Cruise Ship Slip and Fall Accidents

Each day, thousands of people travel to the Port of Miami to board cruise ships for what they hope is a vacation of a lifetime. The last thing anyone wants to experience is a serious slip and fall injury. Although it is impossible to keep every cruise ship passenger happy, cruise lines are responsible for the safety of their guests. Recently, two women have filed lawsuits against Carnival Cruise Lines, alleging the company’s negligence caused their slip and fall accidents. Felicia Ward and Melissa Nini both filed complaints on December 5 in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida.

Nini claims she suffered injuries from a slip and fall on October 12 after tripping on a puddle of water on the floor. She claims Carnival employees knowingly created a dangerous situation and did not properly warn passengers. Nini has requested a trial by jury and is seeking damages, interest and all legal fees along with any other relief deemed by the court.

Ward’s complaint stems from slip and fall accident she suffered aboard Carnival’s Valor cruise ship back on August 20. She claims the company failed to place slip-resistant materials on the ship’s floor and stairs.  Ward also claims the ship’s employees failed to remove water from the floor and did not properly warn passengers of the the slippery conditions. She is suing for damages in excess of $75,000.

Cruise Ships and Premises Liability

The Carnival lawsuits encompass numerous areas of personal injury law. First, the company is accused of failing to provide a safe environment for its passengers, which would qualify as premises liability. Both passengers suffered slip and falls, which is one of the most common types of personal injury cases. Under Florida law the plaintiffs would have to prove Carnival was negligent. However, many of these laws change once a person boards a cruise ship. Here is why.

  • Almost all cruise ships are registered in a country outside the United States
  • Most cruises travel in international waters not governed by U.S. law
  • If an incident occurs between two people from separate countries aboard ship registered in a third country, they are bound by International Maritime Law.

Related News:

Man Sues Carnival Cruise Lines one Year After His Wife’s Death

It hasn’t been easy for Broberg, whose wife fell overboard from a cruise ship about a year ago. Karl came to his senses and decided file a federal lawsuit against Carnival Cruise Lines. While it’s true no amount of money can bring back a loved one, it’s also true that children and family can benefit from this monetary compensation during the time of grieving. Also, the guilty parties should be held responsible for creating an unsafe environment.

The accident

Samantha, a mother to four children, was reported missing in the Carnival Liberty back in 2016. The Coast Guard conducted a 20-hour search but nothing was found. Surprisingly, the trip was not suspended after she disappeared but rather continue as usual and returned on the scheduled day. Apparently, the ship was not equipped to alert when she fell off the rail. If the automatic man overboard system had been in place to alert about the accident chances are she could have been saved.

The lawsuit

Almost a year after, Samantha’s husband has filed a federal lawsuit against Carnival Cruise Lines requesting compensation for the surviving family, including her four children. Apparently, the ship had numerous surveillance cameras that captured her fall. However, these devices didn’t alert crew members about the accident. The suit alleges that the search started only after a friend had reported her missing. About 15 hours had passed before they actually started looking for her. There are other allegations such as serving too many alcoholic beverages, not being escorted to the cabin, and the way deck furniture was arranged. Also, Karl says there was not good communication between him and officials after he learned about her disappearance. It’s a tragic incident that has caused much suffering to her husband and children, which entitles them to compensation.

How a Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help

Many slip and fall accident victims do not properly know their rights. They often make mistakes, such as failing to immediately seek treatment to document their injuries. Another common mistake is not taking any pictures or video of the accident scene to provide visual evidence.  The legal team at Neufeld & Kleinberg, PA. has successfully represented countless men and women from throughout Miami-Dade and Broward Counties for various personal injury cases. They utilize an aggressive and comprehensive approach to ensure accident victims receive the proper compensation they deserve to account for their medical expenses, damages, lost wages along with pain and suffering.  To learn more on how a personal injury lawyer can help, contact the law offices at Neufeld & Kleinberg, PA today to schedule a consultation to discuss your case.

Note: This article is intended for informational purposes only. Our dedicated team compiles accident news reports using a variety of trusted external sources, such as local news outlets, official police reports, social media updates, and eyewitness statements regarding incidents in Florida. While we strive for accuracy, the facts in this post have not been independently verified by our writers. If you identify any inaccuracies, please contact Neufeld & Kleinfeld, PA, immediately, and we will promptly address any corrections. Posts can also be removed upon request.

Disclaimer: This post is not intended as a business solicitation. The information provided should not be interpreted as medical or legal advice. Additionally, the photo accompanying this post does not depict the accident scene described in this post.

Previous PostNext Post

Over 100 Years of Combined Personal Injury Experience in Florida

Start My Claim (305) 931-6666

Reviews

Quote Quote

You Only Pay Legal Fees if We Win a Settlement

Neufeld & Kleinberg, PA handles a variety of personal-injury cases. We understand that you are concerned about getting healthy, getting back to work, paying your bills and of course, being fully compensated for your loss. Contact us to start the path to wholeness from your injury today.

Get Consultation
  • NEVER Pay A Fee Unless We Win Your Case

  • Highly Experienced & Professional Representationur

  • Start Your Claim Off With A FREE Case Evaluation

  • Get Back To NORMAL... As Soon As Possible

Request a Free Consultation

All Consultations Are Free of Charge

Hidden
Hidden
Hidden
Hidden
Hidden
Hidden
Hidden
Hidden
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Helping those Injured in Accidents Across Florida

While we are proud to call Miami and Aventura home, we are also more than happy to help injured people living anywhere in the Sunshine State. In fact, we’ve even been known to travel all around the country just to meet our clients’ needs.

We are here to help the residents of:

Recent Articles from the Blog

Ocala, FL - Woman Loses Life in Crash on 73rd St near SR-200

Ocala, FL – Woman Loses Life in Crash on 73rd St near SR-200

Ocala, FL (December 11, 2024) – The Florida Highway Patrol reports a fatal accident happened in Ocala on Wednesday morning, December...

Read More..
Brevard Co., FL - Semi-Truck Crash on I-95 near Ellis Rd

Brevard Co., FL – Semi-Truck Crash on I-95 near Ellis Rd

Brevard Co., FL (December 11, 2024) – Police in Brevard County are currently investigating a fatal traffic accident. It happened at...

Read More..
Miami, FL - Pedestrian Injured in Collision on 22nd Ave near 1st St

Miami, FL – Pedestrian Injured in Collision on 22nd Ave near 1st St

Miami, FL (December 10, 2024) – A pedestrian was injured in a traffic accident in Miami on December 10. Responders were sent to the...

Read More..
Mims, FL - One Killed, One Hurt in Wreck on US Hwy 1 near Montgomery Rd

Mims, FL – One Killed, One Hurt in Wreck on US Hwy 1 near Montgomery Rd

Mims, FL (December 10, 2024) – One man lost his life and a woman was seriously hurt on Tuesday, December 10, in a traffic accident in...

Read More..
Miami, FL - S Miami Ave Scene of Traffic Accident with Injuries

Miami, FL – S Miami Ave Scene of Traffic Accident with Injuries

Miami, FL (December 9, 2024) – At approximately 9:55 p.m., on December 7, a traffic accident with injuries occurred in Miami. Reports...

Read More..
Miami, FL - Pedestrian Hurt in Collision on 22nd Ave near 1st St

Miami, FL – Pedestrian Hurt in Collision on 22nd Ave near 1st St

Miami, FL (December 9, 2024) – A traffic accident in Miami involving a pedestrian ended in injuries on December 8. At approximately 1:33...

Read More..