Puerto Rico Family Sues Royal Caribbean and Manufacturers After Child Suffers Severe Slide Injury on Icon of the Seas
Luis Vargas, as parent and natural guardian of Kaylee E. Vargas (K.V.), a resident of Puerto Rico, has filed a personal injury lawsuit against Royal Caribbean Group (RCCL), Kaefer LLC, and Kaefer Oy (KO) in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida. The lawsuit, filed under General Maritime Law, alleges that the minor suffered severe injuries to her left leg while using the dry slide in the Surfside neighborhood aboard the Icon of the Seas on December 14, 2024.
Dry Slide in “Kid-Friendly” Surfside Neighborhood Allegedly Caused Severe Injury
The complaint alleges the minor, K.V., was an 11-year-old paying passenger at the time of the incident. The injury occurred while she was descending the dry slide, located between Deck 8 and Deck 7 in the Surfside Neighborhood, an area RCCL marketed as “A neighborhood made for young families from end to end” where “kids ages six and under can stay and play all day”. The plaintiff and her parents reviewed RCCL’s online materials and booked the cruise based on these representations.
The incident occurred while K.V. was descending the slide wearing shoes, and her left foot and shoe became caught on the near 90-degree edge of the slide. This caused significant friction, trapping her left leg and forcing it inward, while the rest of her body continued downward with considerable force, resulting in severe injuries to her left leg. The dangerous conditions, including the improper slide design and lack of supervision, were not open and obvious to the plaintiff.
The dangerous conditions of the slide are alleged to include the slide surface material creating an unreasonably high level of coefficient of friction, making it likely for passengers wearing shoes to get stuck. Additionally, the slide was improperly designed with sharp, approximately 90-degree edges that increased the likelihood of entanglement, friction, and injury severity. The lack of adequate supervision by RCCL crewmembers to enforce safety rules, such as requiring riders to descend in an upright, seated position, is also cited as a contributing factor.
Royal Caribbean and Manufacturers Accused of Negligent Design and Failure to Warn
The lawsuit is notable for suing both the cruise line and the design/manufacturing companies, Kaefer LLC and Kaefer Oy (KO), alleging negligent and defective design of the attraction. RCCL is accused of being directly involved with designing and/or approving the designs of the Surfside dry slide, including selecting materials and establishing internal standards for slide angles and the coefficient of friction.
Kaefer LLC and KO, a Delaware and a Finland corporation respectively, are identified as the designer, developer, manufacturer, and seller of the dry slide, and are alleged to have worked directly with RCCL on the design. Kaefer’s website stated that their job was to “help bring that vision to life” for Royal Caribbean and ensured “materials and furniture are truly fit for purpose,” specifically asking the question, “Can children use the slide area safely?”. The plaintiffs argue that all defendants were aware that the materials should be fit for purpose and safe for children.
The plaintiffs allege that RCCL failed to implement the same safety protocols used on the ship’s other dry slide, the Ultimate Abyss, which includes providing supervision, verbal instructions, and a mat to descend the slide. Furthermore, prior incidents on the same slide are cited, including an incident on October 12, 2024, where a minor’s rubber-sole sneaker got stuck in the 90-degree edge, causing severe injury requiring multiple surgeries. The complaint also notes that RCCL knew or should have known of the dangerous conditions through a public Facebook group where there are numerous comments regarding prior incidents and injuries.
Plaintiff Seeks Damages for Permanent Injuries and Accuses RCCL of Concealing Prior Incidents
The complaint raises thirteen counts, including General Negligence, Negligent Failure to Warn, Negligent Maintenance, Negligent Supervision and Training, and Negligent Design and Strict Products Liability against all defendants.
As a direct result of the negligence and design defect, the minor suffered severe injuries to her body and extremities, physical pain, mental anguish, disability, disfigurement, and incurred medical expenses. The injuries are alleged to be permanent or continuing in nature, and the plaintiff will suffer future losses.
The plaintiff also alleges that RCCL regularly resolves cases and requires confidentiality as part of settlements to shield the facts and circumstances of prior incidents from publicly available sources. Accordingly, RCCL is accused of actively orchestrating and being involved in the concealment of prior substantially similar incidents.
If your child has been injured on a cruise ship amenity, especially one involving a complex design like a dry slide, you may be entitled to compensation. Cruise lines and product designers have a duty to ensure attractions are safe for foreseeable use by children. Contact our experienced maritime injury lawyers today to discuss your rights and explore your legal options.
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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.
