Texas Woman Sues Carnival Cruise Line After Slipping on Wet Lido Deck Substance Aboard Carnival Breeze
Tomika Cains, 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-22430-JB, alleges that Cains suffered serious and permanent injuries after slipping on a hazardous transitory substance while walking on the Lido Deck of the Carnival Breeze on February 9, 2025. The incident occurred during a Superbowl cruise departing from Galveston, Texas.
Cruise Passenger Injured on Carnival Breeze Lido Deck Due to Slippery Puddle Near Pizzeria Dining Area
According to the complaint, Cains was walking through the Lido Deck area, a location where passengers are reasonably expected to travel. As she exited the automated doors leading from the Lido Marketplace to the outside deck between the port side of the vessel and the Pizzeria dining area, she slipped and fell on a puddle of water or a slippery transitory substance. The lawsuit asserts that the hazardous condition was not open or obvious to a reasonable passenger because the substance was not visually conspicuous and did not contrast with the flooring material. Additionally, the automated doors obstructed the view of the deck until Cains was close enough for them to open, leaving her no time to perceive the danger.
Carnival Accused of Having Actual and Constructive Notice of Dangerous Flooring Conditions Through Prior Incidents
The legal team for Cains alleges that Carnival had both actual and constructive knowledge of the unsafe conditions on its decks. The complaint highlights that a crew member was stationed and actively working in the immediate area where the fall occurred, yet failed to remedy the hazard or provide any warnings. Furthermore, the lawsuit cites an extensive history of nearly thirty prior slip and fall incidents involving wet or slippery substances on the Lido Decks of various Carnival vessels, including the Carnival Vista, Carnival Horizon, and the Carnival Breeze itself. These prior cases, such as Lawing v. Carnival Corporation and Peace v. Carnival Corp, are presented as evidence that the cruise line was well aware of recurring hazards in high-traffic food and drink service areas but failed to implement necessary safety measures.
Complaint Alleges Failure to Warn and Negligent Maintenance of Known High Risk Slip and Fall Areas
Cains alleges that Carnival was negligent in its failure to warn passengers of the risks associated with the Lido Deck. The lawsuit points to internal Carnival training materials that explicitly identify “Open Decks” and “Lido Dining” areas as the locations with the most potential for slips and falls. Despite identifying these as high-risk zones, the cruise line allegedly failed to place warning signs, cones, or barriers in the area. The complaint further argues that Carnival breached its duty of care by failing to monitor and maintain the deck surface, allowing a slippery substance to accumulate in a high-traffic walkway. Cains asserts that the cruise line should have utilized non-skid materials, regular drying procedures, or safety audits to ensure the walkway remained safe for fare-paying passengers.
Plaintiff Seeks Damages for Permanent Knee and Shoulder Injuries Following Carnival Cruise Negligence
The lawsuit brings two primary counts against Carnival: negligent failure to warn and general negligence. Cains claims that as a direct result of the fall, she sustained significant injuries to her right knee, right shoulder, and other parts of her body. These injuries have required medical treatment and are expected to continue into the future. The complaint seeks compensatory damages in excess of $75,000 for pain and suffering, disability, mental anguish, loss of capacity for the enjoyment of life, medical expenses, and the lost value of her cruise vacation. Cains contends that had Carnival acted with reasonable care by either warning of the hazard or maintaining a dry deck, her injuries could have been avoided entirely.
Contact a Cruise Ship Lido Deck Injury Lawyer Today if You Suffered a Slip and Fall Incident
Cruise passengers who suffer injuries due to slippery deck surfaces, lack of warning signs, or improper maintenance of high-traffic dining areas may be entitled to compensation under maritime law. Cruise lines like Carnival have a strict legal obligation to maintain their vessels in a reasonably safe condition and to provide adequate warnings of known hazards to their passengers. If you or a loved one was injured in a slip and fall accident while on a cruise, contact our team of experienced maritime injury lawyers today. We are dedicated to helping victims understand their rights and pursue the justice they deserve.
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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.
