New York Woman Sues Royal Caribbean After Severe Slip and Fall on Wet Floor Near Windjammer Buffet on Vision of The Seas
Kimberly Houston (a/k/a Kimberly Sidoti), a citizen and resident of Lewiston, New York, has filed a maritime personal injury complaint against Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida. The lawsuit, designated under Case No. 1:25-cv-25739, seeks damages in excess of $\$75,000$. Houston alleges she sustained a severe and permanent fractured patella after slipping on a wet and slippery floor near the entrance to the Windjammer Buffet on the cruise ship RCCL Vision of The Seas.
Passenger Suffers Fractured Patella Due to Negligent Maintenance of Wet Floor at Windjammer Buffet Entrance
The incident occurred on January 12, 2025, around 3:20 PM, on Deck 9 of the RCCL Vision of The Seas. According to the complaint, Houston slipped on a wet and slippery substance on the tile floor in the area between the glass sliding doors and the entrance of the Windjammer Buffet. The Plaintiff asserts that Royal Caribbean’s crewmembers allowed a slippery substance to accumulate or alternatively mopped the area but failed to dry the floor, leaving a wet area of approximately 10 feet by 10 feet for an extended period of time. The Plaintiff claims the dangerous condition was not readily apparent to her, and the wet, unexpectedly slippery flooring was not an open and obvious hazard for passengers.
Royal Caribbean Accused of Negligent Failure to Inspect, Clean, Dry, and Warn of Slippery Conditions
Houston alleges that Royal Caribbean breached its duty of reasonable care by failing to properly maintain the area and failing to warn passengers of the known hazardous condition. The floor in this area is subject to frequent spills of food and drinks from passengers and crewmembers leaving the buffet, which can cause the floor to become unreasonably slippery. The complaint asserts that Royal Caribbean failed to post adequate warnings such as caution signs, cones, or barriers, and crewmembers failed to provide verbal warnings or cordon off the area. The Plaintiff’s fiancé observed a yellow caution sign and fans drying the floor in the same area the day after the incident, suggesting post-incident corrective action and further evidence of notice. Houston also alleges that Royal Caribbean failed to properly train its crew on how to inspect, clean, dry, and warn passengers about slippery floors in compliance with the cruise line’s own internal procedures and industry standards.
Prior Similar Slip and Fall Lawsuits Offered as Evidence of Notice to Cruise Line
The complaint heavily relies on an extensive list of prior similar incidents throughout the Royal Caribbean fleet as evidence that the cruise line had notice of the dangerous condition. Multiple prior lawsuits are cited involving passengers who slipped and fell in the Windjammer Café, including on the same ship, RCCL Vision of The Seas. Other cited cases occurred in the Windjammer Café on various Royal Caribbean vessels, including the Navigator of The Seas, Liberty of the Seas, Oasis of the Seas, Mariner of the Seas, Allure of the Seas, Adventure of the Seas, and Brilliance of the Seas. These prior incidents are presented as proof of an “on-going, repetitive problem” with slippery conditions in and around the buffet areas across Royal Caribbean’s ships.
Allegations of Negligent Design and Selection of Unsafe Flooring Materials
In addition to maintenance and warning failures, Houston brings a claim for negligent design, construction, and selection of materials. The Plaintiff contends that Royal Caribbean custom-makes its ships and participated in and/or approved the design and selection of the tile flooring used in the subject area. Houston asserts that the flooring material approved for use in the Buffet area was unreasonably dangerous and slippery when wet and that Royal Caribbean failed to select different, safer flooring material that would have complied with industry standards. The complaint argues that had Royal Caribbean properly designed and selected safer flooring, the injury would not have occurred.
Plaintiff Seeks Compensation for Permanent Injuries and Long-Term Damages
The complaint sets forth six counts of negligence: Negligent Maintenance, Vicarious Liability for Crewmembers’ Negligent Maintenance, Negligent Failure to Warn, Vicarious Liability for Crewmembers’ Negligent Failure to Warn, Negligent Training Personnel, and Negligent Design, Construction and Selection of Materials. As a direct result of the fall, Houston suffered severe and permanent injuries, including a fractured right patella, resulting in severe disability and permanent impairment. The Plaintiff seeks damages for past and future economic losses, including medical and related expenses, lost income, and income earning capacity, as well as non-economic damages for pain, suffering, disability, mental anguish, and loss of capacity for the enjoyment of life.
Cruise passengers who suffer serious injuries from cruise ship slip and fall accidents on wet and slippery floors, particularly those near common areas like the Windjammer Buffet, may be entitled to compensation under maritime law. Cruise lines have a duty to maintain safe conditions, warn of hazards, and use appropriate, non-slip flooring materials in high-spill areas. If you or a loved one has been injured due to a cruise line’s negligence in a dangerous floor accident, contact a specialized Florida cruise ship injury attorney today to discuss your rights and 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.
