South Carolina Woman Sues Carnival Cruise Line After Slip and Fall on Lido Deck of Carnival Sunrise
Stephanie Washington, a resident of South Carolina, has filed a maritime personal injury lawsuit against Carnival Corporation in the Southern District of Florida. The lawsuit, filed under Case No. 1:25-cv-25798, alleges that Washington suffered serious and permanent injuries after slipping on a dangerously slippery surface on the Lido Deck of the Carnival Sunrise on December 14, 2024.
Cruise Passenger Injured After Slipping on Wet and Slippery Lido Deck Flooring Near Towel Station
According to the complaint, Washington was a fare-paying passenger aboard the Carnival Sunrise when the incident occurred in the early evening hours. While walking carefully along the Lido Deck near a towel station, she allegedly slipped on a transitory slippery substance that blended into the surrounding deck surface and was difficult to detect. The area was a high-traffic passenger location, yet the floor allegedly became unreasonably slippery when wet and lacked adequate safeguards to protect passengers from fall hazards. Washington contends that she had no warning of the dangerous condition and no reason to anticipate the risk before she fell.
Lawsuit Claims Carnival Failed to Warn or Remedy Known Slip Hazards on Carnival Sunrise
The lawsuit alleges that Carnival either knew or should have known about the dangerous condition before Washington’s fall. The complaint states that multiple Carnival crew members were positioned within close proximity to the exact location of the incident, including staff working at the nearby towel station and elevator area. These crew members allegedly had a direct line of sight to the hazardous condition but failed to warn passengers, block off the area, or take steps to remedy the slippery surface. Washington maintains that the hazard existed for a sufficient period of time to allow Carnival to discover and correct it through reasonable inspection and maintenance practices required by its own policies.
Plaintiff Alleges Defective and Unreasonably Slippery Deck Flooring Violated Industry Safety Standards
In addition to operational failures, the lawsuit asserts that the deck flooring itself was defectively designed, installed, and approved by Carnival. Washington alleges that the surface material used on the Lido Deck did not meet accepted industry standards for slip resistance and coefficient of friction, particularly when wet. The complaint references established safety guidelines and standards governing shipboard walking surfaces, asserting that the flooring fell below minimum thresholds intended to prevent passenger slips and falls. Carnival is accused of selecting and approving materials that were unreasonably dangerous for use in a high-traffic outdoor deck area exposed to moisture and maritime conditions.
Carnival Accused of Ignoring Prior Slip and Fall Incidents on Similar Ships and Deck Surfaces
The complaint further alleges that Carnival had notice of the dangers associated with similar deck surfaces based on prior passenger slip and fall incidents across its fleet. Washington’s legal team cites multiple lawsuits involving similar accidents on Lido Decks aboard other Carnival vessels, arguing that these prior cases put the cruise line on notice of recurring safety issues involving slippery deck materials. Despite this alleged history, Carnival is accused of continuing to install, maintain, and refurbish ships with the same flooring materials without implementing adequate corrective measures.
Passenger Seeks Damages for Traumatic Head Injury, Chronic Pain, and Loss of Cruise Value
Washington asserts that the fall caused severe injuries, including a traumatic head injury, neck injuries, nerve damage, chronic pain, and lasting loss of mobility and range of motion. She claims that these injuries are permanent or continuing in nature and have significantly impacted her quality of life. The lawsuit brings multiple negligence claims against Carnival, including negligent failure to maintain, negligent failure to warn, negligent design and installation, and vicarious liability for the actions of its crew and employees. Washington seeks damages for medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost wages, diminished earning capacity, emotional distress, and the loss of value of her cruise and related travel expenses.
Speak With a Cruise Ship Slip and Fall Lawyer if You Were Injured on a Dangerous Deck Surface
Cruise passengers injured in slip and fall accidents on wet or slippery deck surfaces may have legal rights under maritime law. Cruise lines like Carnival have a duty to design, maintain, and supervise passenger areas in a reasonably safe condition, particularly on outdoor decks where moisture and heavy foot traffic are foreseeable. If you or a loved one was injured in a cruise ship slip and fall accident involving unsafe flooring or a lack of warnings, you may wish to speak with an experienced maritime injury attorney to learn more about your options.
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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.
