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73 Injury Claims Filed Against Universal’s Volcano Bay

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Michael Damaso / 09-17-2020 / Theme park accidents

Orange Circuit Judge Approves Punitive Damages Being Sought in Lawsuit Against Universal Orlando Universal Orlando’s Volcano Bay has come under fire due to injuries sustained by park visitors on its water slide attractions. Since the water park opened three years ago, 73 injury claims have been filed against Volcano Bay. Despite these claims, Universal Orlando’s […]

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10-Year-Old Boy Seriously Injured After Fall from Florida Zip Line Attraction

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Michael Damaso / 11-12-2019 / Theme park accidents

A 10-year-old boy sustained serious injuries after he fell from a zip line attraction at Urban Air Trampoline and Adventure Park in Lakeland, Florida. Video surveillance released last week captured the horrifying moment. The child was on a zip line ride called “Sky Rider.” Before taking off, passengers are to be strapped in via a […]

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5 Things We Learned About Theme Park Injuries

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Thomas Dennis / 06-04-2018 / Theme park accidents

  Looking over the quarterly injury reports from the Orlando area parks for the last year, there are about five to 10 injuries each quarter across all the parks, with injuries rising in the last quarter of the year due to holiday travel. The report defines an injury as any incident that occured on a […]

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Are Theme Parks Underreporting Injuries?

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Doug / 05-14-2015 / Injury

The major theme parks recently released statistics regarding injuries received in the parks during the first quarter of 2015, according to a recent article in the Orlando Sentinel. In the first three months of business there have been only six reported injuries from Walt Disney World and seven from Universal Studios. But what is the basis […]

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Riders Rescued from Stalled Hulk Coaster

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Doug / 03-25-2015 / Personal Injury

Yesterday, March 25, 2015, at around 5:45pm the Incredible Hulk roller coaster at Universal Studios Islands of Adventure came to a sudden and unexpected halt.  For nearly two and a half hours, at least 12 people were stuck on the stalled coaster waiting for rescue. The ride came to a halt near  a platform which […]

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Living With Amputation

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Doug / 10-07-2014 / Auto Accidents

Nearly 2 million people in the United States live with the loss of a limb. Of those 2 million people approximately 45% represent individuals who lost a limb* due to some sort of trauma, while 54% represent amputations due to vascular diseases, such as diabetes. Traumatic amputations usually are a result of factory, farm or […]

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Beach Driving Dangers

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Doug / 05-27-2014 / Auto Accidents

With Memorial Day marking the unofficial start to the summer, millions of people are making their way to Florida’s beaches to cool off and enjoy the sun. This past Memorial Day Weekend saw an overwhelming amount of individuals and crowds of people. Every year we’re faced with stories of tragic injuries caused by inattentive drivers […]

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Orlando: Most Dangerous City for Pedestrians

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Doug / 05-20-2014 / Auto Accidents

The National Complete Streets Coalition released its latest report on Tuesday naming Orlando as the most dangerous metro area for pedestrians. Tampa, Jacksonville, and South Florida follow right behind, with Memphis closing out the Top 5. This map shows the number of fatalities due to vehicle/pedestrian accidents within Central Florida from 2003-2012. The Orlando-Kissimmee area […]

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Dangerous Roads In Florida

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Doug / 11-11-2013 / Auto Accidents

Two deaths were the result of a wreck on Florida’s Turnpike yesterday.  This is just the latest reminder of just how dangerous it can be to drive in Florida this weekend.  While we do not know what caused the driver of the vehicle to lose control and roll his truck over the median, we do […]

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Universal’s Rip Ride Rockit: What Happened?

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Doug / 10-10-2013 / Consumer Safety

If you caught the morning news today, you probably saw a short video and reference to Universal Orlando’s Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit roller coaster.  Last night 12 passengers on the coaster were stuck for more than two hours near the top of the coaster’s first climb.  Today, we’d like to discuss what happened. According to […]

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Breaking News: Universal Guests Stuck on Roller Coaster (UPDATED!)

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Doug / 10-09-2013 / Consumer Safety

Halting the joys of a day at the park for nearly 12 guests the Rip Ride Rockit Roller Coaster at Universal Studios Orlando has been stuck at the top of its arch for nearly two hours as of this posting.  The Universal guests stuck at a nearly 90° angle just below the peak of the […]

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Deadly Accident Occurs Between Disney Bus and Visitor Vehicle

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Doug / 08-17-2013 / Auto Accidents

A tragic accident occurred yesterday on Disney property, leading many to be concerned over the safety of the theme park operations. A female Orlando resident, passed away yesterday when her vehicle collided with a Disney Magical Express bus near the Epcot theme park. It is unclear how the accident occurred, however reports from the Florida Highway Patrol indicate […]

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23 Injured in Chinese Bus Crash

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Doug / 08-08-2013 / Auto Accidents

23 people were injured when a semi-truck smashed into the back of a bus in Eastern China.  The accident was so severe, the bus flipped and the driver was thrown out the window of the bus, as seen in this video from CNN’s YouTube Channel. This highlights the need for seat belts on buses and […]

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Universal’s Rip Ride Rocket Closed Due to Rider Injury

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Doug / 08-02-2013 / Consumer Safety

Details are slim about who was injured and how on the Hollywood Rip Ride Rocket roller coaster in Universal Park Orlando yesterday.  The only information released by the park is that the rider was female, the injury was minor, and that after treatment she was released back into the park. This minimal information is probably […]

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Texas Giant Wasn’t the Only Recent Theme Park Accident

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Doug / 07-25-2013 / Theme park accidents

The tragic death of Rosy Esparza on Friday wasn’t the only Theme Park Accident in recent news.  In fact there have been a string of recent incidents across the country where rides have failed and amusement park attendees were harmed. There was an incident at Ohio’s Cedar Point, one of the oldest amusement parks in […]

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How Likely Are You To Be Hurt At An Amusement Park

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Doug / 07-24-2013 / Theme park accidents

With this past weekend’s tragedy still in our mind, many will wonder what the likelihood of being hurt, injured or harmed at an amusement park is.  And, if you are injured, what type of injuries are most common? Obviously, given what happened in Texas on Friday, death can occur when visiting an amusement park, but […]

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Another Texas Roller Coaster Closed

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Doug / 07-23-2013 / Theme park accidents

While no injuries have been reported on the Iron Rattler, a Six Flags roller coaster in Texas, its operation has been shuttered.  This temporary shutdown comes in the wake of the tragic death this past weekend. While the reason behind the latest closure seems to be preventative, the original accident has many wondering if the […]

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Tragic Death at Texas Theme Park

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Doug / 07-22-2013 / Dangerous

Little did she know, but Rosy Esperaza’s first trip to Six Flags, would also be her last. This past weekend, Rosy Esperaza lost her life while riding The Texas Giant, one of the monstrous rides at Six Flags Over Texas, and what they coin as the “the world’s steepest drop!” Rosy Esperaza was seated alongside […]

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Disney and Publix Push for “Truth in Damages”

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Doug / 07-11-2013 / Consumer Safety

In a recent Orlando Sentinel article, two large Florida Companies, Publix and Disney World, are pushing for lobbyist to propose a new legislation, which they are marketing as “Truth in Damages.” Essentially, the desired legislation would be as follows: The companies, in litigation, want the jurors to see the actual amount a victim pays for […]

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Parasailing Accident Leaves Two Teen Tourists Hospitalized

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Doug / 07-05-2013 / Boat Accidents

In a tragic parasailing accident Monday left two 17 year-old tourists, Sydney Good and Alexis Fairchild, from Indiana hospitalized and in critical condition.  The accident occurred when the cord holding the parasail to the tow boat snapped.  This left the sail and the attached teen girls adrift in the winds above Panama City Beach, FL. […]

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Hot Air Balloon Ride Goes Bust

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Doug / 06-28-2013 / Airplane Accidents

Chuck Rohr, the 73 year old founder of Rohr Balloons, remained calm as the Hot Air Balloon he was piloting drifted into power lines yesterday east of Eustis, FL.  “I felt I had it under control,” he told reporters. “If I had panicked something major could have happened.” One of the passengers aboard the balloon […]

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Are Tourist Buses Really Safe?

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Doug / 04-15-2013 / Auto Accidents

After last week’s crash involving a tourist bus in Texas, a great deal of attention has suddenly been put on the tourist bus industry.  Questions about safety, maintenance, and training are drawing the most attention in these talks, and serious considerations may be made by both Federal and State regulatory commissions.  But are the buses […]

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Man Killed Crashing Personal Watercraft After Dark

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Doug / 09-24-2012 / Boat Accidents

A man was killed in a boating accident over Labor Day Weekend near Miami’s Venetian Causeway Bridge. According to reports, the victim was speeding on a personal watercraft and collided with a 22-foot boat just after 10 p.m. A Sea Tow operator heard the crash and saw two men in the water, one unconscious. The […]

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Alcohol Suspected as a Factor in Fatal Labor Day Weekend Boating Accident

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Doug / 09-14-2012 / Boat Accidents

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is investigating a recreational boating accident that occurred at Fort De Soto Park near Tampa in Pinellas County, according to sources. The accident occurred around 8 p.m. on the Friday before Labor Day Weekend, and investigators believe alcohol may have been a factor. A 20-foot Mako boat carrying […]

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Tourism Economy Thriving in Florida

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Doug / 09-07-2012 / Boat Accidents

According to industry experts, tourism is on the rise in Florida. The Sarasota Herald-Tribune reported that 22.1 million tourists visited Florida in the second quarter of 2012, setting the pace for a new yearly record for tourism. Taxable sales for tourism from January through May 2012 were $31.5 billion. “Increased visitation and spending by travelers […]

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Fatal Parasailing Accident under Investigation

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Doug / 08-31-2012 / Boat Accidents

A Connecticut woman on vacation with her husband in Florida died in a tragic parasailing accident on August 15, according to sources. Stephen Miskell, 31, and his wife Kathleen Miskell, 28, were parasailing together 200 feet above the ground off the coast of Pompano Beach when Kathleen’s harness broke. Kathleen plummeted into the water and […]

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Nearly 10,000 Consumers Injured by Fireworks Last Year

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Doug / 07-02-2012 / Consumer Safety

With millions of Americans celebrating the Fourth of July this coming Wednesday, there are certain to be thousands of fireworks as part of the festivities. Unfortunately, thousands are injured by fireworks every year around this time. The video above from the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) demonstrates some of the dangers of fireworks. It […]

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Happy Ending to Frightful School Bus Ride

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Doug / 04-06-2012 / Auto Accidents

In this video, a young man’s actions help avert what certainly could have easily been a tragic accident. The students aboard the school bus in the video are helpless after driver suffered a seizure while behind the wheel, and the video shows just how violent the road was before the 17-year-old brought the bus to […]

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Brain Injuries Can Happen Anytime, Anywhere, to Anyone

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Doug / 03-19-2012 / Auto Accidents

Three years ago, the actress Natasha Richardson fell during a beginner skiing lesson in Quebec, Canada. Three hours after twice refusing medical attention, she developed a headache and was admitted to a local hospital before being transferred to a Montreal Hospital in critical condition and then flown to Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City […]

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U.S. Drowning Accident Statistics

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Doug / 02-27-2012 / Boat Accidents

With spring approaching, swimming season in Florida will be here soon. Swimming in pools, lakes and Florida’s many beaches is one of the most popular spring and summer activities, especially for children and teenagers. While it can be fun, it remains one of the most dangerous activities as well. Here are some statistics about swimming […]

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Amusement Park Safety Tips

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Doug / 02-08-2012 / Consumer Safety

With spring approaching and tourist season a year-round affair in Orlando, there is no time like the present to freshen up on some safety tips for amusement parks. They are usually a blast, but we would hate to see your vacation ruined by a theme park injury. So keep the following safety tips in mind: […]

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Amusement Park Injuries

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Doug / 02-06-2012 / Consumer Safety

When people think about Universal Studios, Disney World, Epcot Center or any of the major amusement parks in Orlando, they associate the parks with fun times with friends and family, often times a vacation. But these parks do a lot of business each year and have a responsibly to maintain safety standards for their millions […]

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US Boating Accident Statistics

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Doug / 02-03-2012 / Boat Accidents

With boating season just around the corner, many residents and tourists are looking forward to enjoying Florida’s gorgeous lakes and beaches. There is nothing better than hitting the water on a nice sunny day with family and friends. But you must always make safety the number one priority. A boating accident can turn a day […]

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Do I Have a Case Against Walt Disney World?

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Doug / 01-25-2012 / Consumer Safety

Q: My 15-month-old daughter and husband became violently ill after sharing a children’s meal at a restaurant on Walt Disney World’s property in Orlando. My daughter was hospitalized for nausea, vomiting and dehydration. The doctor suspected food poisoning. It took my daughter a month to fully purge her infant system of the toxins and to […]

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Are Personal Watercrafts More Dangerous than Other Boats?

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Doug / 01-16-2012 / Boat Accidents

Before boating and swimming season starts up again in the spring, it is important to make sure you take all safety precautions before hitting the water with your friends and family. Thousands of people are out on the water in Florida every day on boats, and personal watercrafts (PWC) are becoming more popular each year. […]

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Texas A&M Football Player from Jacksonville Killed in Truck Accident

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Doug / 01-06-2012 / Car Accident

A senior at Texas A&M from Jacksonville died after a car accident on December 22, according to JacksonvilleProgress.com. Joseph Villavisencio, 22, was a senior on the Texas A&M football team. He was driving in Texas when he swerved to avoid a buzzard and collided head-on with a semi-truck. “The driver over-corrected, causing him to cross […]

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Florida Community Pleads for Stoplight at Dangerous Intersection

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Doug / 12-28-2011 / Car Accident

An East Naples community has been pushing officials to add a traffic light on the dangerous U.S. 41, but may have to wait a few more months, according to NaplesNews.com. Jan Jackson’s grandson suffered a traumatic brain injury after a pedestrian accident recently while riding his bike home from Lely High School. “We have to […]

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Man Killed In Boat Accident

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Doug / 12-02-2011 / Boat Accidents

A North Carolina man is dead after a boating accident on November 22, according to sources. The boat, driven by a 71-year-old man from Lumberton, struck a jetty next to Wrightsville Beach, according to Fred Gorchess of the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission. The name of the man is not available to the public at […]

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Could Disney Have Possibly Prevented An Invasion Of Privacy?

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Doug / 11-30-2011 / Consumer Safety

A man was arrested in Florida after he was caught peeping in the women’s restroom at Walt Disney World’s Epcot theme park, according to the New York Post. Lloyd Miller, 42, is charged with sexual assault for peeking over a bathroom stall to spy on a tourist from Pennsylvania who was vacationing with her family. […]

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Orlando Theme Parks Report 12 Injuries

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Doug / 10-31-2011 / Personal Injury

Theme parks in Orlando this past quarter have reported 12 serious injuries to the state, according to the Miami Herald.  The report is required to be filed quarterly with the state.  Seven of the injuries were reported at Walt Disney World, three at Universal Orlando, one at Seaworld Orlando and one at Wet ‘n Wild. […]

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Legoland Florida To Be Exempt From State Safety Inspections

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Doug / 10-21-2011 / Consumer Safety

Roller coasters and other rides that will be at the new Legoland Florida them park, scheduled to open in Polk County in October, will not be subject to state safety inspections, according to the Orlando Sentinel. State officials agreed to allow Legoland to qualify for a 22-year-old exemption that was originally intended for Disney World […]

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How to Protect Your Family From Hotel Bed Bugs

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Doug / 09-12-2011 / Tourist Injuries

Traveling to Florida hotels means not sleeping in your own bed, sheets, or pillows. If you are sleeping somewhere other than your home, beware of bedbugs that lurk in hotels and motels. Bedbugs are pesky intruders that cause severe itching and welt-like bites. Worst of all, bedbugs can hitch a ride from a hotel to […]

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How to Keep Your Home Safe While Traveling to Florida

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Doug / 08-29-2011 / Tourist Injuries

Summer season is a busy time for tourist leaving their homes for days or weeks at a time. Tourists traveling to Florida have several ways of keeping their homes safe. A vacant home, or one that appears vacant, is an appealing target to a burglar. Here are several ways you can keep your home safe […]

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How to Keep Germs Away During Florida Flights

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Doug / 08-10-2011 / Tourist Injuries

Thousands of tourists visit Florida each month, many of them traveling by airplanes. Airplanes may be more comfortable forms of travel for some families but flights can be sources of germs and illnesses. Thousands of flights in the air each day carry millions of microscopic germs along for the ride. Keep your family safe when […]

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Young Children At High Risk Of Drowning

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Doug / 07-22-2011 / Tourist Injuries

According to the Florida Department of Health report from 2001-2005, the state averages 465 deaths per year from unintentional drowning. Another study found that Florida ranks top in drowning deaths of toddlers and young children. A 2008 report found that 71% of Florida’s unintentional drowning deaths involved children under the age of four. It is […]

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Disney Theme Park Rules Your Family Should Follow

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Doug / 07-18-2011 / Tourist Injuries

Disney World theme park touring can be a great and fun adventure for the entire family. It takes money to prepare for the trip, as well as travel and attending many theme parks that Orland has to offer. Keeping your family safe during a visit to Disney World theme parks is important. However, many things […]

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Four Tips To Keep You Safe At Florida Theme Parks

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Doug / 07-15-2011 / Tourist Injuries

According to the Theme Park Insider, Florida tourists can enjoy the state’s many theme parks while preventing theme park injuries. Here are a few tips to help keep you and your family safe on your next vacation to Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, Sea World or another amusement park. Stay cool and avoid sunburn: Water […]

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Unsafe Universal Studios Ride Shuts Down Due To Fire

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Doug / 07-13-2011 / Tourist Injuries

According to the Injury Lawyer Directory, a fire broke out on the water ride “Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls” at Universal Studios’ Islands of Adventure theme park in Orlando. A theme park employee noticed the smoke and evacuated all tourists and staff members before flames engulfed one of the ride’s housing structures. Some of the guests […]

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Tourist Killed in Florida Parasailing Accident

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Doug / 07-11-2011 / Tourist Injuries

According to New York Injury News, a parasailing accident off Florida’s west coast left a male tourist dead on June 27, 2011. The fatal accident occurred about a mile off Longboat Key after the boat lost speed and the victim floated down to the water, according to local media reports. David Richard Sieradzki, 31, of […]

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Mom Claims Molestation by Donald Duck, Settles Lawsuit With Disney

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Doug / 05-23-2011 / Tourist Injuries

According to Yahoo! News, Disney has agreed to settle a lawsuit brought on by a female tourist who claimed she was groped by Donald Duck during her visit to the Epcot theme park. April Magolon has settled her tourist injury lawsuit against the entertainment giant last week, according to court documents. Magolon, from Upper Darby, […]

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