Universal Studios Injuries
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Dealing With A Universal Studios Accident
The Orlando area is well-regarded throughout the world as a center for family fun. With both Walt Disney World and Universal Studios Orlando close at hand, many families flock to the area for annual vacations and celebrations. However, while these theme parks offer a variety of forms of excitement and entertainment, they also harbor hidden dangers that have resulted in accidents over the years. At Florida Trial MD, we have extensive practical experience working as Orlando injury lawyers helping innocent victims injured at Walt Disney World and Universal Studios Orlando.
A trip to Orlando is an investment of time and resources. Whether families visit a specific Disney theme park, such as The Magic Kingdom or Disney’s Hollywood Studios, or thrill to the experience of Universal Studio Orlando’s The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, the financial obligations are not insignificant. Guests assume that these theme parks are built for safety as well as for fun. However, a variety of factors converge to often transform these family vacation spots into more dangerous locales.
A primary contributing factor to the danger at these theme parks is simply the volume of people visiting each park. For example, in 2012, The Magic Kingdom recorded over 17 million visitors, making it the most visited theme park in the world. These large crowds require a well-trained and vigilant workforce, operating with a full staff. However, with downsizing and other efficiency efforts, some parks are not sufficiently staffed to ensure that all guests are safe and secure. Take, for example, a typically spectacular parade or fireworks display at one of the parks. These displays and attractions are meant to captivate their audiences. Pedestrian walkways, bridges, and other viewing areas need to be kept safe and clear, but misappropriation of staffing leads to dangerous gatherings. Our firm has seen theme park accidents and injuries as a result of crowd mismanagement, overcrowding, uneven sidewalks, and poor lighting or signage.
Other threats to safety include mechanical problems with amusement rides. Newsworthy injuries regarding such incidents include: a man from Florida dying after riding Busch Gardens Tampa roller coaster; a boy from Kentucky dying after riding Walt Disney World’s Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster; and a woman from Germany dying after riding Walt Disney World’s Mission: SPACE. While exact numbers for any specific park are hard to come by, the Consumer Protection Safety Commission (CPSC) estimates that the number of serious amusement park ride injuries requiring emergency medical care has increased to nearly 5,000 incidents per year.
Unfortunately, the CPSC cannot obtain complete information because of the limitations of the Consumer Product Safety Act. There exists a limitation that prohibits the CPSC from regulating the safety of rides that are fixed to a specific site, such as Walt Disney World. While mobile rides, such as those in local carnivals and other traveling attractions can be regulated and monitored, the giant amusement and theme parks fall outside the jurisdiction of the CPSC. Better reporting would help families evaluate the safety at theme parks. Despite the paucity of reporting standards, CPSC notes several factors are at fault in the amusement park accidents and injury including consumer behavior, operator behavior, mechanical failure, and design defects.
If you or a family member are injured in a theme park accident, it is critical that you document the situation thoroughly. Photograph any broken devices, dangerous structures, or visible defects that contributed to the accident. You should also obtain the names and telephone numbers of any witnesses; and, if you fill out any form, obtain a copy for your records. While you should report the accident and injury, do not provide any recorded statement. Our experience indicates that many injured guests receive no compensation or payment for many months after their injury. By this time, they are back home, often out-of-state or overseas. In these cases, our local expertise is essential in handling your claim.
The theme parks of central Florida will always remain great places to visit. During their visits, guests assume the theme park is safe and secure. However, accidents as a result of negligence do occur. If you have been injured at Walt Disney World, Universal Studios Orlando, Sea World Orlando or any other theme park, you deserve the best and most qualified lawyers in Florida. As one of the few Florida law firms with both a Medical Doctor-Lawyer and a Board Certified Civil Trial Lawyer, we invite you to call us now at 844-FL TRIAL MD (844-358-7425) to learn how we can help, or fill out our Free Evaluation Form on this page.
