Ohio Passenger Sues Norwegian Cruise Line After Slipping on Unsafe, Wet Stairs Aboard Norwegian Joy
Stephanie Anderson, an IT manager and resident of Ohio, has filed a personal injury lawsuit against Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) in the Southern District of Florida. The complaint, filed under Case No. 1:25-cv-25619-JAL on December 1, 2025, alleges that Anderson suffered severe and permanent injuries after slipping and falling down a flight of wet stairs aboard the Norwegian Joy. The incident occurred during a seven-night Eastern Caribbean cruise departing from Port Canaveral, Florida.
Cruise Passenger Injured on Norwegian Joy Stairwell Due to Unsafe Wet and Slippery Conditions
According to the lawsuit, the incident took place on or about November 27, 2025, while the Norwegian Joy was sailing near the British Virgin Islands. Ms. Anderson and her husband, Nathan Anderson, were descending a stairwell connecting Decks 16 and 17 near the American Diner restaurant when the fall occurred.
The complaint details that the couple had ascended the same stairwell about an hour earlier and had noticed that some of the steps were already wet, prompting them to proceed with caution. When they returned to descend, the plaintiff alleges that the poor lighting combined with the color of the steps made it impossible to visually distinguish between dry steps and those that were still wet and hazardous.
Upon stepping onto a wet step, Ms. Anderson’s foot allegedly shot out from under her, describing the surface as “slippery as ice,” causing her to fall hard onto her back and tumble down the stairs.
NCL Accused of Negligent Failure to Maintain Safe Stairwell and Remove Standing Water
The lawsuit asserts that NCL breached its non-delegable duty to provide reasonable care to its passengers, specifically an obligation to ensure walking surfaces are dry and safe. The complaint argues that wet steps on a moving ship are exponentially more dangerous than those on land, as the vessel’s constant rolling, swaying, and heeling continually changes the slope of the walking surface. Furthermore, stairs present a smaller landing surface for the foot than flat floors, increasing the risk and severity of a fall.
The core allegation of negligence is that Norwegian Cruise Line failed to dry the stairs. This failure includes neglecting to squeegee or otherwise remove the standing water. The complaint relies on the fact that the Andersons observed the wet steps an hour before the fall, arguing that NCL had constructive knowledge of the hazard and ample time to discover and eliminate it prior to the accident.
The claim for relief falls under general maritime law and is designated as a personal injury/negligence action. Jurisdiction is asserted based on both admiralty/maritime law and diversity of citizenship.
Plaintiff Seeks Substantial Damages for Permanent Back Injuries and Medical Expenses
As a direct result of the fall down the dangerous, wet stairwell, Ms. Anderson claims to have suffered serious injuries, including damage to the vertebrae of her upper and lower back.
The lawsuit seeks damages for a comprehensive list of losses, including:
- Bodily injury, pain and suffering.
- Physical impairment and mental anguish.
- Inconvenience and loss of the capacity for the enjoyment of life.
- Expense of hospitalization, medical, and nursing care.
- Aggravation of a pre-existing condition.
- Loss of earnings and future earning capacity.
The complaint alleges that these losses are either permanent or continuing in nature. Ms. Anderson is demanding judgment against Norwegian Cruise Line for damages exceeding $75,000 and has requested a jury trial.
Contact a Maritime Accident Attorney if You Suffered a Cruise Ship Stairwell Slip and Fall Injury
Cruise line passengers who are injured due to negligent maintenance of common areas like stairwells, especially those involving wet, slippery, or poorly lit conditions, may be entitled to recover damages under maritime personal injury law. Cruise lines, including Norwegian Cruise Line, have a legal obligation to exercise reasonable care to maintain a safe environment for their guests, and failure to clean up obvious or long-standing hazards constitutes a breach of that duty. If you or a loved one sustained injuries in a similar cruise ship slip and fall accident involving a wet stairwell or other dangerous condition, consulting with an experienced Florida cruise ship injury attorney can help you understand your legal options and pursue compensation.
Contact us now to speak with a cruise ship slip and fall attorney.
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.
