Royal Caribbean After Pool Deck Injury Near Ice Cream Station Aboard Grandeur of the Seas
Joyce Dillman, a Florida resident, has filed a maritime personal injury lawsuit against Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida. The complaint, filed under Case No. 1:25-cv-25400, stems from a slip and fall incident that occurred on October 29, 2024, aboard the Grandeur of the Seas. Dillman alleges she was seriously injured after slipping on a liquid trail that had leaked from a temporary bar stationed near the pool deck’s ice cream station.
Cruise Passenger Slips on Pool Deck Trail of Liquid from Temporary Bar Aboard Grandeur of the Seas
According to the complaint, Dillman was walking near the Windjammer Café ice cream station on the pool deck when she stepped into a trail of liquid that had allegedly leaked from a temporary bar set up by Royal Caribbean crew. The liquid formed a visible path across a high-traffic area, and Dillman claims she slipped on it, resulting in injuries that required two neck surgeries and other extensive medical treatment.
The area was staffed at the time by Royal Caribbean employees assigned to the bar and ice cream station. Dillman asserts that these crew members had clear line-of-sight to the leaking liquid and the hazard it created, yet took no steps to warn passengers, block off the area, or clean up the substance.
Lawsuit Claims Royal Caribbean Knew Deck Area Was Prone to Slip Hazards
The lawsuit alleges that Royal Caribbean had both actual and constructive knowledge of the dangerous condition. It cites the presence of caution signs in the area on prior occasions and the use of non-slip mats in some—but not all—areas of the deck as evidence that the cruise line was aware of the floor’s slippery nature when wet.
Dillman also points to numerous previous lawsuits involving similar pool deck slip and fall incidents aboard Royal Caribbean vessels. Cases such as Atkins v. Royal Caribbean, Morrison v. Royal Caribbean, and Hamilton v. Royal Caribbean are included as examples of prior claims involving wet or slick surfaces on or near pool decks.
The complaint also references safety standards, including ASTM and ADA guidelines, which establish minimum requirements for slip resistance and safe flooring conditions. Dillman contends that Royal Caribbean failed to comply with these industry standards by failing to install non-slip surfaces in the accident area.
Four Counts of Negligence Filed Against Royal Caribbean Including Failure to Warn and Maintain Safe Deck Conditions
Dillman’s lawsuit brings four separate counts of negligence against Royal Caribbean:
- General negligence: Failure to provide a reasonably safe walkway, use non-slip flooring, and supervise crew properly.
- Negligent failure to warn: Crew allegedly failed to warn Dillman of the trail of liquid or place caution signage in the area.
- Negligent failure to maintain: The cruise line allegedly failed to inspect and maintain the temporary bar and surrounding flooring to prevent leaks and hazards.
- Vicarious liability: Royal Caribbean is also held liable for the actions of its crew working the temporary bar and ice cream station, who allegedly failed to warn of the hazardous condition they could see developing in real time.
The lawsuit argues that the liquid trail developed over time, meaning crew had ample opportunity to take preventive measures or remove the hazard altogether.
Plaintiff Seeks Compensation for Permanent Injuries, Medical Expenses, and Lost Cruise Value
Dillman claims she suffered permanent injuries, including damage to her neck and extremities, chronic pain, disability, emotional distress, and an impaired ability to work. In addition to her physical injuries, she seeks damages for the loss of enjoyment of her cruise vacation, as well as reimbursement for medical costs and transportation expenses associated with the trip.
She has demanded a jury trial and is seeking damages in excess of $75,000.
Injured on a Cruise Ship Pool Deck? Speak with a Maritime Slip and Fall Lawyer Today
Slip and fall accidents on pool decks and high-traffic cruise ship areas are a common cause of injury for passengers. Cruise lines like Royal Caribbean have a legal duty to maintain safe walking surfaces and to warn guests of known hazards. If you or someone you know was injured on a slippery pool deck aboard a cruise ship, you may be entitled to compensation under maritime law.
Contact our team to speak with an experienced cruise ship injury lawyer today.
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.
