New York Woman Sues Royal Caribbean After Slip and Fall in Dimly Lit Dance Club Aboard Icon of the Seas
Angelica Espinal, a resident of New York, 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-23092-RAR, stems from a July 22, 2024 incident aboard the Icon of the Seas, in which Espinal allegedly slipped and fell in a dimly lit dance venue known as Club Zero, sustaining a broken ankle and other serious injuries.
Cruise Passenger Alleges Club Zero Dance Hall Had Slippery Floor and Inadequate Lighting on Icon of the Seas
According to the complaint, Espinal was lawfully aboard the Icon of the Seas as a fare-paying passenger when she entered Club Zero, a dance club located on the ship. While walking in the venue, she slipped on a slick floor surface, which she alleges was unreasonably slippery when wet and lacked anti-slip flooring or matting. The lawsuit contends the club was poorly lit, further obscuring the presence of the hazardous condition.
Espinal asserts that no warning signs were present to indicate the floor was wet or slippery, and that she had no opportunity to anticipate the risk. The complaint also alleges that Royal Caribbean failed to regularly inspect or clean the area, despite it being known that dance venues on their ships often accumulate moisture from passenger traffic and drink spills.
Royal Caribbean Accused of Negligence for Failing to Maintain Safe Dance Floor and Ignoring Prior Incidents
The lawsuit brings three counts against Royal Caribbean: negligent failure to warn, negligent maintenance, and general negligence. Espinal alleges that the cruise line had both actual and constructive knowledge of the hazard based on a pattern of similar slip-and-fall incidents in dance halls aboard its fleet. The complaint references at least five prior lawsuits involving similar accidents aboard Royal Caribbean vessels, including:
- Solomon v. Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd. (2024)
- Zieman v. Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd. (2024)
- Velez v. Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd. (2023)
- Carruthers v. Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd. (2023)
- Anderson v. Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd. (2013)
These earlier cases, also involving passengers who slipped on wet dance floors, are cited to demonstrate the cruise line’s awareness of recurring floor hazards in nightclub areas.
Complaint Cites Failure to Use Non-Skid Surfaces and Follow Inspection Policies for Passenger Safety
Espinal contends that Royal Caribbean failed to install non-skid flooring in Club Zero and failed to adequately monitor or clean the area in accordance with the company’s own safety policies. The lawsuit further alleges that Royal Caribbean neglected to test the coefficient of friction of the flooring to ensure compliance with industry standards and failed to take corrective action following repeated passenger injuries in similar settings.
The plaintiff also claims the hazardous condition was not open or obvious and that no warnings were given about the floor’s slippery nature, especially in low lighting.
Plaintiff Seeks Damages for Broken Ankle, Emotional Distress, Lost Wages, and Disruption of Cruise
As a result of the fall, Espinal allegedly suffered a broken ankle and additional injuries that required medical treatment. She claims damages for physical pain, mental anguish, disability, disfigurement, and lost wages. Her injuries are described as permanent or continuing, and she seeks compensation for both medical expenses and the loss of enjoyment of her vacation. The lawsuit requests a jury trial and seeks damages exceeding $75,000.
Maritime Law Protects Passengers Injured by Unsafe Conditions in Cruise Ship Entertainment Venues
Dance clubs and entertainment venues aboard cruise ships must be designed and maintained with passenger safety in mind. Under general maritime law, cruise lines are obligated to warn of hidden hazards and to keep public areas free from unreasonable risks, including slippery floors and inadequate lighting. When they fail to do so, passengers may be entitled to pursue compensation for their injuries.
If you or someone you care about has been injured in a fall aboard a cruise ship due to unsafe flooring or poor lighting, you may have grounds for a maritime injury lawsuit.
Contact us now to speak with a cruise ship slip and fall attorney.
