Slippery Decks, Hidden Steps: Norwegian Cruise Fall Injuries
Hundreds of thousands of passengers board Norwegian Cruise Line ships every summer expecting fun filled vacations. No one ever expects to get hurt. But the reality is that a small percentage of these cruise passengers will unfortunately have some type of accident or injury leading to serious consequences. Â As a cruise ship injury lawyer who sees dozens of freak accidents a year, I wish I could get the word out there that there are some simple things you can do to try to keep yourself safe or at least increase the success rate of being a cruise accident claim. Since the most common type of injury inquiry we my cruise ship injury lawyer firm receives are from people who slip and fall or trip and fall on a cruise ship, the key to success can be good photos of the dangerous condition.
If you are reading this article before your trip, this is the most important pointer that would like you to keep top of mind if your voyage is interrupted by a serious injury caused by something as simple and sudden as a slip, trip, or fall on board. By following cruise ship injury lawyer best practices you can increase your chances of having a successful claim or lawsuit against a cruise line to get compensation for your serious injury upon your return home.  So, if you or a loved one was injured a slip and fall or trip and fall due to a dangerous condition on a cruise ship and are wondering: Falling on a Norwegian Cruise Ship—can you sue? The answer it’s yes if you have the proof to show the cruise line was negligent in creating or not taken care of a dangerous condition that it knew or should’ve known about. The most important thing to do is get photos of the dangerous condition that caused you to fall. This is a case killer in some scenarios if you do not get your own photographs or video of the scene of the accident. It makes it very difficult for the cruise ship, personal injury lawyer to prove your case later without that proof.
Obviously, some people are too hurt or are not thinking about claims and lawsuit preservation when they are in the heat of the moment or in dire pain. But if you have the ability to do so, or someone else in you’re traveling party is with you, try to take good pictures while you are in the moment of whatever caused your fall. Many times these are conditions that are temporary and will not be there when you come back hours or days later during the cruise. But at the very least, you should at least take photographs of the area even after it has been cleaned up or corrected because such evidence is integral in these cruise ship injury cases that must be filed in federal court, to ensure you describe the specific area where you fell and what caused you to fall. Without this information your case could get dismissed outright.
At Perkins Law Offices in Miami, we’ve represented victims of cruise ship injuries for over two decades. We know the cruise law.
Understanding the Nature of Slip and Fall Injuries at Sea
In the cruise ship injury world, slips, trips, and falls are by far the most common incidents. A wet deck, a hidden step, poor lighting, flipped up floor mats, loose thresholds—these hazards often lead to broken bones, head injuries, or other disability. Norwegian Cruise Line has a duty under maritime law to maintain reasonably safe conditions aboard their vessels. When they fail to do so, and passengers suffer as a result, the law may hold them accountable.
Falling on a Norwegian Cruise Ship: Can You Sue?
How to Prove your Slip and Fall was the Cruise Line’s Fault
Just because you slip and fall or trip and fall on a cruise ship does not automatically mean the cruise line was negligent and they are going to be held legally responsible for your accident. The cruise lines are not the guarantors of your safety during a cruise, but they do have a duty to maintain the ship in reasonably safe condition for its guests. We have several trip and fall claims against Norwegian Cruise Line caused by unlevel thresholds aboard the Norwegian cruise ships. In these cases, it was of the utmost importance to have good photographs of the actual threshold so we could look at them closely to see if there was anything unusually dangerous about the transition. Sometimes when there is carpet connected to a metal threshold transition to tile flooring, the metal strip can become loose and toes or heels can get caught.  Even if we have good photographic or video evidence of a loose threshold close up, that does not necessarily mean the cruise line is liable. We also have to prove notice that the cruise line was aware of the dangerous condition. This can be especially difficult when you do not have access to discovery to obtain other similar incident information. One way to prove liability is to show other trip and falls on the same or similar threshold. Research into the area of the fall may reveal the threshold between the two flooring services had caused similar incidents in the past. But most personal injury, lawyers that do not practice cruise ship accident law will not have the inside knowledge of other similar instances on the same ship or same class vessel that they’ve handled in prior cases or were able to obtain during discovery, putting a roadblock up in your case very early.  This is why hiring cruise ship injury lawyer with experience like Perkins Law Offices is the best thing you can do for your case. The key evidence: prior similar incidents show the cruise line was on notice of a hazard and therefore responsible legally.
What Are Your Legal Rights After a Fall on a Norwegian Ship?
As a passenger, you are protected by maritime law—specifically, the “duty of reasonable care” standard. This means that Norwegian Cruise Line must act reasonably to ensure passenger safety. If they fail to address known dangers or create hazardous conditions, you may be entitled to pursue a cruise ship accident claim.
Common Factors Leading to Cruise Ship Slip and Falls:
- Wet or slippery decks (especially around pools and outdoor showers)
- Poorly maintained flooring or carpeting
- Inadequate lighting in stairwells or hallways
- Lack of warning signs around hazards
- Sudden elevation changes or hidden steps
- Faulty handrails or broken stair treads
- Wet gangways
- Worn out anti-skid, tape or material
- Missing safety measures
- No caution, wet floor sounds or barricades
Each of these conditions could support a cruise ship slip and fall lawsuit, especially if the cruise line knew about the problem and failed to act.
How to Prove Norwegian Cruise Line Was Negligent
To sue Norwegian Cruise Line for a fall, it’s not enough to simply be injured. You must show that:
- A dangerous condition existed on the ship.
- Norwegian Cruise Line knew or should have known about the condition.
- The cruise line failed to fix or warn about the condition.
- That failure caused your injury.
This is why it’s crucial to document the scene, gather witness names, and report the incident immediately to ship personnel. Cruise lines have extensive legal departments ready to minimize payouts, so your case must be well-prepared.
How Long Do You Have to File a Lawsuit Against Norwegian?
Most cruise ship passenger tickets—including those issued by Norwegian Cruise Line—contain strict legal terms. These typically include:
- A one-year statute of limitations to file a lawsuit
- A requirement to submit written notice of claim within six months of the incident
- A clause requiring lawsuits to be filed in Miami, Florida, regardless of where the cruise sailed
Failing to meet these deadlines can permanently bar your claim. This is why contacting a qualified maritime injury attorney as soon as possible is critical.
What Compensation Could You Be Entitled To?
If your case is successful, you may be awarded damages for:
- Medical bills (past and future)
- Lost wages or diminished earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Permanent disability or disfigurement
- Emotional distress
An experienced cruise ship injury lawyer can help calculate the full scope of your losses and fight for the maximum compensation available under maritime law.
Perkins Law Offices: Cruise Ship Injury Legal Help You Can Trust
At Perkins Law Offices, we have a deep understanding of cruise ship legal rights, particularly in cases involving Norwegian cruise ship injuries. Founding attorney Alexander Perkins is a seasoned maritime personal injury lawyer who has successfully litigated claims against major cruise lines, including Norwegian.
We approach every case with compassion, precision, and the unwavering goal of securing justice for those harmed by negligence at sea. Our Miami-based firm is uniquely positioned to handle lawsuits against Norwegian, which requires injury claims to be filed in Florida.
What Sets Us Apart:
- Decades of maritime law experience
- Aggressive litigation strategies
- Personalized attention to each client
- No fees unless we win your case
If you’ve been injured on a cruise ship, don’t leave your recovery up to chance. Let us help you navigate your legal journey.
FAQs About Falling on a Norwegian Cruise Ship
Q: Can I sue Norwegian Cruise Line if I fell on a wet deck?
A: Yes, if the wet deck was unreasonably slippery, lacked warning signs, or was a known hazard, you may be entitled to sue. Contact a cruise accident lawyer for an evaluation.
Q: What if the fall happened in international waters?
A: Maritime law still applies, and your case can likely be filed in Miami. Cruise tickets often include a “forum selection clause” designating Florida courts.
Q: What are my chances of winning a slip and fall case on a cruise ship?
A: Success depends on proving negligence. Cases with documented hazards and evidence of prior incidents are typically stronger.
Q: How much is my cruise ship injury worth?
A: Settlements vary, but serious injuries can result in six- or even seven-figure compensation, especially if long-term care is required.
Q: Should I hire a lawyer, or handle the claim myself?
A: Cruise lines have legal teams trained to deny or underpay claims. Hiring an experienced cruise ship injury attorney greatly increases your odds of a fair settlement.
Final Thoughts
Falling on a Norwegian Cruise Ship can turn a dream vacation into a long-term nightmare. But with the right legal guidance, you don’t have to face it alone. Perkins Law Offices is here to help you understand your cruise ship legal rights, determine whether you can sue Norwegian Cruise Line, and fight for the compensation you deserve.
Contact us today for a free consultation. Your recovery starts with knowing your rights—and asserting them.
