Passenger Sues Royal Caribbean After Slipping on Rain-Soaked Deck Aboard Harmony of the Seas
An Ohio woman has filed a lawsuit against Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. after allegedly slipping on a rain-slicked metal grate aboard the Harmony of the Seas, resulting in severe spinal injuries. The federal lawsuit, filed under Case No. 1:25-cv-24849, alleges that Royal Caribbean negligently failed to design, maintain, and warn about the dangerously slippery condition of the walking surface on Deck 15.
Slip and Fall on Wet Metal Grate Leads to Spinal Fractures Aboard Harmony of the Seas
According to the complaint, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, Melinda Page was a paying passenger aboard the Harmony of the Seas on September 24, 2024, when she slipped and fell on a wet portion of the deck while walking barefoot near a metal grate on Deck 15.
Page had removed her shoes in an attempt to improve traction after observing wet conditions due to rain. Despite her efforts, she lost her footing on what she describes as an “unreasonably slippery” surface. She sustained serious injuries, including a fractured spine, bulging discs, and bilateral foraminal stenosis—all of which have required significant medical treatment and ongoing care.
Dangerous Design and Slippery Deck Conditions Cited in Lawsuit
The lawsuit alleges that Royal Caribbean either designed or approved the installation of the decking material, which lacked proper slip resistance. The flooring allegedly fell below both Royal Caribbean’s own internal safety standards (coefficient of friction < 0.42) and industry standards such as those set by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).
Page’s attorneys argue that Royal Caribbean had actual or constructive knowledge of the hazard, citing the placement of warning signs and the presence of crew members in the area shortly before the incident. The suit claims that crew members were within 5 to 10 feet of the location where Page fell, yet took no steps to block access, improve conditions, or issue specific warnings to her.
Royal Caribbean Accused of Negligent Design, Maintenance, and Failure to Warn
The lawsuit brings multiple counts of negligence against Royal Caribbean, including:
- Negligent Failure to Remedy: Failing to correct a known slippery condition on a frequently trafficked passenger area.
- Negligent Failure to Warn: Not adequately informing passengers about the risk posed by the wet surface, despite knowledge of prior similar conditions.
- Negligent Design and Installation: Alleging that Royal Caribbean participated in the vessel’s design and chose flooring materials that were unreasonably slick when wet.
- Vicarious Liability: Asserting that Royal Caribbean is responsible for the decisions and actions of its employees who approved or installed the unsafe flooring.
The lawsuit also references Royal Caribbean’s New Build and Refurbishment Departments, alleging they routinely select and install this type of slippery flooring throughout the fleet despite knowing the risks.
Injuries, Damages, and Alleged Lifelong Impacts
Page seeks compensation for a range of damages, including:
- Medical bills and hospitalization costs
- Permanent disability and loss of mobility
- Mental anguish and diminished quality of life
- Lost wages and future earning capacity
- Loss of enjoyment of her vacation
The complaint emphasizes that the losses are permanent and continuing, and seeks damages in excess of $75,000, as required for federal jurisdiction.
Have You Been Injured on a Cruise Ship Due to Slippery Deck Conditions?
Slips and falls on cruise ship decks are among the most common causes of passenger injuries—and they often result from poor design choices or lack of maintenance. If you or a loved one has suffered a similar incident aboard a Royal Caribbean ship, you may have grounds for a claim under maritime law.
At Cruise Injury Lawyers, we specialize in helping cruise ship passengers hold negligent operators accountable. Contact us today for a free consultation with an experienced cruise accident 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 and are not predicting the outcome of this case.
