South Florida Personal Injury Lawyers Blog
Florida is an international hub for some of the world’s most well-known amusement parks. While various governmental entities issue guidance and regulations regarding amusement park safety, many rides pose inherent risks. Although most amusement park-goers sign release of liability waivers in the event of an accident or injury, these waivers are not iron-clad. In some instances, injury victims may still pursue claims against a negligent amusement park.
Recently, a 14-year-old boy fell to his death at Florida’s ICON Park. The teenager fell from a FreeFall drop tower ride, which transports riders up and then drops them about 400 feet at speeds exceeding 75 mph. According to authorities, the 14-year-old weighed more than 300 pounds and stood nearly 6-feet, 5-inches tall. The ride’s operations manual states that the maximum passenger weight is about 287 pounds. The manual further states that ride operators should use care when seating large guests. Operators should confirm that the passenger fits within the contours of the seat and brackets. In this case, the employee operating the ride at the time of the incident completed training at the end of February.
Moreover, safety officials visually inspected the ride in a “non-destructive test.” Reports indicate the ride met Florida’s qualifications. The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is working with the sheriff’s office to investigate the incident and make changes to protect amusement park patrons.
Amusement park injury cases generally involve negligence claims against the park, an employee, or the entity that manufactured a negligent ride or product. While many people associate amusement park accidents with defective rides, many accidents stem from slip-and-falls at the park. When employees fail to clean up dangerous spills or mark uneven surfaces, these accidents may occur.
Further, amusement parks are responsible for the actions of their employees. Those who suffer injuries because of an employee’s negligence may sue the park for the worker’s conduct. Finally, some amusement park accidents stem from defective rides or safety equipment. The ride’s design or structural defects may give rise to a product liability case against the responsible manufacturer. Although patrons have limited control over the safety of amusement parks, amusement park operators and owners may purport various defenses to liability. An attorney can help families through the claims process and ensure that they secure the compensation they deserve.
Have You Suffered Injuries at a Florida Amusement Park
If you or someone you know has suffered serious injuries or died in a Florida amusement park accident, contact Friedman Rodman Frank & Estrada for assistance. Our attorneys have extensive experience successfully representing injury victims in their damages claims against negligent individuals, companies, and organizations. We thoroughly understand the complex Florida personal injury laws that govern these types of cases. Our firm has secured significant amounts of compensation on behalf of accident victims. IN addition to Florida amusement park injury lawsuits, our firm handles premises liability, defective products, medical malpractice, and other personal injury claims. Contact our office at 877-448-8585 to schedule a free initial consultation with an attorney on our team.