North Carolina Passenger Sues Royal Caribbean After Trip and Fall on Uneven Deck Aboard Utopia of the Seas
Mary Therese Deegan, a resident of North Carolina, has filed a maritime personal injury lawsuit against Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. in the Southern District of Florida. The lawsuit, filed under Case No. 1:26-cv-27877-RAR, alleges that Deegan suffered severe and permanent injuries after tripping on a dangerous and uneven flooring surface while walking on Deck 16 of the Utopia of the Seas on November 25, 2025.
Cruise Passenger Injured on Utopia of the Seas Deck 16 Due to Hidden Uneven Flooring Surface
According to the complaint, the incident occurred while Deegan was traversing an open walkway on Deck 16 of the vessel. She suddenly tripped and fell due to an unexpected change in elevation that was entirely unmarked. The legal filing alleges that the deck area featured a continuous, uniform color and texture, which visually camouflaged the sudden change in floor levels and created a dangerous optical illusion for walking passengers. The lawsuit argues that the hazardous nature of the flooring was not open and obvious because it lacked high-visibility safety paint, contrasting color bands, textured grip tape, or any warning signage. Because the deck visually blended together, the plaintiff had no reasonable way of anticipating the sudden drop or elevation change in her path.
Royal Caribbean Accused of Negligent Failure to Warn and Maintain Safe Walkways for Passengers
The lawsuit alleges that Royal Caribbean had a duty to maintain a flat, uniform open walkway or, at the very least, provide adequate warnings about sudden elevation changes. The plaintiff claims the cruise line had both actual and constructive knowledge of this specific hazard. To support this claim, the complaint cites multiple prior trip and fall lawsuits filed against Royal Caribbean involving similar unmarked and uneven flooring surfaces across its fleet. These referenced cases include incidents aboard the Utopia of the Seas, Liberty of the Seas, Allure of the Seas, Brilliance of the Seas, and Harmony of the Seas. The plaintiff argues that these prior incidents should have put the cruise line on notice that continuous monochromatic flooring without proper visual demarcations or handrails poses a severe trip hazard to passengers.
Maritime Lawsuit Highlights General Negligence and Lack of Proper Risk Management by Cruise Line
Beyond the failure to warn, the complaint brings a count of general negligence against the cruise operator, criticizing the company’s internal risk management and safety protocols. The lawsuit claims that Royal Caribbean failed to adequately monitor and inspect its deck surfaces to ensure they were free of hazards. Furthermore, the plaintiff alleges that the cruise line failed to comply with standard safety codes designed to prevent these exact types of tripping accidents. Despite having detailed Safety Management System policies and procedures, the cruise line allegedly failed to analyze prior trip and fall data to proactively remedy known hazardous conditions. The complaint asserts that Royal Caribbean should have retrofitted the flooring surface or utilized reasonably safe materials in light of the heavy passenger traffic expected on Deck 16.
Plaintiff Seeks Damages for Severe Injuries and Medical Expenses Following Royal Caribbean Deck Accident
Deegan brings three specific counts of negligence against Royal Caribbean, including negligent failure to warn, negligent failure to maintain, and general negligence. She claims the cruise line breached its duty to provide passengers with reasonable care under the circumstances. The lawsuit states that as a direct result of the fall, Deegan suffered severe injuries to her body and extremities, alongside physical pain, mental anguish, disability, and disfigurement. Her injuries are described as permanent and continuing in nature, requiring ongoing medical care and treatment. In addition to seeking compensation for her medical expenses and lost wages, she is also pursuing damages for the lost value of her vacation, cruise fare, and related transportation costs.
Contact a Maritime Personal Injury Lawyer if You Were Hurt on a Cruise Ship Vacation
Cruise passengers injured due to unsafe conditions, especially those involving unmarked elevation changes, slippery decks, or hidden tripping hazards, may be entitled to compensation under maritime law. Cruise lines like Royal Caribbean have a strict legal obligation to ensure that all passenger walkways are safely designed, properly maintained, and adequately marked to protect guests from foreseeable harm.
If you or someone you care about was injured in a similar trip and fall accident on a cruise vacation, contact our team of experienced maritime injury lawyers today. We are here to help you understand your rights and explore your legal options. Contact us now to speak with a cruise ship slip and fall attorney.https://holzberglegal.com/contact-us/
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.
