Royal Caribbean Sued After Passenger Slips on Ping Pong Ball Near Pool Deck on Radiance of the Seas
George Laufer, a 76-year-old resident of Cape Coral, Florida, has filed a maritime personal injury lawsuit against Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. in the Southern District of Florida. The complaint, filed under Case No. 0:25-cv-62440-PCH, alleges that Laufer suffered serious knee and ankle injuries after slipping on a stray ping pong ball left on Deck 11 of the Radiance of the Seas on November 4, 2024.
Cruise Passenger Slips on Ping Pong Ball Near Lifeguard Station on Deck 11 of Radiance of the Seas
According to the lawsuit, Laufer and his wife were walking near the pool and lifeguard station on Deck 11 when he stepped on a ping pong ball that had not been picked up or removed from the area. The incident occurred around 11:45 a.m. as Laufer turned to retrieve a chair. The unexpected object allegedly caused him to slip or trip, resulting in a fall that severely injured his right knee and ankle.
Laufer was evaluated in the ship’s medical center and later diagnosed with two torn ligaments in his right knee. Conservative treatment efforts have failed, and he now faces surgery. The complaint claims the area was negligently maintained and that the ping pong tables were inappropriately placed in high-traffic walkways without proper safety protocols to prevent balls from rolling into pedestrian paths.
Royal Caribbean Accused of Failing to Monitor, Maintain, or Warn About Dangerous Conditions Involving Loose Objects
The lawsuit includes counts for general negligence and failure to warn. Laufer alleges that Royal Caribbean failed to conduct proper inspections of Deck 11, neglected to place barriers or containment around recreational equipment, and failed to remove rolling objects such as ping pong balls that could cause guests to fall. The complaint also asserts that Royal Caribbean failed to implement adequate safety procedures to prevent foreseeable hazards near walkways and pool areas.
Laufer’s legal team cites multiple prior lawsuits against Royal Caribbean involving passengers injured by ping pong balls and other objects left in walkways, including:
- O’Malley v. Royal Caribbean (2017): where a passenger on Anthem of the Seas slipped on ping pong balls that had fallen from an upper deck.
- Morrison v. Royal Caribbean (2019): involving a passenger who tripped on an ashtray left in a walkway.
- Silva v. Royal Caribbean (2024): where a passenger slipped on a wet floor in the Windjammer Café—located in the same area as Laufer’s incident.
These prior incidents are cited to establish that Royal Caribbean had actual and constructive notice of the risks associated with small or rolling objects in guest walkways but failed to take corrective actions.
Complaint Alleges Recurring Failure to Monitor Ping Pong Tables and Prevent Trip Hazards on Pool Deck
Laufer claims the ping pong tables were installed in a location where balls could easily travel into guest areas, and that Royal Caribbean failed to implement containment features or assign crew members to monitor the recreational space. The lawsuit further asserts that the company was aware of similar accidents and failed to adjust its safety practices accordingly.
The complaint states that Royal Caribbean not only failed to remove a dangerous tripping hazard but also failed to warn guests about the presence of small objects on the ground. The lawsuit alleges that Laufer’s injuries were foreseeable and preventable, and resulted directly from Royal Caribbean’s negligence.
Plaintiff Seeks Damages for Surgery, Medical Costs, and Lost Value of Cruise Due to Deck Hazard
As a result of the incident, Laufer is seeking damages for physical pain, emotional distress, medical treatment, and loss of enjoyment of life. He alleges permanent impairment and disability due to the ligament injuries in his knee and ankle, and also seeks compensation for the diminished value of his cruise vacation.
Contact a Cruise Ship Trip and Fall Lawyer if You Were Injured Due to Objects Left in Walkways or Deck Areas
Passengers injured due to rolling or loose objects left in walkways—such as ping pong balls, ashtrays, or wet debris—may have a right to seek compensation under maritime law. Cruise lines like Royal Caribbean are required to inspect, monitor, and maintain public areas to prevent foreseeable hazards. If you or a loved one was injured after slipping on a cruise ship due to poor maintenance or lack of warnings, our experienced maritime attorneys can help.
Contact us now to speak with a cruise ship trip and fall injury lawyer in Florida.
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.
