South Carolina Passenger Sues MSC Cruises After Slipping on Wet Floor Near Buffet on MSC Seashore
Clyde Long, a resident of South Carolina, has filed a maritime negligence lawsuit against MSC Cruises S.A. in the Southern District of Florida. The lawsuit, under Case No. 1:25-cv-22757, claims Long suffered serious injuries, including a fractured kneecap and torn rotator cuff requiring surgery, after slipping on a wet and slippery floor just outside the Market Place Buffet on the MSC Seashore.
Elderly Passenger Slips on Unreasonably Slippery Deck Outside Market Place Buffet on MSC Seashore
According to the complaint, the incident occurred around 1:15 p.m. on July 29, 2024. Long, who was 72 at the time, was exiting the Market Place Buffet on Deck 16 with his wife when he stepped through the sliding glass doors onto the exterior deck on the starboard side. Unaware that the flooring was wet with a clear, hard-to-see liquid, Long slipped and fell, suffering a fractured right knee and torn right shoulder rotator cuff—both of which required surgical repair.
Long alleges that there were no warning signs or barriers to alert passengers to the hazardous condition, and that the wet flooring was not open and obvious.
Lawsuit Claims MSC Failed to Inspect, Maintain, and Warn About Wet, Slippery Surfaces Despite Prior Similar Incidents
Long’s complaint asserts that MSC knew or should have known that flooring in high-traffic buffet and deck areas frequently becomes wet and dangerously slick, especially for elderly passengers who are at greater risk of falls. The lawsuit cites multiple similar slip and fall incidents involving wet floors aboard MSC ships, including Jones v. MSC, Garcia v. MSC, Shipman v. MSC, Iacoli v. MSC, Rogers v. MSC, and Lombardo v. MSC.
Despite these past incidents, Long claims that MSC failed to adopt adequate policies for inspecting and maintaining flooring in passenger-accessible areas, failed to ensure the floor surface had proper slip resistance, and failed to block off or warn about hazardous conditions when wet.
Complaint Brings Counts for Failure to Warn, Negligent Maintenance, and General Negligence
The lawsuit brings three counts against MSC: negligent failure to warn, negligent failure to maintain, and general negligence. Long argues that MSC breached its duty to provide safe walking surfaces and failed to enforce safety standards required by international maritime regulations such as SOLAS and the International Safety Management Code.
He seeks compensation for extensive medical treatment, physical pain, loss of mobility, emotional distress, and the loss of enjoyment of his cruise vacation.
Injured by a Slip and Fall on a Wet Cruise Ship Deck? Learn Your Rights
Cruise lines are required by maritime law to provide safe walkways and to inspect and maintain floors so they do not become unreasonably slippery. If you or a loved one suffered a slip and fall injury on a cruise ship, you may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Contact our cruise ship slip and fall attorneys today for a free consultation about your rights and options.
