Waterslides, water rides, wave pools, lazy rivers, and bump boats make Florida water parks some of the most exciting attractions. It’s a family-favorite vacation destination, especially in Florida, where the top water parks in the nation exist. Over seven million visitors attend water parks every year.
However, water parks can pose a risk to the health and safety of Florida tourists and residents alike. Common reasons for Florida Water Park Accidents include:
- Outdated equipment
- Employee negligence
- Lack of safety measures
- Insufficient lifeguards on duty
- Inexperienced equipment operators
- Lack of training
- Failure to maintain or repair equipment
According to the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), over 4,200 annual emergency room patients come for waterslide-related injuries. If you were one of the people unfortunate enough to sustain injuries while enjoying your waterpark outing, you might be entitled to compensation. Read on to learn about how a Tampa Water Park Accident Attorney can help you.
Florida’s Water Parks
Florida is the land of the endless summer and a dream destination for many people. It’s home to some of the most adventurous water parks in the nation. Here are some of Florida’s most popular water parks:
- Walt Disney World’s Disney Blizzard Beach (Orlando, FL)
- Aquatica Water Parks (Orlando, FL)
- Typhoon Lagoon Water Park (Orlando, FL)
- Universal Studios (Orlando, FL)
- Volcano Bay
- Islands of Adventure
- Weeki Wachee Springs State Park (Spring Hill, FL)
- Buccaneer Bay
- Lil’ Mates Caribbean Cove
- Wet ‘N Wild Orlando
- Daytona Lagoon (Daytona Beach, FL)
- LEGOLAND Water Park (Winter Haven, FL)
- Rapids Water Park (West Palm Beach, FL)
- Wild Waters (Silver Springs, FL)
- Grapeland Water Park (Miami, FL)
- TY Park (Hollywood, FL)
- CB Smith Park (Pembroke Pines, FL)
Major water parks get more and more exciting every day. They come out with new attractions and keep people excited. The downside is that more visitors mean more potential for a Florida water park accident. If you sustained injuries at a Florida water park, you should speak with a Tampa Water Park Accident Attorney.
An Overview of Florida Water Park Accidents
Water parks provide some of the most thrilling lifetime experiences for families and friends. They are quite competitive in their innovation to attract more visitors year after year. For example, the Summit Plummet water slide in Disney’s Blizzard Beach is considered one of the most extreme water slides in the Country. Riders slide down at nearly 55mph.
While this sounds exhilarating, it can also be extremely dangerous. And sadly, the race to attract customers sometimes comes at the expense of their safety. This often results in personal injuries that could have been prevented.
According to a report from the International Association of Amusement Parks Rides and Attractions, over 4,300 people seek medical care annually due to amusement park accidents. The worst part is that many injury victims don’t take action because they assume they don’t have legal recourse. Or, they may be intimidated or not know that the water park can be liable for their injuries.
You could seek damage compensation if you were injured at a water park due to someone’s negligence. Whether from untrained staff, lack of staff, or a defective ride, you can hold the water park accountable. In addition, injuries often result when water parks try to cut costs to increase profits. So, if you sustained injuries at a Florida water park, get in touch with a Tampa Water Park Accident Attorney.
The last thing someone expects from their day of fun in the sun is an injury that requires going to the hospital. After that, consult a Tampa Water Park Accident Attorney for solid legal counsel. Unfortunately, water parks count on innocent injury victims to stay quiet and idle. But, you don’t have to become a statistic. A Tampa Water Park Accident Attorney will give you the answer you need and help you get the financial compensation you deserve.
Is a Florida Water Park Liable if I Was Injured on Their Property?
Yes. Under Florida’s premises liability law, Florida water park operators are liable for injuries that occur in the park. Furthermore, they are legally obligated to take necessary precautions to protect guests from harm.
Failure to adequately maintain their premises could translate to negligence. For example, an unsafe water slide or insufficient lifeguards on duty would be negligence. If a water park fails to maintain reasonably safe premises for its guests, it may face legal liability. A Tampa Water Park Accident Attorney can help you identify all liable parties and gather evidence to establish their negligence.
Proving Negligence of a Florida Water Park
If you sustained injuries at a water park and believe the owner, an employee, or another party is at fault, a Tampa Water Park Accident Attorney can help you prove it. Strong evidence will be the foundation for your injury claim.
Negligence is simply the legal term for the responsibility or liability in an accident. Therefore, to prove the water park owner or employee’s negligence, you must demonstrate the following elements:
- The Florida water park owner or operator had a duty of care. They have a legal duty to operate their water park in a safe manner.
- They breached their duty to avoid harming visitors.
- Their failure to keep the water park in reasonably safe condition led to your injuries, which makes them legally responsible for the accident.
- You suffered losses as a result of the accident. Their negligence caused your physical, financial, and emotional damages.
Common Causes of Florida Water Park Injuries
Water park accidents can happen in many ways. Here are some of the common scenarios that may require assistance from a Tampa Water Park Accident Attorney:
- Dangerous waterslides resulting in injuries
- Poor maintenance of a ride, slide, machinery, or equipment
- Lack of supervision that leads to an injury
- Slip and fall accidents due to failure to adequately maintain the premises
- Trip and fall accidents due to hazards or dangerous conditions
- Poorly lit areas that lead to accidents or injuries
- A defective Florida water park ride
- Ride doors or gates left unlocked due to employee negligence
- Florida water park pedestrian accidents (in the parking lot)
- Any other parking lot accident at a Florida water park
- A car accident at a Florida water park
- Mechanical failures
- Lack of proper signage or warning of dangerous conditions
You might qualify for financial compensation if you were injured in any of the above situations.
Common Injuries in Florida Water Park Accidents
Water park accident fatalities are rare but have happened. You could file a wrongful death claim if your loved one died at a Florida water park.
Non-fatal injuries are common in Florida water park accidents. Severe injuries sometimes cause life-long consequences. Here are some common injuries that result from Florida water park accidents:
- Concussions and other head injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Lacerations and contusions
- Broken bones
- Broken or lost teeth
- Sprains
- Neck injuries
- Back injuries
- Drowning, which can lead to a TBI or death
What Damages Can I Seek in a Florida Water Park Accident Claim?
If you were injured at a Florida water park, it could help you determine what damages you are eligible to recover. Potential damage you can seek includes:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning capacity
- Future medical bills related to the accident
- Pain and suffering
- Physical therapy
- Medications
- Physical rehabilitation
- Emotional anguish
- Diminished quality of life
- Funeral costs if you have a wrongful death claim
Contact a Tampa Water Park Accident Attorney Today
If you sustained injuries in a Florida water park accident, you could take steps to protect your legal rights. That includes contacting a Tampa Water Park Accident Attorney to review the facts of your case to tailor a winning strategy for your unique case.
Our team of skilled Florida personal injury lawyers will also help ensure you collect a fair financial award for all of your inconveniences. In addition, we won’t take any money from you until we win your case.
Contact us today for a free consultation with a knowledgeable Tampa Water Park Accident Attorney.
