases on the Carnival Venezia and other vessels in its fleet. As part of the vessel’s rebranding and refurbishment from March to May 2023, Carnival applied non-slip materials to the steps—an acknowledgment, Rodriguez argues, of the known dangers of those staircases becoming slippery when wet.
However, the lawsuit claims the strips applied were insufficient in size and worn down over time, making them ineffective at preventing slips. Carnival is further accused of failing to maintain or replace the worn materials or take adequate steps to prevent accidents during wet weather.
Prior Cruise Ship Fall Cases Cited to Demonstrate Carnival’s Knowledge of Slip Hazards
Rodriguez’s legal team supports the negligence claim by referencing multiple prior slip-and-fall lawsuits involving Carnival passengers injured on similar outdoor staircases in wet conditions. These include:
- Spells v. Carnival Corp., involving a fall on the Carnival Conquest on June 5, 2024.
- Britt v. Carnival Corp., related to a wet staircase fall aboard the Carnival Glory on July 22, 2019.
- Calixterio v. Carnival Corp., stemming from a 2014 incident on the Carnival Glory.
- Gharaptyan v. Carnival Corp., a 2023 case involving a wet stairway fall aboard the Carnival Radiance.
These cases are used to establish Carnival’s ongoing knowledge of the dangerous conditions and its failure to implement effective fleet-wide safety measures to mitigate the risks.
Complaint Alleges Failure to Maintain, Warn, and Enforce Safety Policies on Carnival Venezia
Rodriguez brings three negligence-based claims against Carnival: general negligence, negligent failure to warn, and negligent failure to maintain. The complaint alleges that Carnival failed to:
- Properly inspect and dry the stair surfaces
- Install and maintain sufficient anti-slip materials
- Post warning signs or block access to wet stairs
- Enforce policies and procedures designed to protect passengers in inclement weather
The complaint further accuses Carnival of failing to learn from prior incidents and ignoring the foreseeable risk of falls on outdoor staircases exposed to the elements.
Rodriguez Seeks Damages for Physical Injuries, Emotional Distress, and Lost Cruise Value
As a result of the fall, Rodriguez claims she suffered permanent injuries to her body and extremities, physical pain, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. She also alleges lost wages, impaired earning capacity, and significant medical expenses. The complaint seeks compensation for these damages, as well as for the loss of the cruise experience and related travel costs.
Hurt on Wet Exterior Stairs Aboard a Cruise Ship? Contact a Maritime Injury Attorney
Slip and fall incidents on wet outdoor staircases are among the most common causes of cruise ship injuries, particularly in areas exposed to rain and lacking warning signs or proper anti-slip materials. Cruise lines like Carnival have a legal obligation to provide reasonably safe passage for their passengers, including proper maintenance of high-traffic staircases and enforcement of safety policies.
If you or a loved one suffered an injury aboard a cruise ship under similar circumstances, our experienced maritime attorneys can help you determine your rights and seek compensation.
Contact us now to speak with a cruise ship slip-and-fall lawyer in Florida.
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.
