Pennsylvania Woman Sues MSC Cruises After Slipping on Wet Floor in Buffet Area Aboard MSC Meraviglia
Frances Medina, a resident of Pennsylvania, has filed a negligence lawsuit against MSC Cruises, S.A., alleging that she suffered serious injuries after slipping and falling on a wet floor near the buffet area aboard the MSC Meraviglia. The complaint was filed on September 3, 2025, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida under Case No. 1:25-cv-23973-JB.
Cruise Passenger Slips and Falls on Transitory Wet Substance in High-Traffic Buffet Area of MSC Meraviglia
According to the complaint, the incident occurred on July 9, 2024, while Medina was a fare-paying passenger aboard the MSC Meraviglia. While walking in the buffet area of the vessel, she allegedly slipped on a wet, slippery, and foreign substance on the floor and fell, suffering injuries to her body and extremities.
The area where Medina fell was described in the lawsuit as a high-traffic location heavily used by both passengers and crewmembers. Medina claims there were no warnings posted and that she was not made aware of the hazardous condition prior to her fall.
MSC Accused of Failing to Maintain Safe Conditions and Warn Passengers of Wet Floor Hazards
The lawsuit alleges that MSC Cruises breached its duty of reasonable care by failing to maintain the floor in a safe condition and by allowing a dangerous, transitory substance to remain in a heavily trafficked area without warning. Medina also contends that crew members failed to inspect or clean the area in a timely manner and failed to warn passengers of the hazard.
Additionally, MSC is accused of having actual or constructive knowledge of the condition, based on the location’s known propensity for spills and prior similar incidents in buffet areas across the fleet, including the MSC Meraviglia.
Injured Passenger Alleges Permanent Injuries, Medical Expenses, and Loss of Enjoyment of Life
As a direct result of the incident, Medina claims she sustained serious physical injuries and now suffers from:
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Physical impairment
- Disability
- Past and future medical expenses
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Shame and humiliation
The complaint states that her injuries are permanent or continuing in nature, and she is expected to require ongoing treatment and care. Medina is seeking compensatory damages exceeding $75,000, as well as interest and court costs. She has requested a jury trial on all triable issues.
Buffet Area Slip and Falls Are Common and Legally Actionable Under Maritime Law
Slip and fall incidents in cruise ship buffet areas are among the most common sources of passenger injury, due to frequent spills, poor maintenance, and lack of prompt warning. Under maritime law, cruise lines have a duty to protect passengers from non-obvious hazards and must ensure regular inspections and prompt cleanup of high-risk zones.
If you were injured due to a wet or slippery surface aboard a cruise ship, you may be entitled to compensation under maritime law.
Contact us now to speak with a cruise ship slip and fall lawyer and explore your legal rights.
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.
