Florida theme parks reported seven injuries during the second quarter of 2013 as part of an agreement with the state of Florida to self-report incidents for exemption from state safety inspections on rides. Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando each reported three injuries, while Wet ‘n Wild reported one. Self-reported injuries are usually related to chest pain, dizziness or headaches during rides and are usually incidents resulting in more than 24 hours in a hospital.
While a vacation is usually a time to forget stress and the details of everyday life, accidents can still happen. Whether on a ride or at your resort, preventable accidents can result in permanent injuries.
Sometimes an accident is not needed to cause injury
Pain and injury do not always occur after an actual accident. Back and neck injuries can result from being bounced in a boat off the thousands of miles of Florida coast. Whiplash can appear after a speedy roller-coaster. Often, these types of injuries do not show up immediately, and an investigation is needed to prove the cause.
Hotels and restaurants
When you stay in a hotel or eat in a restaurant, the owners and managers of these public establishments are responsible for ensuring their patrons’ safety. Slippery floors, criminal activity or any incident resulting from unsafe rooms, common areas and parking lots can lead to a lawsuit.
Swimming pools
If someone is injured or killed in a hotel or theme park swimming pool, the person or company in charge of the pool can be held responsible if there was any lack of safety involved. For example, lifeguards must be present during pool hours. If there is no lifeguard on duty, a warning must be posted saying so. Pools must be maintained and filled to a certain depth, and depth and no-diving markings should be clearly visible. Emergency and safety equipment should always be on hand and easily accessible, regardless of the presence of a lifeguard.
If you or a loved one was injured while on vacation in Florida, you can file a personal injury claim if the incident was caused by a person’s or a company’s negligence. However, most hotels, resorts and theme parks are controlled by large corporations that employ aggressive lawyers and insurance companies that are not interested in the best results for victims. Having an equally strong and knowledgeable Florida personal injury lawyer on your side can help you get the justice you deserve.