Major Cruise Line Ordered to Pay $350,000 for Slip and Fall in Florida

In late September of 2025, the Tampa Bay Times reported that a major cruise line had lost a slip-and-fall lawsuit in Florida. The company will now have to pay the victim $350,000 in damages. Although slip-and-fall lawsuits rarely go to trial, this is a notable example of what might happen if you decide to take a cruise line to court. If you were injured on a cruise ship, you might want to speak with a Boca Raton slip-and-fall attorney.

Woman Suffers Fractured Arm, Dislocated Shoulder, and Rotator Cuff Tears After Fall

In May of 2023, a woman was walking down a hallway on a cruise ship. When she tried to walk through a doorway, her foot became caught in a gap between the threshold and the carpet. These thresholds are common on cruise ships, although regulations state that they must be securely attached to the floors. This was not the case in this specific situation, and the presence of a gap caused the woman to fall.

She extended her arm in an attempt to cushion the impact with the ground, ultimately breaking her arm, dislocating her shoulder, and tearing her rotator cuff in two places. She also struck her forehead on the ground.

When the plaintiff tried to recover compensation for her fall, she was met with stiff opposition from the cruise line’s attorneys. They stubbornly refused to settle, arguing that the plaintiff’s negligence was the sole cause of her injuries. They also claimed that the hazard posed by the threshold gap was “obvious” and the plaintiff should have noticed this hazard “through the use of her own senses.”

With no other option, the plaintiff took the cruise line to court. The defense failed to convince the judge, who concluded that the plaintiff “undoubtedly” deserved to receive at least some compensation for her injuries. These injuries were both severe and clearly legitimate. That being said, it is worth noting that the plaintiff initially sought damages of almost $14 million, much less than the $350,000 she received.

It is not clear why the cruise line decided to take this matter to court, or why they felt so confident about their chances of victory. Over 90% of civil claims are settled by defendants and plaintiffs outside of court, and this is certainly the norm as far as cruise ship lawsuits go.

Can a Cruise Ship Accident Lawyer in Boca Raton Help Me?

The recent $350,000 verdict shows that cruise lines in Florida do face accountability for contributing to needless slips and falls. If you slipped and fell while on a cruise ship, you may be able to pursue similar results. These goals might be easier to achieve if you work with a lawyer who has direct experience with cruise ship accident lawsuits in Boca Raton. Steinberg Law has this level of experience, so contact us today to learn more about your options.

Source:

tampabay.com/news/florida/2025/09/27/miami-carnival-cruise-ship-fall-lawsuit-verdict/