Millions of people visit Florida amusement parks each year. Disney World and Universal Studios are some of the most popular theme park attractions in the world. According to the Themed Entertainment Association, approximately 119 million people visited Disney attractions in 2009. Unfortunately, injuries and accidents are as common as tourists visiting Florida’s amusement parks. In 2006, 8,800 amusement park injuries were reported to federal officials. The Orlando Sentinel compiled data from 2004 to 2008 to come up with a list of the top five theme park rides in Florida with the most lawsuits:
1. Universal Orlando’s Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls
2. Epcot’s Mission: Space
3. Wet ‘n’ Wild’s The Black Hole
4. Islands of Adventure’s Popeye & Bluto’s Bilge-Rate Barges
5. Hollywood Studios’ Rock ‘n’ Roller Coaster
The Orlando Sentinel reports that the top personal injury lawsuits filed against Florida theme parks involved slip and fall injuries, which make up almost half of the lawsuits filed. Most cases were settled out of court, rarely reaching a trial phase, and majority of the settlements are kept confidential. Eleven others — from Disney World’s peaceful boat ride, It’s a Small World, to Sea World’s high-speed roller coaster, Kraken — have each attracted two personal injury lawsuits.
An Orlando injury lawyer can provide guidance if you have been injured while visiting one of the many theme parks in Florida.
