What Are My Options if I’m a Tourist and Get Injured in SeaWorld Orlando?

James D. Payer | October 29, 2024 | Personal Injury

Over four million people visit SeaWorld Orlando in a typical year. Most of these people are from out of state, and many are from overseas. With that many people visiting a single location every year, it’s not surprising that amusement park accidents and injuries are common. Here’s how to handle an accident scenario.

Steps to Take at the Scene of the Accident

In the event of an accident, take the following steps immediately:

• Get medical attention. This is the most important step you can take for both medical and legal reasons. There is often no more credible evidence than medical records.
• Report the accident to SeaWord staff. Ask SeaWorld to prepare an accident report and provide you with a copy.
• Exchange information. Get contact details for any witnesses.
• Document the accident scene. Photograph the scene of the accident, your injuries, and anything else that might serve as relevant evidence. You should also keep the items you were wearing on the day of the accident. Even a photo of the sky could be relevant if the weather played a role in your accident.
• Contact a personal injury lawyer. As soon as possible after sustaining an injury, consult an attorney for further guidance. 

If your injuries prevent you from taking any of these actions, have your friend or partner take them for you.

Possible Claims and Defendants

You need to find a basis for a personal injury claim against SeaWorld or any other party who may have caused your injury. 

Here are some possible claims you might assert:

• Premises liability: SeaWorld has an obligation to ensure that its premises are safe for guests.
• Negligent security: SeaWorld has an obligation to ensure that no third party injures its guests. If you were beaten and robbed in a parking lot, for example, you might hold SeaWord liable for failure to provide security guards. You might also sue the person who assaulted you.
• Negligent operation of rides: SeaWord is responsible for its employees’ negligent behavior, as well as negligent training or supervision of SeaWord employees.
• A defective product that injured you. This might be the fault of the product manufacturer, not SeaWorld.

Your lawyer should be able to help you think of many other possible claims.

Damages Available After an Injury at SeaWorld Orlando

If you win your claim, you can generally demand medical expenses, lost earnings, pain and suffering, and other tangible and intangible compensation. Punitive damages are possible but only available in particular circumstances.

You might have been partly at fault for your own injuries. Suppose, for example, you slipped on an unmarked wet surface while intoxicated. A court might assign SeaWord 60% fault and assign you 40% fault. If that happens, you will lose 40% of your damages. If the situation were reversed, the accident would have been 60% your fault and 40% SeaWord’s fault; for example, you would have been unable to recover damages.  

The Statute of Limitations for Recovering Damages After an Injury at SeaWorld Orlando

In Florida, you generally have until two years after an accident to file a personal injury claim. There are exceptions, however. If you wait too long to pursue your claim, you could lose the right to recover compensation in court. 

A Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help With Your SeaWorld Orlando Injury Claim

If you were injured while visiting SeaWorld Orlando, you could be entitled to recover compensation from the at-fault parties. An experienced personal injury lawyer can help with every aspect of your claim, from the initial consultation to settlement negotiations and trial representation if necessary. 

Contact Our Orlando Personal Injury Law Firm For Help Today

If you’ve been injured in an accident in Orlando, Florida, and need legal help, contact our experienced Personal Injury lawyers at Payer Law Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation today.

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