Ocala Injury Lawyers Blog
Earlier this week in Walt Disney World, a fire started on one of the amusement park’s newest and most popular rides, the Seven Dwarves Mine Train Ride. According to a report by People, the park authorities noticed that something was wrong when embers from the nearby Magic Kingdom firework display landed near the ride’s buildings. The building quickly caught fire.
The fire began around ten in the evening and was completely contained within two hours. Thankfully, there were no injuries as a result of the fire. The ride, which has been open for only about six months, is the park’s most popular attraction.
Disney World’s Safety Record
Walt Disney World is known to be a fairly safe amusement park. However, accidents can occur at these parks. For example, there was a fatal accident a few years back on the Sailing Ship Columbia in Disneyland where a rope that was securing the ship came loose and swung a metal cleat into a man, killing him and severely injuring his wife. The couple’s two children, although unharmed, witnessed the entire accident. In the case, the amusement park settled with the family for $20 million.
Since the beginning of the third quarter this year, Disney World has reported 12 serious injuries. However, there is dispute about what the true number of incidents are, seeing as how the State of Florida relies on the park to voluntarily report most of its injuries, rather than requiring periodic reporting. The only injuries that the park must report are those that result in hospitalization of more than 24 hours.
Premises Liability in Amusement Park Cases
Amusement parks can be a dangerous environment, and this fact can cut both ways for those injured on premises and seeking compensation for their injuries. The fact that amusement parks are known to be dangerous can cut against a plaintiff’s chances of recovery if the defendant can convince the court that the plaintiff should have expected that the dangers were present.
However, some dangers cannot be anticipated by park goers. When a dangerous and unexpected condition causes an accident, people injured in that accident may have a cause of action against the park and its management.
Have You Been Injured in an Amusement Park Accident?
If you or a loved one has recently been injured in an amusement park accident, or any other kind of accident that occurred on the property of another, you may be entitled to monetary compensation for your injuries. Keep in mind that defendants named in premises liability actions will generally do everything they can to avoid being held liable for the damages, including shifting the blame onto an innocent plaintiff. To prevent this from happening to you, contact a dedicated Florida premises liability attorney to discuss your case. Call 352-387-8700 to set up a free initial consultation today.
More Blog Posts:
Florida Helicopter Crash Results in $16 Million Verdict, Ocala Injury Lawyers Blog, published October 3, 2014.
Tampa City Truck Driver Kills Toddler in Accident, Ocala Injury Lawyers Blog, published September 12, 2014.