Amusement Park Injury Lawyer in Orlando

Most amusement parks in Orlando are open year-round due to the favorable weather conditions in Florida. No matter what time of year, visitors arrive in the city to experience the excitement of meeting their favorite Disney character or riding the famous roller coasters. 

Orlando also has multiple water parks, including Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon. Water parks contain lots of options for floating in the pool, jumping through the wave machine, or experiencing the thrills of steep waterslides. 

Other parks allow visitors to get up close and personal with exotic animals like seals, whales, alligators, and lions. While visiting wild animals in safe quarters may seem exciting, it can prove dangerous if the park doesn’t take proper safety precautions.

The number of daily visitors to Orlando theme parks, along with extreme rides and massive premises, make amusement parks dangerous places. There can be many hazards that cause injury, including damaged equipment, poorly maintained grounds, and the potential for slips and falls. 

While some injuries are preventable, others are not. No visitor can predict whether a roller coaster car will malfunction or a site will suddenly present a severe electrical hazard. Since amusement park accidents are unexpected, visitors don’t know how to react when they occur.

If you experience an injury at an amusement park, it’s essential to follow certain steps. Doing so can help document your case and prevent others from experiencing similar injuries.

Gather Evidence of the Accident

Frequently, amusement park injuries occur due to malfunctioning equipment or operator errors. If you sustain an injury while on a ride, take photos of the accident scene. For instance, if the ride restraint fails on a roller coaster or a bumper car, try to photograph or video the malfunction. 

If witnesses saw your accident, ask them for their contact information. If they are willing to record a video describing the incident, record it. 

Get Help From Theme Park Employees

Individuals who work at theme parks in Orlando must undergo safety and ride maintenance training. If an injury occurs on a ride or anywhere on the premises of an amusement park, they must follow specific rules to guarantee your safety and that of other guests. 

Following an accident, alert nearby employees or ride operators of the incident. They’ll stop other guests from boarding the ride until its mechanics are thoroughly checked, or they will clear off the area if you’ve suffered a slip and fall due to a crowded pathway.

Park officials will transport accident victims for immediate first aid; if a hospital visit is necessary, park employees will arrange for an ambulance. 

Theme parks often stretch for miles. Having the assistance of employees to maneuver through pathways with the help of transport carts can ensure you receive quick medical treatment.

Keep Copies of All Medical Treatment

You’ll need to see a physician for treatment if you experience a severe injury at an amusement park. Make sure to keep copies of all of your treatment records and test results. Follow your doctor’s recommendations, including seeing a specialist if necessary. 

Seek the Assistance of Amusement Park Lawyers in Orlando

While filing a personal injury lawsuit may not be your first thought following an accident at a theme park, you may need compensation to cover your medical expenses. Schedule an appointment with an experienced personal injury law firm like Morgan & Morgan. 

The attorneys at Morgan and Morgan will review the facts of your case to determine who is at fault for your accident and how much compensation you are due. 

A wide range of injuries can occur at a theme park. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, the most common injuries include:

• Sprains and strains (35%)
• Contusions and abrasions (27%)
• Lacerations (11%)
• Broken bones (8%)
• Concussions (2%)
• Internal organ damage (2%)
• Dislocations (1%)
• Hematoma/hemorrhage (1%)
• Burns and electrocutions (1%)

Other injuries, like whiplash or spinal cord damage, are also possible.

Certain types of rides that involve high speeds or quick turns are more likely to cause injury than others. 

Unsurprisingly, theme parks frequently cite roller coasters as the most dangerous rides. Roller coasters involve high speeds and frequent changes in direction, and they may go upside down or result in steep falls. Failing safety restraints or malfunctioning equipment may cause significant injury to passengers. 

Rides that involve lots of spinning may also cause serious injury. Spinning rides often require the passenger to stand up while the ride spins at breakneck speeds for several minutes.

Water slides are familiar sources of theme park accidents. They often involve multiple parts that can detach or cause cuts and bruising. 

Other potentially hazardous rides include Ferris wheels, trains, and virtual reality rides that can lead to disorientation.

Younger passengers and older individuals with pre-existing conditions may be more susceptible to injury. People with heart disease, prior back injuries, or a history of traumatic brain injuries—as well as people who do not otherwise meet physical guidelines—should avoid rides that involve extreme speed or force.

There are many potential causes of theme park accidents. Some of the most common include equipment malfunction and failure, employee error, and poor visitor behavior. 

Amusement parks are subject to strict safety protocols they must follow to protect their visitors. Despite the numerous rules, accidents regularly occur. 

Whenever you visit a theme park, it’s essential to evaluate the potential risks of a ride. If you have a condition that a particular ride may exacerbate, it’s best to avoid it and choose alternatives that aren’t as hazardous.

If you choose to ride a roller coaster or other attraction that uses vast speeds or force, check your safety restraint carefully before the ride begins. If the restraint seems loose or isn’t appropriately locked, notify the ride operator immediately. You don’t want to risk severe injuries from a malfunctioning ride.

When walking through an amusement park, pay careful attention to walkways. Theme parks often span dozens of miles, and even the most attentive employees can miss a slick surface or debris when checking for safety hazards. Notify park attendants if you notice any areas that may cause harm to unsuspecting visitors.

Also, avoid taking actions that may impede your safety or the safety of others while on a ride. Don’t intentionally shake the ride or stand up when you know you’re supposed to remain seated. Stay hydrated, as it can get quite hot and muggy in Orlando.

Pursuing a personal injury lawsuit against a theme park is a complex process. The burden of proof rests on the plaintiff, and you’ll need to prove that your injuries directly resulted from the theme park’s negligence. Equipment manufacturers may also be responsible if your case involves a malfunctioning ride. 

Amusement park lawyers in Orlando can review the evidence of your case and establish a strategy that directly connects your injuries to defective equipment or poorly maintained premises. Attorneys will consult with your medical team to determine how long it will take you to recover from your injuries. 

At Morgan & Morgan, we have close contacts with medical experts, engineers, and equipment experts who can establish whether a defective part or equipment caused your wounds.

It’s never wise to go it alone in a personal injury case against a large theme park. Theme parks keep numerous lawyers on staff to protect their reputation and reduce the potential monetary fallout from a personal injury case. Instead, seek out experienced legal counsel from Morgan & Morgan.

Every amusement park personal injury case is different. Some people sustain mild injuries with limited recovery times while others suffer lifelong debilitation. The value of your case will consider factors like your past and future medical expenses and whether you can continue to work. 

In most personal injury cases, you can recover expenses related to medical costs, lost wages, emotional pain and anguish, and disability or disfigurement. If the actions of employees or equipment manufacturers were egregiously negligent, a court might award you punitive damages.

The statute of limitations for personal injury cases is four years. If you are a surviving family member of a loved one who died from an amusement park injury, you have up to two years to file a wrongful death lawsuit. 

However, it’s critical to begin legal proceedings as soon as possible. It will take time for your attorney to assemble all the evidence in your case. In addition, it’s common for people to forget essential facts concerning their injuries as months go by. Seek the assistance of a lawyer as soon as possible.

At Morgan & Morgan, we offer free consultations for all our clients. If you decide to proceed with a lawsuit following the case review appointment, you’ll pay nothing unless we win a settlement or court verdict on your behalf. 

The fees paid to us will be a percentage of your award. However, no fee is charged for our services if we cannot obtain any money for you.

Morgan and Morgan have helped thousands of people recover well-deserved financial compensation in personal injury cases. We can assist you in your case if you sustain injuries while visiting an Orlando theme park. Contact us today to schedule your free case review.