Can I Sue for Burnt Feet from Hot Deck on a Cruise Ship?

Stepping onto the sun-soaked upper deck of a Royal Caribbean Cruise Line or Norwegian Cruise Line ship expecting a relaxing day by the pool, only to suffer painful second-degree or third-degree burns on your feet from a scorching-hot deck is a reality that cruise passengers have experienced time and time again without adequate correction from the cruise line. If you are wondering, “Can I sue if I burned my feet on a hot deck of a cruise ship?” The answer is yes. This hidden hazard, often caused by synthetic deck materials like Bolidt is a serious issue on many cruise ships that has led to serious injuries time and time again. Yet the cruise lines are seemingly not doing much, if anything at all, to prevent it from happening. At Perkins Personal Injury Lawyers, our dedicated cruise ship injury attorney, Alex Perkins, is committed to holding cruise lines accountable for burn injuries caused by cruise line negligence, including burns aboard cruises from hot decks. If you’ve suffered severe burns due to a hot deck on a cruise ship, our Miami cruise ship lawyer can help you pursue a Royal Caribbean lawsuit, Celebrity Cruises or Norwegian Cruise Line lawsuit to secure the compensation you deserve for burn injuries. We can bring claims against any major cruise line for burnt feet from hot decks should you be a victim of this unspoken danger.

The Unspoken Danger of Hot Cruise Ship Decks

Cruise ship upper decks, home to pools, hot tubs, observation areas, designated smoking areas and sun loungers, are often covered with synthetic materials like Bolidt designed to resemble teak wood while enduring harsh marine environments. These surfaces, while durable, absorb intense sunlight, especially in tropical regions like the Caribbean, reaching temperatures that can cause severe burns when passengers walk barefoot—a common practice near pools that the cruise line should foresee would happen.  Why doesn’t the cruise line warn passengers of this hidden danger? It seems like there should be some simple things the cruise line couls do to fix the problem or at least warn passengers to always wear flip flops or shoes even when lounging at the pool.

Second-degree burns penetrate deeper skin layers, causing blisters and severe pain, while third-degree burns can destroy nerves, requiring surgical intervention. Passengers with pre-existing conditions, such as diabetes, face heightened risks due to complications in healing. Cruise lines like Celebrity, Royal Caribbean, Carnival and Norwegian are aware of the heat risks posed by decking materials, in particular by Bolidt decking, but often fail to implement adequate safeguards, prioritizing aesthetics over passenger safety. Maybe they have done the math and the cost to replace or refinish the decks is much greater than the costs of paying claims and lawsuits. In other words, the cruise line chooses profit over people–even though they know people’s lives can be ruined from severe burns to the bottom of their feet. They would rather just eat litigation costs than solve the issue because its cheaper. Hiring a Miami cruise attorney to sue Royal Caribbean is unfortunately a step that injured passengers must take to get any form of justice and to hopefully motivate the cruise industry to make a change.

Cruise Lines’ Duty to Protect Passengers is Federal Law

Under federal maritime law, cruise lines are obligated to maintain their ships in a reasonably safe condition and ensure passengers’ safety throughout their journey. The U.S. Supreme Court in Kermarec v. Compagnie Generale Transatlantique (1959) established that shipowners must exercise “reasonable care under the circumstances” to protect passengers. This then includes ensuring deck surfaces, like those using Bolidt or other synthetics are safe from hazards such as excessive heat or slipperiness.

Cruise lines also have a duty to warn of known dangers that are not open and obvious. This duty to warn has long been a part general maritime and Florida law for decades. In Carroll v. Carnival Corp. (2017), a federal court again emphasized that cruise lines must alert passengers to hazards they know or should know about, which would include dangerously hot or slippery decks. Failure to provide warnings—through signs, announcements, or other measures—breaches this duty, making cruise lines liable for injuries.

In that case, a passenger tripped and fell over the leg of a lounge chair while she was walking through a narrow pathway on a Carnival cruise ship. She sued Carnival, alleging that it negligently failed to maintain a safe walkway and failed to warn her of that dangerous condition. The district court granted summary judgment in favor of Carnival on both claims, concluding that the condition was open and obvious and that Carnival lacked actual or constructive notice of the hazard. The appellate for the eleventh circuit reversed, in part explaining as it pertains to the duty to warn, even it the condition was open and obvious, that would only defeat the failure to warn claim, and would not bar the claim for negligently failing to maintain a safe walkway. In other words, even if the cruise line made an announcement in the morning over the loud speaker saying it was going to be a very hot day and the decks could get hot and passengers should wearing shoes, that would not totally absolve the cruise line from liability. It would rather go to a defense argument that the Plaintiff was on notice and was comparatively negligent for not wearing shoes, potentially reducing some liability for the cruise line but not alleviating the other remaining duty to maintain the ship in reasonably safe condition.

At Perkins Law Offices, we’ve successfully challenged cruise lines for neglecting these duties. For example, in a slip-and-fall case against Norwegian Cruise Line, cruise lawyer Alex Perkins handled discovery disputes involving a Bolidt flooring deck that was not properly maintained, leading to a hazardous condition where his client slipped and fell fracturing her hip on the lido deck. Court orders in that case MATZA v. NCL (BAHAMAS) LTD., issued on February 22 and February 27, 2013, compelled Norwegian to produce critical evidence of substantially similar incidents of slip and falls involving Bolidt flooring, and photographs of the actual incident area the cruise line took and refused to hand over of Bolidt flooring among other things. These rulings underscored that the condition of Bolidt decking—whether wet or improperly maintained—is central to proving negligence. Our experience with Bolidt hazards equips us to build robust cases for burn victims, demonstrating that cruise lines failed to maintain or warn about dangerously hot decks.

The duty to warn passengers of dangers like hot decks is clear cut in the law. There are so many things the ship could do to warn passengers about the danger to reduce the occurrence of these burn injuries. Simply making an announcement and having crew tell guests would easily prevent many instances remedy the problem without even having to get new decking materials. Warning signs on the decks alerting passengers their feet can get burned or the deck is hot or to wear shoes on hot deck. Any number or warnings could work along with having crew members verbally warn of the hot deck and to wear shoes. Why the cruise line doesn’t take simple steps like this is beyond me, but it keeps a cruise lawyers like me in business.

Burn Injuries and Treatment: From Ointments to Amputation

Burns from hot cruise ship decks can range from mild to life-altering, requiring a spectrum of treatments depending on severity:

  • Second-Degree Burns: These burns cause blisters and damage the outer and underlying skin layers. Treatment often involves cool compresses, antibiotic ointments like silver sulfadiazine to prevent infection, and over-the-counter pain relievers (e.g., ibuprofen) to manage discomfort. Healing typically takes 1-3 weeks, but deeper burns may require skin grafts to replace damaged tissue.
  • Third-Degree Burns: These destroy all skin layers, appearing white or charred and often requiring skin graftingor advanced treatments like synthetic skin substitutes (e.g., Biodegradable Temporizing Matrix). In severe cases, complications such as infections or poor healing may necessitate amputation, particularly in the feet.
  • Complications and Amputation: Burns on the feet, especially from hot surfaces like sand, coals, or decks, can lead to infections or tissue death. Johns Hopkins Medicine notes that severe burns can trigger complications like kidney failure, infections, or graft rejection, increasing the risk of amputation, particularly in patients with compromised healing.
  • Diabetic Complications: Passengers with diabetes or prediabetes face heightened risks. Peripheral neuropathy reduces foot sensation, delaying burn detection, while poor circulation impairs healing, increasing the likelihood of infections, ulcers, or amputations. Studies indicate a 25% lifetime risk of foot complications for diabetics, making deck burns especially dangerous.

Immediate cooling with water (not ice) for 10-15 minutes, followed by medical evaluation, is critical for burn treatment. Severe cases may require debridement (removal of dead tissue) or reconstructive surgery to restore function. We have seen passengers who sustain serious burns to the bottom of their feet that keep them sedentary for months, unable to walk and partake in normal activities of daily living.

Why Diabetics Face Greater Risks

Diabetic passengers are particularly vulnerable to deck burns due to vascular issues in the lower extremities. Reduced blood flow and nerve damage mean burns may go unnoticed until they worsen, leading to prolonged recovery or severe complications. Cruise lines’ failure to address hot deck hazards disproportionately endangers these passengers, turning minor injuries into major health crises. Mr. Perkins law partner had a case where the burn from the hot deck to a diabetic client led to amputation of the foot. Diabetics are at high risk for aggravated injuries from burnt feet caused by hot walking surfaces.

Cruise Lines’ Neglect and Simple Solutions

Cruise lines could prevent deck burn injuries with straightforward measures, yet many fail to act:

  • Warnings: Daily announcements, similar to those for ship activities, could remind passengers to wear footwear on upper decks during peak sun hours. Signs near pool areas could also highlight the risk of hot Bolidt surfaces. Crew members politely reminding passengers on pool decks should be standard.
  • Design Improvements: Heat-resistant coatings, shaded canopies, or non-slip, heat-reflective mats could reduce deck temperatures without sacrificing appearance.
  • Maintenance: Regular inspections and treatments of Bolidt decking, as highlighted in our Norwegian case, ensure surfaces remain safe under varying conditions.

Instead, cruise lines often rely on vague disclaimers in ticket contracts, attempting to shift responsibility to passengers. At Perkins Law Offices, we counter these defenses, proving that cruise line negligence caused your injuries.

Bolidt Decking on Cruise Ships

Bolidt a synthetic material used on many cruise ship decks, is prized for its durability and teak-like appearance but poses significant risks when overheated or poorly maintained. Articles on maritime industry websites note that Bolidt is widely used on Royal Caribbean and Norwegian ships for its resistance to wear and weather. However, its heat-absorbing properties can create dangerously hot surfaces, and improper maintenance can lead to slippery conditions, as seen in our Norwegian case.

Can I Sue for Burnt Feet from Hot Deck on a Cruise Ship?

Can I Sue for Burnt Feet from Hot Deck on a Cruise Ship?

How Much Is Your Burn Case Worth?

As a leading Miami cruise ship lawyer, Alex Perkins brings extensive experience in federal maritime law and cruise line litigation. Our firm’s victory in many injury and slip-and-fall cases, including where we compelled production of critical Bolidt-related evidence, demonstrates our skill in exposing cruise line negligence. We understand how cruise lines deflect blame, claiming hazards were “open and obvious” or invoking comparative negligence.

When you partner with Perkins Law Offices, we will:

  • Investigate Thoroughly: Gather maintenance records, witness statements, and expert testimony.
  • Prove Negligence: Show that the cruise line was on notice of the problem, and failed to maintain safe decks or warn of hot surfaces.
  • Maximize Compensation: Pursue damages for medical costs, pain and suffering, lost wages, and long-term care, especially for diabetic passengers.

Explore the best Miami Cruise Lawyer related resources on our website:

Frequently Asked Questions About Cruise Ship Injury Cases

  1. What is the statute of limitations for a cruise ship injury lawsuit?
    Most claims have a one-year statute of limitations, per the passenger ticket contract, with a six-month or 180 day or 185 day notice requirement. Act promptly to protect your rights.
  2. Where must I file my lawsuit?
    Cruise lines like Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Carnival, and Norwegian require lawsuits to be filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida in Miami, even for injuries in international waters.
  3. Can I sue for injuries in international waters?
    Yes, federal maritime law applies, allowing lawsuits for negligence, typically filed in Miami, in federal court per the ticket contract. US general maritime law will apply to most cruise actions involving a voyage that touched a US port.
  4. What if I was partly at fault?
    Maritime law’s comparative negligence allows recovery even if you were partially responsible (e.g., not paying attention to your surroundings when you slipped and fell ), though damages may be reduced. We minimize blame placed on you.
  5. How do I prove cruise line negligence?
    We demonstrate the cruise line’s failure to maintain safe decks or warn of hazards, using records, expert testimony, and prior incidents to show the cruise line was on notice of the danger and failed to take steps to correct it.

Contact Perkins Law Offices Today

If you’ve suffered burns from a hot cruise ship deck, don’t let cruise line negligence go unchallenged. As your cruise ship injury attorney, Perkins Law Offices will fight for justice and compensation. Contact Miami cruise ship lawyer Alex Perkins for a free consultation at (305) 741-5297 or visit perkinslawoffices.com. Let us help you reclaim your peace of mind.