Texas Passenger Sues Royal Caribbean After Slip and Fall on Wet Floor in Central Park Aboard Harmony of the Seas
Monica Finberg, a resident of Texas, has filed a maritime personal injury lawsuit against Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. in the Southern District of Florida. The lawsuit, filed under Case No. 1:26-cv-25396-RAR, alleges that Finberg suffered severe and permanent injuries after slipping and falling on a wet and hazardous walkway in the Central Park neighborhood of the Harmony of the Seas on December 17, 2025.
Cruise Passenger Injured in Central Park on Harmony of the Seas Due to Slippery Flooring and Lack of Warning Signs
According to the complaint, Finberg was a fare-paying passenger walking through the outdoor Central Park neighborhood on Deck 8 when she suddenly slipped and fell on a foreign, wet, or transitory substance. The presence of the liquid created an unreasonably slick and dangerous walking surface. The lawsuit asserts that the hazard was not open or obvious to passengers and that Finberg had no advance warning of the danger. Despite internal safety management system policies designed to mandate prompt cleanup, regular inspection, and hazard containment, Royal Caribbean allegedly failed to post warning cones, erect caution signs, deploy anti-slip mats, or block off the contaminated walkway to protect guests from harm.
Royal Caribbean Accused of Notice After Multiple Prior Slip and Fall Incidents on Deck 8 Walkways
The complaint alleges that Royal Caribbean possessed both actual and constructive knowledge of the dangerous conditions on the ship. Finberg contends that crew members were standing in close proximity to the area and were tasked with monitoring the deck for hazards, yet failed to intervene or clean up the spill. Furthermore, the substance appeared dirty, indicating that it had been present on the deck floor for a sufficient period of time for staff to notice and correct it. The area was also under continuous surveillance by onboard security cameras.
To demonstrate that the cruise line was fully aware of the ongoing slip hazard in this specific area, the lawsuit details numerous prior federal lawsuits filed in the Southern District of Florida involving passengers slipping and falling on identical or substantially similar flooring in Central Park. These referenced cases include Jaimie Lewis v. RCCL, Ruben Gerrardo v. RCCL, Robert A. Broussard v. RCCL, and Rosa Couto v. RCCL aboard the Harmony of the Seas, as well as Lindemere Richard Bernhardt v. RCCL on the Oasis of the Seas, Richard Horn v. RCCL on the Allure of the Seas, and Kelly Araujo v. RCCL on the Wonder of the Seas. The legal filing argues that these repeated incidents placed the cruise operator on clear notice that the Deck 8 flooring material becomes dangerously slick when exposed to moisture or liquid contaminants.
Complaint Asserts Inadequate Maintenance, Deficient Coefficient of Friction, and Negligent Failure to Inspect
Beyond the failure to address the immediate spill, the lawsuit claims that Royal Caribbean failed to maintain safe flooring throughout the vessel’s high-traffic public areas. The complaint alleges that the cruise line directly participated in and approved the design and material selection for exterior spaces, including setting internal standards for slip resistance and coefficient of friction. Finberg alleges that the cruise line failed to regularly test and maintain adequate friction levels on Deck 8, failed to apply non-skid treatments, and neglected to enforce effective inspection intervals. By allowing the walkway to remain open without proper slip-resistant coatings or protective floor coverings, Royal Caribbean allegedly exposed passengers to foreseeable risks of severe physical injury.
Lawsuit Seeks Damages for Permanent Disability, Medical Treatment, and Lost Vacation Value
Finberg brings three formal counts of negligence against Royal Caribbean: negligent failure to maintain, negligent failure to warn, and general negligence. The complaint states that the cruise line breached its legal duty under general maritime law to exercise reasonable care under the circumstances. As a direct result of the fall, Finberg allegedly suffered severe injuries to her body and extremities, physical disability, disfigurement, mental anguish, physical pain and suffering, and the aggravation of pre-existing conditions. The complaint further states that her working ability has been impaired and that her injuries are permanent and continuing. In addition to seeking compensation for past and future medical expenses, Finberg is pursuing damages for the lost value of her cruise vacation and associated travel costs.
Contact a Cruise Ship Slip and Fall Lawyer Today if You Were Injured on a Vessel
Cruise passengers who sustain injuries due to wet walkways, inadequate floor maintenance, or lack of warning signs on cruise ships may have the right to seek financial recovery under maritime law. Major cruise operators have a legal duty to monitor public spaces, promptly remedy slip hazards, and warn guests of dangerous conditions. If you or a loved one suffered an injury aboard a cruise vessel, speak with an experienced maritime personal injury attorney to evaluate your legal claims 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.
