Texas Resident Sues Carnival Cruise Line After Slip and Fall Near Ice Cream Machine on Carnival Breeze
Bernard Womack, a resident of Texas, has filed a maritime personal injury lawsuit against Carnival Corporation in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida. The lawsuit, filed under Case No. 1:26-cv-23279-RKA, alleges that Womack sustained severe and permanent injuries after slipping on a hazardous substance on the Lido Deck of the Carnival Breeze during a cruise departing from Galveston, Texas.
Cruise Passenger Injured on Carnival Breeze Lido Deck Due to Slippery Floor Near Self-Serve Ice Cream Station
According to the complaint, the incident occurred while Womack was a passenger on the Carnival Breeze. While walking in the Lido Deck Marketplace near the self-serve ice cream machine station, he encountered a hazardous and dangerous condition on the flooring surface. The lawsuit states that Womack had just walked through automated doors from the outside when he slipped and fell on a wet, slimy, slippery, and transitory substance that had accumulated on the deck. The complaint asserts that the dangerous condition was not open or obvious to a reasonable passenger because the slippery substance was not visually conspicuous and did not contrast with the flooring material. Womack claims that no warning signs were posted in the area to alert passengers to the slipping hazard.
Carnival Accused of Failing to Warn Passengers of High-Risk Slip and Fall Areas on Lido Deck
The lawsuit brings a count of negligent failure to warn against Carnival, asserting that the cruise line owed passengers a duty of reasonable care under the circumstances. Womack alleges that Carnival knew or should have known that wet, slippery, or transitory substances frequently develop in high-traffic buffet and beverage service areas on the Lido Deck. The legal team argues that the cruise line breached its duty by failing to place warning signs, stickers, or lights near the ice cream station, and failed to incorporate warnings about slip and fall risks in daily ship materials, mobile applications, or safety brochures. The plaintiff claims that if proper visual or audible warnings had been provided, he would have taken extra precautions or avoided the area entirely.
Complaint Cites Numerous Prior Slip and Fall Incidents on Carnival Vessels as Evidence of Notice
To establish that the cruise line had actual or constructive notice of the hazardous conditions, the complaint references an extensive list of prior slip and fall lawsuits filed against Carnival Corporation. Womack’s legal team identifies dozens of similar incidents occurring under similar circumstances across the Carnival fleet, including prior accidents on the Carnival Breeze, Carnival Vista, Carnival Horizon, Carnival Panorama, Carnival Sunrise, Carnival Radiance, Carnival Pride, Carnival Magic, Carnival Sensation, Carnival Glory, Carnival Freedom, and Carnival Liberty. The complaint also highlights an internal Carnival safety graphic identifying the open decks, atrium lobbies, public restrooms, cabin bathrooms, and both inside and outside Lido dining areas as the specific locations where passengers face the highest risk of experiencing slips and falls.
Lawsuit Alleges Negligent Maintenance and Inspection Failures in High-Traffic Buffet and Beverage Zones
In addition to the failure to warn, the complaint includes counts for negligent failure to maintain and negligent failure to inspect. Womack alleges that Carnival failed to reasonably monitor the Lido Deck Marketplace and did not implement adequate procedures for inspecting the area with enough frequency to discover slip resistance issues or liquid accumulations. The lawsuit further contends that despite knowing the high-traffic beverage zone was prone to becoming dangerously slippery, Carnival failed to place or maintain slip-resistant mats, non-skid flooring, or other safety materials near the self-serve ice cream station to protect passengers from foreseeable harm.
Plaintiff Seeks Compensation for Surgical Leg and Back Injuries, Medical Expenses, and Lost Earnings
As a direct result of the slip and fall accident, Womack allegedly sustained severe injuries to his left leg and lower back, which ultimately required surgical intervention. The lawsuit states that these injuries will continue to require medical treatment and nursing care into the future. Womack is seeking compensatory damages in excess of seventy-five thousand dollars for physical pain and suffering, mental anguish, disability, disfigurement, loss of capacity for the enjoyment of life, loss of earnings, diminished earning capacity, and the loss of the overall value of his cruise vacation. The plaintiff has demanded a trial by jury to resolve the matter.
Contact a Cruise Ship Lido Deck Injury Lawyer Today if You Were Hurt in a Slippery Buffet Area Accident
Cruise passengers who suffer injuries due to wet floors, spilled liquids, or unaddressed hazards in dining and beverage areas may be entitled to financial compensation under maritime law. Cruise operators have a strict legal obligation to maintain passenger-accessible decks in a reasonably safe condition and to perform routine inspections to eliminate slipping hazards. If you or a loved one experienced a similar slip and fall accident while on a cruise, contact our team of experienced maritime injury lawyers today to discuss your rights and discover your available legal avenues.
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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.
