New York Woman Sues Royal Caribbean After Suffering Severe Foot Injury on Pressure Drop Waterslide Aboard Icon of the Seas
Jennifer Baron, a resident of New York, has filed a maritime personal injury lawsuit against Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd. in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida. The lawsuit, filed under Case No. 1:26-cv-20544-KMM, alleges that Baron sustained permanent and severe injuries while using the Pressure Drop waterslide aboard the Icon of the Seas on March 5, 2025. Baron asserts that her left foot became caught or experienced significant friction with the slide surface near the landing area, leading to a traumatic injury.
Cruise Passenger Injured on Icon of the Seas Waterslide Due to Hazardous Design and Over Pressurized Water Flow
The complaint details a harrowing incident where the plaintiff was descending the high speed Pressure Drop attraction when her foot suddenly made contact with the slide in a manner that caused severe bodily harm. Baron alleges the area was in a hazardous condition characterized by a lack of proper supervision, insufficient safety warnings, and an over pressurized water flow that contributed to the accident. According to the filing, the improper design of the waterslide and the selection of materials with inappropriate coefficients of friction created a danger that was not open or obvious to passengers. Baron maintains that she had no way of knowing the slide was unsafe and could have done nothing to prevent the incident under the circumstances provided by the cruise line.
Royal Caribbean Accused of Ignoring Prior Waterslide Injuries and Failing to Follow Maritime Safety Standards
The lawsuit alleges that Royal Caribbean had actual and constructive knowledge of the dangers posed by its onboard waterslides but failed to take remedial action. To support the claim of notice, the plaintiff’s legal team cites several prior incidents involving passengers allegedly injured on similar waterslides across the Royal Caribbean fleet. These include a minor passenger injured on the Icon of the Seas in February 2024, as well as other incidents involving passengers on the Liberty of the Seas and Navigator of the Seas dating back to 2019. The complaint argues that despite these known risks and a history of similar accidents, the cruise line did not comply with International Maritime Organization and Safety of Life at Sea standards to identify and correct shipboard hazards within a reasonable timeframe.
Complaint Alleges Negligent Supervision and Inadequate Warning Signs on Icon of the Seas Pressure Drop Attraction
In addition to design flaws, the lawsuit focuses on the failure of Royal Caribbean crewmembers to provide adequate safety instructions or supervision. Baron alleges that while crewmembers were stationed at the slide, they failed to observe or correct the dangerous water pressure levels that led to her injury. Furthermore, the complaint highlights that the signage near the Category 6 waterpark area was ineffective and failed to communicate the specific intensity and high risk of injury associated with the Pressure Drop slide. The plaintiff asserts that Royal Caribbean’s internal standards for slide angles, height, and steepness were either poorly conceived or ignored, leading to an environment where passengers were regularly exposed to unsafe speeds and impact forces.
Plaintiff Seeks Compensation for Permanent Disability and Loss of Vacation Value Following Royal Caribbean Negligence
Baron brings four counts against Royal Caribbean: vicarious liability for crewmember negligence, general negligence, negligent failure to warn, and negligent failure to maintain. She alleges that the cruise line breached its duty of reasonable care by failing to properly train staff and failing to ensure the waterslide was maintained in a safe condition for public use. As a result of the incident, Baron claims she has suffered physical pain, mental anguish, disability, disfigurement, and the loss of enjoyment of life. The lawsuit seeks damages for significant medical expenses, lost wages, and the lost value of her cruise vacation. Baron contends that her injuries are permanent and will require ongoing care and treatment into the future.
Contact a Cruise Ship Waterslide Injury Lawyer Today if You Were Hurt on a Vessel Due to Unsafe Conditions
Cruise passengers who suffer injuries on waterslides or other recreational attractions due to improper maintenance, poor design, or lack of supervision may be entitled to recover damages under maritime law. Cruise companies like Royal Caribbean are required to maintain their vessels in a reasonably safe condition and must warn travelers of known hazards that are not easily detectable. If you or a loved one experienced a serious injury while participating in shipboard activities, contacting an experienced maritime attorney can help you understand your 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.
