Pennsylvania Woman Sues Royal Caribbean After Slipping on Confetti-Covered Atrium Staircase During Sail Away Party
La Nor Rahman, a resident of Pennsylvania, has filed a maritime personal injury lawsuit against Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. in the Southern District of Florida. The lawsuit, Case No. 1:25-cv-25050-PCH, alleges that Rahman suffered serious injuries, including permanent physical damage, after slipping on a slippery staircase in the Atrium of the Enchantment of the Seas during a Sail Away party on November 9, 2024.
Cruise Passenger Injured on Marble Staircase Covered with Confetti and Balloons During Enchantment of the Seas Party
According to the complaint, the incident occurred during the Sail Away embarkation party, when Royal Caribbean’s crew released festive decorations—including silky confetti and balloons—into the Atrium from above. Rahman was descending a marble staircase in the Atrium when she slipped on what is described as a “slippery and transitory foreign substance” on the steps and fell down several stairs. The lawsuit asserts that the decorations created both a slipping hazard and visual obstruction that concealed the dangerous flooring conditions from passengers.
The complaint further alleges that the flooring itself was inherently slick, even without foreign substances, and lacked anti-slip surfacing. Rahman states that no warning signs, safety mats, or cautionary measures were present, and that the hazardous conditions were neither open nor obvious.
Royal Caribbean Accused of Creating Hazardous Conditions During Onboard Event and Failing to Warn Passengers
Rahman claims that Royal Caribbean failed to properly maintain the staircase, allowed the decorations to remain where they posed a slipping danger, and failed to warn passengers of the risks. The lawsuit describes the cruise line’s conduct as particularly negligent because the decorations were introduced by the ship’s crew as part of a planned event, making the risk both foreseeable and preventable.
The complaint alleges that Royal Caribbean had actual and constructive knowledge of the dangerous condition. It references the cruise line’s internal safety policies requiring regular inspection, cleaning, and placement of warning signage in areas prone to wet or slippery surfaces. Despite these policies, the crew allegedly took no action to mitigate the hazards in the Atrium during or after the party.
Lawsuit Cites Prior Royal Caribbean Slip and Fall Cases Involving Slippery Staircases and Public Areas
To demonstrate that Royal Caribbean was on notice of similar hazards, the lawsuit points to multiple prior lawsuits involving slip and fall incidents on similar flooring materials aboard the company’s vessels. These include:
- Stieber v. Royal Caribbean Cruises (Brilliance of the Seas): Passenger slipped on spilled hand sanitizer
- Lainez v. Royal Caribbean Cruises (Jewel of the Seas): Slip in the main lobby on a foreign substance
- Galasso v. Royal Caribbean Cruises (Freedom of the Seas): Fall on Deck 5 on slick flooring
- Barney v. Royal Caribbean Cruises (Anthem of the Seas): Fall on an interior marble staircase
- Lei v. Royal Caribbean Cruises and Marcello v. Royal Caribbean Cruises (both involving the Enchantment of the Seas): Passengers slipped on transitory substances in the Windjammer Café
These cases are presented as evidence that Royal Caribbean knew or should have known that the materials used in its public areas, particularly marble stairs, become dangerously slick when wet or covered in debris.
Plaintiff Alleges Multiple Counts of Negligence, Including Failure to Maintain, Warn, and Supervise Event Hazards
Rahman brings three counts of negligence against Royal Caribbean: negligent failure to warn, negligent maintenance, and general negligence. The complaint alleges that the cruise line:
- Failed to warn passengers of hazardous conditions in the Atrium
- Failed to inspect and maintain the staircase
- Created the unsafe condition by releasing confetti and balloons without safety protocols
- Failed to implement adequate cleaning or hazard-removal procedures
- Did not enforce policies to inspect, monitor, or warn about event-related slip risks
Rahman claims she suffered injuries to her body and extremities, loss of mobility, emotional distress, and economic damages including lost wages and diminished earning capacity. Her injuries are described as permanent or continuing in nature, and she is seeking damages for medical expenses and the lost value of her cruise.
Slipped on a Cruise Ship Staircase or Event Debris? Maritime Law May Entitle You to Compensation
When cruise lines host onboard events that involve slippery decorations or obstructive materials, they have a legal responsibility to protect passengers from foreseeable risks. If you or a loved one has been injured in a fall caused by cruise ship decorations, wet stairs, or slick public areas, you may have grounds for a maritime injury claim.
Contact us now to speak with a cruise ship slip and fall attorney about your case.
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.
