New Jersey Woman Sues Royal Caribbean After Slipping on Wet Floor at El Loco Fresh Café Aboard Allure of the Seas
Arlene Robinson Birchett, a New Jersey resident, has filed a maritime personal injury lawsuit against Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. in the Southern District of Florida. The case, Case No. 1:25-cv-25064-DPG, alleges that Birchett sustained a concussion and back injuries after slipping on a dangerously slick surface at the entrance of the El Loco Fresh café on Deck 15 of the Allure of the Seas on November 10, 2024.
Cruise Passenger Suffers Concussion After Slip and Fall on Slippery Café Floor Aboard Allure of the Seas
According to the complaint, Birchett was traveling alone on a four-day Royal Caribbean cruise that departed from Miami. On the afternoon of November 10, 2024, she approached the entrance to El Loco Fresh, a casual dining café located on the sports deck, when she slipped on a wet, oily tile surface and fell backward onto the outer deck. The lawsuit alleges that the floor had become dangerously slick due to a blend of condensation from doors, oil residue from the café, and rainwater tracked in by passengers throughout the day.
Birchett claims there were no visible warning signs, cones, or barriers in place to alert passengers of the hazard. The fall caused her to hit her head and back, resulting in a temporary loss of awareness. Although shipboard medical personnel performed initial evaluations and X-rays, she did not receive further medical care until returning home to New Jersey. Subsequent medical evaluations diagnosed her with a concussion, cognitive symptoms including memory issues, and muscle spasms in her lower back.
Royal Caribbean Accused of Failing to Maintain and Inspect Known Hazardous Conditions in High-Traffic Buffet Area
The lawsuit alleges that Royal Caribbean failed to maintain the café’s entrance in a safe condition despite knowing that high foot traffic, combined with moisture and food service operations, created a predictable risk of slipping. The complaint describes the incident as part of a larger pattern of ongoing, repetitive hazards in buffet and café areas across the cruise line’s fleet. Birchett claims the dangerous condition had existed for an extended period, with oil, water, and condensation accumulating over time without being cleaned, dried, or adequately monitored by crew.
Crew members allegedly took corrective measures only after the incident by placing wet floor signs and closing off the area. These post-incident actions are cited in the complaint as further evidence that Royal Caribbean had actual or constructive notice of the unsafe condition prior to Birchett’s fall.
Complaint Lists Prior Slip and Fall Lawsuits in Windjammer Café and Similar Royal Caribbean Dining Areas
To support her claim that Royal Caribbean knew or should have known about the slipping hazard, Birchett references a series of prior lawsuits involving similar falls in other onboard dining areas. These include:
- Wallace v. Royal Caribbean (Liberty of the Seas)
- Keller v. Royal Caribbean (Mariner of the Seas)
- Burns v. Royal Caribbean (Navigator of the Seas)
- Loder v. Royal Caribbean (Allure of the Seas)
The lawsuit also references internal safety policies, training protocols, and industry standards—including SOLAS regulations and ASTM slip-resistance guidelines—that Royal Caribbean allegedly failed to follow. The plaintiff’s legal team argues that the cruise line’s own procedures mandate the use of wet floor signage and regular inspections of high-traffic food service areas, yet those procedures were not properly implemented or enforced on the day of the incident.
Passenger Seeks Damages for Cognitive Injuries, Ongoing Pain, and Loss of Future Earning Capacity
Birchett is bringing multiple negligence counts against Royal Caribbean, including negligent maintenance, negligent failure to warn, and vicarious liability for crew member negligence. The lawsuit alleges that Royal Caribbean breached its duty of care to maintain safe walkways and failed to warn passengers of hidden dangers, despite knowing from past experience and internal policies that café floors frequently became slippery.
She seeks damages for medical expenses, cognitive and physical impairments, lost income, future earning limitations, and pain and suffering. Her injuries, which include lingering concussion symptoms and chronic back pain, are described as permanent and debilitating.
Injured in a Slip and Fall at a Cruise Ship Buffet or Café? Know Your Legal Rights Under Maritime Law
Passengers injured due to slippery walkways or unmarked hazards aboard cruise ships may have the right to pursue compensation under general maritime law. Cruise lines like Royal Caribbean have a duty to maintain safe public areas and promptly address known hazards, particularly in busy buffet or café zones. If you were hurt in a similar incident involving a wet or oily surface aboard a cruise ship, speak to an experienced cruise ship injury attorney.
Contact us now to learn your legal options and get help with your claim.
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.
