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Tampa is home to a variety of amusement parks, such as Busch Gardens, Sea World, and Adventure Island. Every year, millions of people entrust their safety to the personnel who work at these amusement parks. That imposes tremendous obligations on the owners of those parks. To ensure the guests’ safety, the park owners must put in place safety procedures that they periodically review and update.
Amusement Park Owners Duty Of Care
Most personal injury claims and lawsuits in Florida against amusement parks are based on the law of premises liability. Under that legal theory, the owner of an amusement park has a duty to warn guests of dangerous conditions that could cause injury. Also, they have a duty to their guests to maintain safe conditions on their property so as not to cause injuries to their guests.
Product Liability At Amusement Parks
Likewise, the owner of an amusement park must ensure that their rides are free from design, manufacturing, or marketing defects. If a defect exists and it injures or kills a guest, then liability could attach pursuant to the law of product liability.
Common Injuries At Tampa Amusement Parks
Surprisingly, slip-and-falls and trip-and-falls are the most common types of accidents suffered at Florida amusement parks. Here are some of the common injuries that people suffer in these accidents:
- Traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries
- Hip or pelvis fractures
- Shoulder, arm, and hand injuries
- Torn cartilage
Amusement park rides also can cause traumatic brain injuries. Those are more likely to be closed head injuries rather than open. Like in auto accidents, a victim’s brain can jostle within the skull on a ride. It can also twist and tear and the victim can suffer severe and permanent injuries.
Amusement Park Fatalities
If the carelessness and negligence of a Florida amusement park operator or its employee caused the death of a family member, that individual’s estate can bring a wrongful death lawsuit pursuant to Florida Statutes sections 768.16 to 768.26. The only individual the state of Florida allows to bring a wrongful death case is the personal representative of the decedent’s estate. Florida has a two-year deadline for filing a personal injury or wrongful death claim. Failure to file either lawsuit on time can result in the permanent dismissal of a lawsuit and no compensation whatsoever.
Contact A Tampa Personal Injury Lawyer
A serious accident can derail your plans and a family member’s future. If you or a family member were injured at a Tampa amusement park, or if you lost a family member from an accident at one, contact our offices to arrange for a free consultation and case evaluation. Our goal is to get the most compensation that you deserve. You’re under no obligation to keep us to represent you. If you keep us as your legal representation, then no legal fees will be due unless we get a settlement or award for you.