Ohio Woman Sues Norwegian Cruise Line After Slip and Fall on Wet Deck Near Norwegian Getaway Waterslide
Staci McSwain, a resident of Ohio, has filed a maritime personal injury lawsuit against NCL (Bahamas) Ltd. in the Southern District of Florida. The lawsuit, filed under Case No. 1:25-cv-25889-DPG, alleges that McSwain suffered severe and permanent injuries after slipping and falling on a wet deck while descending steps from a waterslide aboard the Norwegian Getaway on December 29, 2025.
Cruise Passenger Injured on Norwegian Getaway Due to Liquid on Deck and Lack of Warning Signs
According to the complaint, the incident occurred while McSwain was a paying passenger navigating a common area near the vessel’s waterslide. While she was descending the stairs from the slide, she encountered an unreasonably slippery substance on the flooring which caused her to slip and fall. The lawsuit asserts that the area was one where passengers were specifically invited and expected to be. Despite the known risks of water accumulation near pool and slide areas, the cruise line allegedly failed to provide adequate verbal warnings or place caution signs to alert passengers to the hazard. McSwain contends that the flooring condition was not safely maintained and that Norwegian Cruise Line failed to implement necessary safety measures such as anti-slip materials or monitoring to ensure the area remained free of slip and fall hazards.
Norwegian Cruise Line Accused of Failing to Maintain and Warn Despite Knowledge of Prior Waterslide Slip and Fall Incidents
The lawsuit alleges that Norwegian Cruise Line had both actual and constructive knowledge of the dangerous conditions near its waterslides. Plaintiff’s legal team points to several prior incidents involving passengers slipping on liquid near waterslides on various ships within the defendant’s fleet. The complaint references specific instances, including a passenger injury on the Norwegian Joy in April 2024, an incident on the Norwegian Epic in March 2024, another on the Norwegian Joy in August 2024, and two separate falls on the Norwegian Encore in June 2023 and November 2022. These prior cases are cited as evidence that the cruise line was well aware of the high probability of injury in these high traffic deck areas but failed to correct the conditions or provide sufficient warnings. Furthermore, the complaint suggests that the cruise line orchestrates confidential settlements to shield the frequency of such incidents from the public.
Complaint Alleges Negligent Failure to Inspect and Monitor High Traffic Flooring Surfaces on Norwegian Getaway
In addition to the failure to warn, McSwain alleges that Norwegian Cruise Line breached its non-delegable duty to maintain the vessel in a reasonably safe condition. The complaint argues that the cruise line failed to regularly inspect and monitor the flooring surfaces for unsafe conditions. It is alleged that the defendant did not adequately clean the area or use appropriate mats and strips to mitigate slipping hazards. The legal team asserts that Norwegian Cruise Line failed to enforce internal policies and industry standards designed to protect passengers from foreseeable dangers on wet decks. The lawsuit claims that the hazardous condition existed for a sufficient length of time that the cruise line should have discovered and corrected it through the exercise of reasonable care.
Plaintiff Seeks Damages for Permanent Disability and Loss of Enjoyment of Life Due to Norwegian Cruise Line Negligence
McSwain brings three counts of negligence against the defendant: negligent failure to warn, negligent failure to maintain, and general negligence. She claims the cruise line breached its duty of reasonable care, leading to significant physical and emotional trauma. As a direct result of the fall, McSwain allegedly suffered injuries to her body and extremities, physical pain, mental anguish, and a permanent loss of enjoyment of life. The lawsuit seeks compensation for lost wages, impairment of future earning capacity, medical expenses, and the lost value of her cruise vacation. The complaint emphasizes that her injuries are continuing in nature and will require ongoing care.
Contact a Cruise Ship Waterslide Injury Lawyer Today if You Were Hurt in a Slip and Fall Accident on a Vessel
Cruise passengers who suffer injuries due to slippery deck conditions, poorly maintained pool areas, or lack of warning signs near waterslides may be entitled to significant compensation under maritime law. Companies like Norwegian Cruise Line have a legal responsibility to ensure that all guest areas are free of hazards and that staff are properly supervised to maintain safety standards. If you or a loved one was injured in a slip and fall accident while on a cruise, contact our team of experienced maritime injury attorneys to discuss your case. We can help you navigate the complexities of maritime litigation and work toward the recovery you deserve.
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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.
