Millions of people flock to Central Florida every year to visit Disney World, Universal Orlando and our other famous popular theme parks and attractions. While most visitors have an enjoyable time without incident, some sustain injuries on rides or are hurt in other mishaps, sometimes fatally. If you or a loved one is hurt at a Florida amusement park, you may be able to pursue a personal injury claim to recover compensation.
Amusement park patrons can suffer serious injuries or death in a number of situations, such as:
- Falls due to inadequate safety railings or guardrails
- Slips and falls on cracked, uneven or wet surfaces
- Drowning at water parks
- Injuries near animal enclosures
- Assault and battery on park grounds
- Monorail, shuttle and car accidents
- Accidents at hotels, restaurants and casinos on or near park property
The basis for a legal claim depends on the circumstances surrounding each accident, but in general there are three possible legal theories:
- Ordinary negligence — Amusement park operators and their employees owe a duty of care to visitors. Negligence is failure to act reasonably in ensuring the safety of guests, thereby causing an injury. For example, a ride operator may fail to adequately maintain their equipment, allowing dangers like loose seats or broken restraints to persist, which can eventually lead to an injury-causing accident.
- Premises liability — Park owners and operators have a duty to keep property safe and to promptly repair any dangerous condition that they knew or should have known about. The same applies to hotels, restaurants and other businesses around the park. Slip and falls are the most common type of premises liability claims, but assault victims often use this legal theory to claim inadequate security was provided.
- Product liability — Accidents can occur due to defective mechanical components on rides. Items sold at gift shops may be defective or dangerous. It takes a thorough investigation to determine who should bear responsibility.
Defendants in amusement park injury suits often argue that the victim shared in the blame for the accident. An experienced theme park injury attorney knows how to counter allegations that you failed to comply with safety rules or that you were aware of and accepted the risks associated with a ride or other attraction.
Largey Law Firm has two offices within one hour of Disney World, Sea World, Universal Orlando and the surrounding theme parks. We know how to handle injury claims involving these major entities. To speak with a lawyer, contact us online. Your initial consultation is free.
