Orlando is known for having the world’s most popular amusement parks, including Disney World, Universal Studios, Legoland, Seaworld, and Fun Spot America. While these theme parks can be fun, they can also be quite dangerous. Unfortunately, when accidents happen, amusement parks don’t always want to accept responsibility and make things right.
That’s where Attorney Louis can help.
In Orlando, Florida, amusement parks have a legal obligation to provide a safe environment for you and your family. When the park is negligent, it can be held responsible for resulting in injuries and suffering.
Louis Berk Law Firm has years of experience taking on powerful corporations and insurance companies and obtaining life-changing results for clients like you. Their Slip & Fall/Premises Liability Lawyers are highly qualified to assist you with your case.
Are Theme Park Accidents Common?
Thousands of accidents occur at amusement parks in the United States each year. According to the National Safety Council, 1,299 accidents occurred at amusement parks nationwide in 2019.
That’s about 3.7 accidents for every million amusement park visitors.
In fact, amusement park accidents have actually been on the decline in recent years. Between 2003 and 2019, park accidents dropped by about 36.4%.
Although theme park accidents are less common, guests who are injured can suffer debilitating injuries or lose their lives. In these situations, holding amusement park owners accountable is critical.
What Causes Most Orlando Amusement Park Accidents?
There are many reasons for accidents to happen in amusement parks in Orlando. Some of the causes of accidents at local theme parks include:
- Negligence in maintenance
- Failure to inspect rides regularly
- Operator error
- Mechanical failure
- Inadequate safety measures
- Debris and trash create slip-and-fall hazards
- Cracked pavement and sidewalks
- Slippery and sliding surfaces
- Negligent security
- Failure to secure doors and gates to restricted areas
- Poor lighting
- Falling objects
- Equipment defects
It’s essential to identify the specific reason(s) why an accident occurred at an Orlando theme park. Once the cause is known, it’s easier for your Slip & Fall/Premises Liability Lawyer to determine liability and file a compelling legal claim for life-changing compensation.
Civil Liability for Wrongful Death at a Theme Park: Case Study
On March 25, 2022, Tyre Sampson, a 14-year-old from Missouri, was thrown from a free-fall tower at an amusement park in Orlando, Florida, after riding the Free Fall attraction, which is advertised as the highest of its kind in the world. The minor lost his life after falling into the void from the Orlando Free Fall attraction, a free-fall tower more than 130 meters high, located at ICON Park.
The autopsy revealed a key detail that could have influenced his final fate: he weighed 45 kilos more than allowed for access. Now, his case has become a legal battle between his family, the park, the game manufacturer, and the operator.
Sampson weighed 173 kilos and was 1.80 meters tall. The instruction manual for use by the manufacturer of the ride, Funtime Thrill Rides, indicates that the maximum weight allowed to ride is 129 kilos. The victim’s body had fractures in the face, skull and ribs. It was an accident that resulted in “trauma from a strong blow.”
The initial report by engineers hired by the Florida Department of Agriculture revealed that the sensors had been manually adjusted to double the size of the opening for the restraints in two seats, which is why Sampson was not adequately secured.
Young Man’s Family Files a Lawsuit
The boy’s family is suing the park, the manufacturer, and the company that operates it, Slingshot Group. Slip & Fall/Premises Liability Lawyers allege that the operators of the attraction should have known that it posed a risk to the occupants, “who could suffer serious injuries and death.”
In the same lawsuit, they added that the attraction had no security and that they did not make the weight and height restrictions visible to the public.
What types of compensation can Orlando theme park accident victims seek?
Theme park accidents can be catastrophic and leave you struggling. The good news is that you can file a lawsuit against the theme park to recover compensation for your injuries. Compensatory damages include money for economic and non-economic damages, including:
- Current medical bills
- Reasonably necessary future medical expenses
- Rehabilitation and therapy
- Disability
- Lost wages and income
- Diminished earning capacity
- Loss of employment opportunities
- Nursing care
- Funeral expenses
- Out-of-pocket costs
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Reduced quality of life
- Chronic physical pain
- Embarrassment
- Wrongful death
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
You should expect the amusement park to fight back and try to downplay the severity of your injuries. They will use any tactic to limit your damages and reduce the compensation you receive. Our Orlando Slip And Fall Lawyer is not going to let the park run things their way. We will analyze the circumstances of your accident, use experts to guide you through the process and work to develop a legal claim that proves your case and gives you the maximum financial compensation you need and is entitled to.
Schedule a Free Consultation with Louis Berk Law Firm
Don’t fight the aftermath of an accident at theme parks in Orlando, Florida, alone. Call Attorney Louis for help getting through this challenging time in your life. Our Orlando accident attorneys have decades of combined experience and a proven ability to take on demanding companies and get great results. Contact us to schedule your first free consultation and get started.