South Carolina Resident Sues Carnival Cruise Line After Slipping on Unreasonably Slippery Exterior Staircase Aboard Carnival Paradise
Beverly Doherty, a resident of South Carolina, has initiated a maritime personal injury lawsuit against Carnival Corporation in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida. The complaint, filed under Case No. 1:26-cv-23254-DSL, alleges that Doherty suffered severe and permanent injuries after slipping on a wet and hazardous exterior staircase while sailing as a passenger aboard the Carnival Paradise on May 12, 2025.
Cruise Passenger Sustains Shoulder Fracture on Carnival Paradise Due to Wet and Slippery Lido Deck Stairs
According to the legal filing, the incident occurred while Doherty was descending an exterior staircase located on the Lido Deck of the vessel. The lawsuit claims that the steps were in an unreasonably slippery condition due to moisture and a lack of adequate slip-resistant properties. As Doherty traversed the staircase, she slipped and fell to the deck below. The fall resulted in serious physical trauma, specifically identified in the complaint as fractures to her right shoulder and humerus. The plaintiff asserts that the staircase was located in a high-traffic area regularly exposed to moisture from the surrounding pool and deck areas. Despite the foreseeable risk of water being tracked onto the stairs, the lawsuit alleges that Carnival failed to ensure the walking surface remained safe for passenger use.
Carnival Corporation Accused of Ignoring Industry Safety Standards for Slip Resistance on Maritime Vessels
The lawsuit highlights that various safety agencies, including ASTM International and the American National Standards Institute, have established specific safety standards for stairways and walking surfaces exposed to moisture. These standards dictate the use of slip-resistant materials and baseline coefficient-of-friction values to prevent passenger falls. The complaint alleges that Carnival was noncompliant with these industry benchmarks, specifically citing violations of ASTM F1166-07 and ASTM F1637-13. By failing to meet these established safety protocols, the plaintiff argues that Carnival allowed a dangerous condition to persist in an area where crew members were stationed and actively observing passengers utilizing the staircase under wet conditions.
Complaint Cites Numerous Prior Slip and Fall Incidents on Carnival Vessels as Evidence of Constructive Notice
A central component of the legal action is the allegation that Carnival had actual or constructive notice of the hazardous nature of its exterior staircases. To support this claim, the plaintiff’s legal team identified a significant history of similar incidents across the Carnival fleet. The complaint lists over ten specific prior lawsuits involving passengers who slipped and fell on wet stairs aboard various ships, including the Carnival Venezia, Carnival Liberty, Carnival Breeze, Carnival Horizon, Carnival Glory, Carnival Magic, Carnival Celebration, Carnival Mardi Gras, and Carnival Panorama. These prior cases, spanning from 2022 to 2025, are presented to demonstrate that the cruise line was well aware of the systemic risk posed by its staircase designs and maintenance procedures but failed to implement necessary corrective measures to protect passengers like Doherty.
Plaintiff Seeks Compensation for Permanent Disability and Medical Expenses Following Negligent Maintenance and Failure to Warn
Doherty has brought two counts of negligence against the cruise line: negligent maintenance and negligent failure to warn. The lawsuit contends that Carnival breached its duty of reasonable care by failing to provide adequate non-skid surfacing, failing to conduct timely inspections, and failing to warn passengers of the slippery steps through visible signage or verbal instructions. As a direct result of this alleged negligence, Doherty claims she has suffered and will continue to suffer from physical pain, mental anguish, permanent disability, and a loss of the capacity to enjoy life. Additionally, the suit seeks damages for past and future medical expenses, as well as lost earnings and diminished earning capacity.
Contact a Cruise Ship Staircase Injury Lawyer Today if You Were Injured in a Slip and Fall Accident
Cruise passengers who suffer injuries due to slippery decks, poorly maintained staircases, or a lack of warning signs may be entitled to significant compensation under maritime law. Cruise operators are legally required to maintain their vessels in a reasonably safe condition and to alert travelers to hazards that are not open or obvious. If you or a loved one has experienced a similar injury while on a cruise, contacting an experienced maritime attorney is the first step in protecting your rights and seeking the recovery you deserve.
Contact us now to speak with a cruise ship slip and fall 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.
