What To Do If You’re Injured at a Florida Theme Park
Did you know people report more than 30,000 theme park-related injuries every year?
While these parks are fun, even a slight mishap or malfunction can compromise your safety.
As per the law, theme parks and amusement parks in Florida need to follow specific safety measures to avoid any accidents.
It includes proper maintenance of the rides, adequate security, using signs to warn people and proper staffing.
If you suffer an injury at a Florida theme park because of the negligence of the theme park, you have the right to file a suit against them.
Hiring a lawyer with experience can help you get the rightful compensation for injuries.
In this article, we’ll discuss theme park accidents and show you what to do if you are injured.
Common Causes of Theme Park Injuries in Florida
Florida has some of the best theme parks, water parks, and fun places to visit than anywhere else in the world. Here are some notable places – Walt Disney World Resort, Universal Orlando Resort, Legoland Florida Resort, and SeaWorld in Orlando.
Millions of people visit these parks every year, but some are unfortunate and suffer from injuries. Here are some common causes of theme park injuries in Florida:
1. Improper Maintenance
Theme park rides need regular safety checks to keep you safe. Temporary rides get inspected every time they’re moved, and permanent ones need yearly permits and checks twice a year. If these inspections don’t follow the rules or if maintenance isn’t done right, accidents can happen.
2. Equipment Malfunctions
Sometimes, rides and attractions have problems because of broken or badly maintained equipment. Things like safety restraints not working, loose bolts, faulty electrical systems, or other mechanical issues can lead to accidents.
3. Unsafe Conditions
Your safety can be at risk when rides run in bad conditions, like during thunderstorms, or if they don’t check safety gear. Ride makers should also warn you if you have health issues that might make the ride risky, but sometimes they forget.
4. Rider Error
Accidents can also happen if you don’t follow the safety rules from ride operators. But there can be reasons for that, like not understanding the rules because of language or hearing problems. Even if you had a part in the accident, you might still get compensation if the theme park is partly to blame due to negligence.
Common Amusement Park Injuries
Some common amusement park injuries are:
- Body bumps
- Broken bones
- Scrapes and bruises
- Back and spine hurt
- Head and neck injuries
- Soft tissue damage
- Drowning on water rides
- Strokes, heart attacks, and brain problems
- Food poisoning
Florida’s New Theme Park Safety Rules
Florida has made new rules to keep theme park attractions safer. These rules are because of the Tyre Sampson Act, named after a 14-year-old who tragically fell from a ride at ICON Park in Orlando. Here’s what the new law does:
1. No Big Changes to Rides
They can’t make big changes to rides once they’re up and running.
2. Better Operator Training
People who run the rides need better training.
3. Height, Weight, and Age Limits
They’ll tell you how tall, heavy, or old you need to be for each ride.
4. Surprise Ride Checks
The authorities must check the rides without warning to make sure they’re safe.
5. Reporting Accidents
If someone sustains an injury and needs to go to the hospital, they have to inform the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS).
Serious Theme Park Accidents in Florida
Here are some serious cases of theme park accidents in Florida in the past few years:
1. Walt Disney World (Orlando, FL)
- In 2019, a 40-year-old visitor had a seizure and fell after riding Star Wars: The Adventures Continues. He had a pre-existing condition.
- In 2021, a 58-year-old male fainted and perished after Spaceship Earth. He also had an underlying condition.
- In 2021, a 66-year-old female shattered her wrist on a Haunted Mansion ride.
2. Universal Studios (Orlando, FL)
- In 2017, a 13-year-old girl got a skull injury at Volcano Bay on the Puihi slide. She tumbled out of the raft and was entrapped underneath. A lawsuit was filed by her family against the theme park.
- In 2019, an 11-year-old boy received multiple bone fractures on the E.T. Adventure Ride after his leg got stuck. This led to consequential changes in how the ride operates.
What to Do If You’re Injured at a Florida Theme Park
Here are some important steps you need to take if you suffer from any incident at a Florida theme park:
Step 1: Get Medical Help Right Away
If you sustain an injury at the theme park, tell the park staff and get medical help from them or outside experts as soon as you can.
Step 2: Report the Incident
After that, tell the people in charge at the theme park about what happened. Explain everything in detail. Also, ask for a copy of any reports or notes they make about the incident.
Step 3: Collect Evidence
Try to gather lots of information about what happened and your injuries. If you can, take pictures of the ride and anything that caused the problem. Keep all your medical papers, like bills, diagnoses, and treatment plans. Also, save any messages or emails you get from the theme park.
Step 4: Contact a Personal Injury Law Firm
Get in touch with a personal injury attorney who knows about theme park injuries and has experience. They can help you with your case and protect your rights.
Why You Should Hire a Personal Injury Attorney for Florida Theme Park Injury?
When a theme park is responsible for injury, they often pass it to their insurance to protect themselves. They are experts and usually blame the injured person for safeguarding their reputation.
The personal injury law firm will make sure that they hold the park accountable. That’s why it’s important to hire a personal injury attorney experienced in dealing with theme parks.
Conclusion
Theme parks have to follow certain rules to make sure the people visiting are safe. Despite this, there are many cases of injuries due to negligence. If you visit a theme park in Florida and suffer from a personal injury, you have every right to seek a claim.
To help you in this process, hire the best personal injury attorney. They are experts and know how to deal with the insurance company as well as the theme park management. A personal injury attorney will help you get the best settlement for your injury.