Spencer Aronfeld: Your Rights After Royal Caribbean Water Slide Injury

Initial reports claimed the man had fallen through the gap; however, it was later confirmed no one had fallen through, with reports instead suggesting he had been “sliced open” by the jagged acrylic glass.

The injured passenger was treated onboard the ship and was said to be in stable condition, though officials did not disclose the severity of the injuries. Cruise ship lawyer Spencer Aronfeld took to TikTok to explain whether
the passenger would have any legal recourse.

“Well, let me tell you from the perspective of a lawyer who sues cruise lines for a living, like Royal Caribbean: just because this happened, does not mean under federal maritime law, that the passenger automatically is entitled to receive money for their injury,” Aronfeld said.

“The law says Royal Caribbean must have either known, or should’ve known of the dangerous condition, i.e. cracks in the slide or it failed or had failed before and failed to warn the passenger before it happened,” Aronfeld continued.

If the breakage to the slide was sudden, with no warning whatsoever, Aronfeld says it will be a very tough case for that passenger.