Rhode Island Man Sues Norwegian Cruise Line After Fall on Sticky Interior Corridor Floor Aboard Norwegian Jewel
Robert Hoseason, a resident of Rhode Island, has filed a federal maritime personal injury lawsuit against NCL (Bahamas) Ltd. doing business as Norwegian Cruise Line. The complaint, filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida under Case No. 1:26-cv-25478-RAR, alleges that Hoseason suffered severe and permanent physical injuries after losing his footing on an interior walkway surface aboard the Norwegian Jewel on July 19, 2025.
Passenger Injured on Norwegian Jewel Interior Corridor Due to Abnormal Floor Grip and Sticky Foreign Substance
The incident occurred while Hoseason was walking along an interior corridor and public walkway located on Deck 7 of the Norwegian Jewel. The walkway serves as a primary public access route leading toward an exit door to the exterior deck. While walking through the area, Hoseason suddenly lost his footing and fell due to an abnormal surface grip and a dirty, sticky, or transitory foreign substance on the floor.
The complaint states that the tacky surface condition created an unnatural traction hazard that arrested the normal forward movement of his foot, causing him to fall. This dangerous flooring condition was not open or obvious to passengers because the substance lacked visual contrast with the surrounding deck materials, rendering it undetectable to an ordinary traveler without specialized flooring expertise.
Norwegian Cruise Line Accused of Failing to Clean and Maintain High Traffic Deck 7 Walkway
The lawsuit asserts that Norwegian Cruise Line owed passengers a duty of reasonable care under maritime law, which includes an ongoing obligation to maintain high-traffic public walkways in a safe condition. Hoseason alleges the cruise line breached this duty by failing to perform adequate routine safety inspections, failing to promptly clean and dry known surface contaminants, and neglecting to place non-skid floor mats or protective coatings in areas prone to traction hazards.
According to the filing, Deck 7 serves as an active thoroughfare and designated escape route subject to international maritime safety regulations under the International Maritime Organization and the Safety of Life at Sea convention. By permitting foreign substances and improper friction levels to compromise this passenger corridor, the cruise line allegedly exposed travelers to preventable fall risks.
Lawsuit Cites Prior Fleet Fall Incidents Showing Notice of Unsafe Flooring Friction Hazards
The legal complaint asserts that Norwegian Cruise Line had actual and constructive notice of hazardous walkway conditions across its fleet. In support of notice, the filing references prior passenger fall lawsuits in the Southern District of Florida involving similar sticky substances and sudden traction problems on Norwegian vessels, including Baksh v. NCL (Bahamas) Ltd. aboard the Norwegian Joy, Carroll v. NCL (Bahamas) Ltd. aboard the Norwegian Pride, and Orchier v. NCL (Bahamas) Ltd. aboard the Norwegian Prima.
The plaintiff claims the cruise operator routinely performs coefficient of friction testing and maintains internal safety ratings for shipboard flooring materials. Because similar surface finishes are used across its sister ships, Norwegian Cruise Line allegedly knew that flooring with excessive grip or sticky residue creates an unreasonable tripping hazard, yet failed to deploy caution signage, isolate the corridor, or remedy the Deck 7 walkway before Hoseason was injured.
Injured Cruise Passenger Seeks Compensation for Surgeries, Medical Bills, and Permanent Impairment
Hoseason brings two counts of negligence against Norwegian Cruise Line, specifically negligent maintenance and negligent failure to warn. The lawsuit states that as a direct consequence of the fall, Hoseason sustained severe bodily injuries that required surgical intervention, resulting in postoperative complications, physical impairment, disability, past and future medical expenses, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life.
The damages claimed exceed the federal diversity threshold, and the plaintiff has demanded a jury trial in the Southern District of Florida to recover full compensatory relief for his permanent injuries.
Contact a Cruise Ship Deck Slip and Fall Lawyer if You Were Injured Aboard a Vessel
Passengers who suffer injuries due to poorly maintained flooring, abnormal walkway friction, or unaddressed spills aboard a cruise vessel have legal rights under general maritime law. Cruise operators have a strict responsibility to maintain passenger walkways in a reasonably safe condition and to warn guests of non-obvious hazards. If you or a loved one sustained injuries during a vacation due to shipboard negligence, reach out to our dedicated maritime injury team to discuss your claim and evaluate your legal options.
Contact us now to speak with an experienced cruise ship injury 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, are not commenting on the merits of the case, and are not predicting any outcome.
