South Carolina Man Sues NCL After Slip and Fall on Wet Lido Deck Boarding Aqua Cruise Ship
Joseph LeMin, a resident of South Carolina, has filed a maritime personal injury lawsuit against NCL (Bahamas) Ltd. in the Southern District of Florida. The lawsuit, filed under Case No. 1:26-cv-24700-RKA, alleges that LeMin suffered serious and permanent injuries after slipping on a wet and unreasonably slippery lido deck floor near the main pool while traveling as a passenger aboard the cruise ship Aqua on July 21, 2025.
Cruise Passenger Injured Near Main Pool on Lido Deck Due to Unreasonably Slippery Surface and Lack of Warnings
According to the complaint, the incident occurred as LeMin was traversing the lido deck area near the main pool of the vessel. While walking through this highly trafficked zone, he encountered a severe slip hazard caused by an accumulation of water that had formed a large puddle on the deck surface. The cruise line allegedly failed to place any wet-floor signs, caution cones, barriers, or warnings of any kind to alert passengers to the danger. LeMin asserts that the dangerous condition was not open or obvious because the true degree of slipperiness was not readily appreciable to an ordinary traveler, giving him no reason to anticipate the risk. While passengers routinely track water around the pool area, the cruise line failed to monitor or clear the standing water, leaving the pathway hazardous for unsuspecting guests.
Norwegian Cruise Line Accused of Having Actual and Constructive Notice of Dangerous Flooring Conditions Across Ship Class
The lawsuit alleges that NCL had both actual and constructive knowledge of the unsafe lido deck conditions well before the incident took place. The complaint states that NCL maintains internal databases logging prior passenger complaints, slip and fall incidents, and shipboard meeting minutes where safety hazards are actively documented. To establish a pattern of notice, the plaintiff’s legal team points to multiple prior maritime lawsuits filed against NCL involving similar slip and fall accidents on wet lido decks. The complaint cites specific federal cases involving the cruise line, including Baker v. NCL (Bahamas) Ltd., McKee v. NCL (Bahamas) Ltd., Langdon v. NCL (Bahamas) Ltd., and Dingus v. NCL (Bahamas) Ltd. These prior cases involved injuries on identical Prima-class sister ships, including the NCL Prima and NCL Viva, which share the same class-wide design, layout, and flooring materials as the Aqua. The plaintiff argues these incidents prove the cruise line was fully aware that this specific flooring material becomes dangerously slick when wet but failed to take corrective action.
Complaint Alleges Negligent Maintenance and Failure to Comply with International Maritime Safety Regulations
In addition to failing to warn passengers, the complaint alleges that NCL breached its duty of care through negligent maintenance and a failure to inspect the deck properly. The lawsuit asserts that crew members are specifically trained to identify and address slip hazards, yet staff in the immediate area failed to dry or cordon off the large puddle, which had allegedly been left standing for a sufficient period of time to invite corrective action. Furthermore, the lawsuit alleges that NCL failed to comply with mandatory international vessel safety regulations under the Safety of Life at Sea treaty, specifically regarding the maintenance of safe escape routes and walkways. The plaintiff notes that industry safety guidelines from ASTM International and the American National Standards Institute were ignored, as the cruise line continuously allowed the highly trafficked pool area to remain slick and poorly maintained during normal operating hours.
Plaintiff Suffers Fractured Vertebra and Seeks Damages for Permanent Injuries and Medical Expenses Under Maritime Law
LeMin brings three counts of negligence against NCL: negligent maintenance, negligent failure to warn, and negligent design, construction, and selection of materials. The lawsuit details that as a direct result of the slip and fall, LeMin sustained severe physical injuries, specifically highlighting a fractured vertebra at T7/T8. The complaint states that his injuries are permanent and continuing in nature, causing him to endure significant physical pain, mental anguish, disability, physical impairment, and a diminished capacity for the enjoyment of life. The plaintiff is seeking compensation for significant past and future medical expenses, court costs, and pre-judgment interest allowable under general maritime law, asserting that the cruise line failed in its non-delegable duty to provide a reasonably safe environment for its passengers.
Contact a Cruise Ship Lido Deck Injury Lawyer Today if You Were Hurt on a Vessel Due to Standing Water Hazards
Cruise passengers who suffer injuries due to wet flooring, pool deck slip and falls, or a total lack of safety signage may be entitled to significant financial compensation under maritime law. Major cruise lines have a legal responsibility to select appropriate non-slip materials and properly maintain high-traffic passenger zones to prevent foreseeable slip hazards. If you or a loved one experienced a severe injury while traveling on a cruise ship due to standing water or neglected maintenance, contact our team of experienced maritime personal injury attorneys today to review your case and protect your rights.
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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.
