United States Resident Sues Royal Caribbean After Tripping on Metal Threshold Aboard Enchantment of the Seas
Deborah Scott, a resident of the United States, 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-20520-PCH, alleges that Scott suffered severe and permanent spinal injuries after tripping over a dangerous metal threshold in her cabin bathroom while the Enchantment of the Seas was underway on March 7, 2025.
Cruise Passenger Injured on Enchantment of the Seas Due to Dangerous Metal Shower Threshold in Cabin Bathroom
According to the complaint, the incident occurred while Scott was a fare paying passenger on a five day cruise that departed from the Port of Tampa Bay. While attempting to use the restroom in her assigned cabin, number 3118, the movement of the vessel caused her to lose her balance. The lawsuit alleges that she subsequently tripped and fell over a raised metal bar or threshold, approximately two inches in height, located at the entrance to the shower area. Scott asserts that this metal protrusion constituted an unreasonable risk of harm and a tripping hazard, particularly when considering the foreseeable motion of a cruise ship at sea. The fall resulted in immediate and debilitating pain, requiring the passenger to seek wheelchair assistance for transport to the ship’s medical facility.
Royal Caribbean Accused of Negligent Cabin Design and Failure to Warn of Hazardous Bathroom Protrusions
The lawsuit alleges that Royal Caribbean breached its duty of reasonable care by failing to provide safe accommodations and neglecting to eliminate known tripping hazards. Scott’s legal team argues that the cruise line was negligent in the design and maintenance of the cabin bathroom by installing a rigid metal barrier in a confined space where passengers are often barefoot or in socks. The complaint states that the dangerous condition was not open or obvious to the passenger, especially given the lighting conditions and the distraction caused by the ship’s movement. Furthermore, the plaintiff alleges that Royal Caribbean failed to provide any visual cues, such as contrasting colors or warning signs, to alert passengers to the presence of the protruding metal bar.
Complaint Alleges Medical Negligence and Failure to Properly Evaluate Spinal Injury Onboard Vessel
In addition to the allegations regarding the physical hazard, the complaint highlights issues with the medical care provided onboard the Enchantment of the Seas. After the fall, Scott underwent x-rays of her lumbar spine in the ship’s medical center, but the lawsuit claims these images were of poor diagnostic quality and insufficient to properly evaluate the extent of her trauma. The ship’s physician, Dr. Mohamed Elsayyad, reportedly prescribed pain medication and advised the plaintiff to remain in a wheelchair until disembarkation. It was not until Scott sought emergency treatment at HCA Florida West Marion Hospital on March 11, 2025, that she was diagnosed with a closed wedge compression fracture of her T12 vertebra.
Plaintiff Seeks Damages for Permanent Back Injury and Medical Expenses Due to Royal Caribbean Negligence
Scott brings a count of negligence against Royal Caribbean, asserting that the company is vicariously liable for the acts of its employees and contractors. The lawsuit claims that the cruise line prioritized cost savings and uniform design over passenger safety by failing to implement safer alternatives, such as flush or beveled shower thresholds. As a direct result of the fall, Scott claims to have suffered bodily injuries, mental anguish, lost capacity for enjoyment of life, and significant medical expenses. The complaint also alleges that Royal Caribbean failed to preserve the subject metal threshold in its post incident condition, instead removing and replacing it after the fall, which the plaintiff argues is an acknowledgment of the hazardous nature of the fixture.
Contact a Cruise Ship Cabin Injury Lawyer Today if You Were Hurt by a Dangerous Condition Onboard
Cruise passengers who suffer injuries due to poorly designed cabin fixtures, hidden tripping hazards, or inadequate medical care may be entitled to compensation under maritime law. Royal Caribbean and other major cruise lines have a legal obligation to maintain their vessels in a reasonably safe condition for all travelers. If you or a loved one experienced a serious injury while on a cruise, such as a fall in a cabin bathroom or a fracture caused by vessel motion, contact our team of experienced maritime injury lawyers today. We are dedicated to helping victims navigate the complexities of maritime litigation and hold cruise lines accountable for negligence.
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.
