New Jersey Woman Sues Royal Caribbean After Slip and Fall on Wet Pool Deck While Sailing on Icon of the Seas
Carol Ciociola, a resident of New Jersey, has filed a maritime personal injury lawsuit against Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. in the Southern District of Florida. The lawsuit, filed under Case No. 26-cv-20688-XX, alleges that Ciociola suffered serious and permanent injuries after slipping on a dangerously wet and slippery floor near an outdoor jacuzzi while traveling as a passenger aboard the Icon of the Seas on February 3, 2025.
Cruise Passenger Injured on Icon of the Seas Pool Deck Due to Standing Water Near Hot Tub Area
According to the complaint, the incident occurred while Ciociola was walking in an outdoor deck area near a jacuzzi, a location the plaintiff refers to as the subject area. While traversing this space, she encountered a floor surface that was allegedly covered in standing water originating from the nearby hot tub. The lawsuit claims the floor was unreasonably dangerous and lacked any anti-slip mats or visible warnings to alert passengers of the hazard. Ciociola asserts that the wetness was particularly difficult to discern due to the specific coloration of the flooring material. As a result of the fall, the plaintiff allegedly suffered substantial ligament damage to her right elbow, an injury that has required ongoing medical attention and physical therapy since the date of the accident.
Royal Caribbean Accused of Failing to Warn Passengers of Slippery Flooring and Negligent Maintenance
The lawsuit alleges that Royal Caribbean had both actual and constructive knowledge of the hazardous conditions on the deck. The plaintiff’s legal team notes that crew members were working in the immediate vicinity of the wet floor prior to the incident but failed to follow safety policies for remedying or warning of slip and fall hazards. To support the claim of knowledge, the complaint points out that an unmanned squeegee was standing by in the area, suggesting the cruise line was aware that water needed to be removed. Furthermore, the plaintiff argues the water appeared dirty, indicating it had been on the floor for an extended period. The complaint also references a prior similar incident, Taylor v. Royal Caribbean, to demonstrate that the cruise line was aware of the risks associated with passengers slipping near shipboard jacuzzis.
Complaint Alleges Dangerous Floor Design and Inadequate Drainage Systems on Icon of the Seas
In addition to maintenance failures, Ciociola alleges that the flooring material selected for the outdoor deck was improperly designed and selected. The complaint argues that the surface becomes unreasonably slippery when wet and that Royal Caribbean failed to ensure the material met appropriate slip-resistance standards for high-traffic areas exposed to water and condensation. The lawsuit further contends that the existing drainage system in the jacuzzi area was insufficient to prevent water from accumulating on the walking surface. By failing to modify the hazardous surface or implement better drainage, the cruise line allegedly created a foreseeable risk of harm for passengers invited to use the ship’s amenities.
Plaintiff Claims Delayed Medical Treatment and Seeks Damages for Permanent Injuries and Emotional Anguish
The lawsuit brings five counts against Royal Caribbean: negligent failure to warn, negligent failure to maintain, negligent design and selection of flooring material, general negligence, and failure to timely treat. Beyond the initial fall, Ciociola alleges that the ship’s medical staff failed to provide prompt care. After seeking help for her severe pain, she and her husband were reportedly told to wait for hours because a doctor was unavailable. The complaint states that the medical staff eventually provided only a cursory examination and told her to see her own doctors after the cruise. Ciociola, who has sailed on six previous Royal Caribbean voyages, claims this delay caused additional mental anguish and impacted her outlook for the remainder of the trip. She seeks compensation for permanent injuries, medical expenses, pain and suffering, and the lost enjoyment of her vacation.
Contact a Cruise Ship Pool Deck Injury Lawyer Today if You Were Hurt in a Slip and Fall Accident
Cruise passengers who suffer injuries due to wet floors, improper drainage, or lack of warning signs in pool and jacuzzi areas may be entitled to recover damages under maritime law. Cruise lines like Royal Caribbean are required to maintain their vessels in a reasonably safe condition and must warn passengers of known hazards that are not open and obvious. If you or a loved one experienced a similar slip and fall accident while on a cruise, contact our team of experienced maritime injury attorneys to discuss your case and learn more about your legal rights.
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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.
