New Jersey Woman Sues Royal Caribbean After Slipping on Wet Bathroom Floor Aboard Symphony of the Seas
Christina Spadafora, a resident of New Jersey, has filed a maritime personal injury lawsuit against Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. in the Southern District of Florida. The complaint, filed under Case No. 1:25-cv-24928-JEM, alleges that Spadafora suffered serious injuries after slipping on a wet restroom floor located on the pool deck of the Symphony of the Seas cruise ship.
Passenger Slips on Slippery Pool Deck Restroom Floor with No Warning or Safety Measures in Place
According to the lawsuit, the incident occurred on August 30, 2024, while Spadafora was lawfully aboard the Symphony of the Seas as a fare-paying passenger. While entering the women’s restroom located on the pool deck, she encountered a wet, slippery floor that was allegedly covered in a transitory substance, creating a hidden slipping hazard. The surface was not visibly wet or marked with warning signs, and there were no non-slip mats or protective surfacing in place. Spadafora asserts the hazardous condition was not open or obvious and that a reasonable passenger would not have detected it through ordinary observation.
The fall resulted in significant injuries, including fractured ribs and a shoulder injury that continues to cause her pain, emotional distress, and physical limitations. She has undergone medical treatment and alleges that the injuries have affected her quality of life and may lead to permanent disability.
Royal Caribbean Accused of Ignoring Repeated Wet Floor Risks in Pool Deck Restrooms Across Its Fleet
The complaint asserts that Royal Caribbean had both actual and constructive notice of the dangerous condition due to repeated and similar incidents on Symphony of the Seas and other ships in the fleet. Spadafora’s legal team references several recent lawsuits involving wet restroom floors, including Fein v. Royal Caribbean, Bonilla v. Royal Caribbean, and Burleigh v. Royal Caribbean, which also involved falls in public restrooms across various decks of Royal Caribbean vessels.
In addition, prior pool deck restroom falls were cited in Roman v. Royal Caribbean and Reta v. Royal Caribbean, both of which allegedly involved similar slipping hazards near or inside restrooms adjacent to wet deck areas. The lawsuit argues that Royal Caribbean was aware of this recurring danger and failed to take adequate action to prevent further injuries.
Complaint Alleges Negligent Maintenance and Lack of Adequate Warnings for Known Slipping Hazard
The plaintiff brings two counts of negligence against Royal Caribbean: negligent maintenance and negligent failure to warn. The complaint states that the cruise line failed to inspect, maintain, or dry the pool deck restroom floor and did not apply non-skid surfacing or install mats to reduce risk. Spadafora also claims that no warning signs, caution tape, or verbal advisories were provided to alert passengers of the hazard.
According to the lawsuit, the cruise line’s safety management protocols, internal reporting systems, and daily housekeeping logs should have alerted staff to the risk of wet floors in this area, especially given its proximity to the pool deck. Spadafora argues that Royal Caribbean should have anticipated the hazard and implemented standard preventive measures consistent with maritime safety practices.
Plaintiff Seeks Damages for Medical Expenses, Permanent Injury, and Disruption of Cruise Experience
As a direct result of the fall, Spadafora alleges that she suffered fractured ribs, a shoulder injury, and ongoing pain and emotional suffering. She seeks compensation for medical expenses, physical therapy, pain and suffering, and loss of the enjoyment of her cruise and future activities. The complaint also alleges that her injuries are continuing and potentially permanent, with long-term effects on her mobility and daily life.
Contact a Cruise Ship Slip and Fall Lawyer if You Were Injured Due to Wet Restroom Floors or Pool Deck Hazards
Cruise ship restrooms, especially those near pool decks, are high-risk areas that require vigilant maintenance, frequent inspections, and clear warnings to prevent accidents. When cruise lines fail to take these basic safety measures, passengers may suffer serious injuries. If you were hurt on a cruise ship due to a slippery floor or other dangerous condition, you may be entitled to compensation under maritime law.
Contact us now to speak with a cruise ship slip and fall 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.
