Florida is one of the most visited vacation destinations in the world. With numerous amusement parks, water parks, clubs, and beaches, not to mention NASA and the Daytona Racetrack, there are more reasons to visit Florida than almost anywhere in the world. Most of these destinations do their best to keep their property safe, but accidents can happen. We hope you are never injured when you are visiting Florida, but if you are, be sure to get immediate medical attention, inform a person of authority at the accident location (the manager on duty), document and take pictures of everything, and get names of witnesses and statements if possible.
Hopefully, you will recover without incident. If your injuries are severe or long-term and you believe someone else’s negligence contributed to your injury, you might be entitled to compensation under Florida law. In order for you to receive compensation, the following conditions must be met:
- a third party had a duty to exercise reasonable care
- the party was negligent in ensuring that care
- you were injured
- that injury can be demonstrated
If you are injured, an insurance adjustor or the property owner may try to convince you to accept a settlement shortly after the injury. I encourage you not to talk to anyone until you’ve first spoken to an experienced personal injury attorney in Florida. Florida law allows a four-year statute of limitations. While I do not encourage you to wait, because memories fade and it will be harder to collect information, don’t listen to anyone who tells you that you must act quickly, without consulting a Florida personal injury lawyer first.
Causes of injuries
Many different types of injuries can occur while visiting amusement parks, water parks, clubs, or resorts in Florida. Slips and falls, broken bones, severed limbs, sickness, near-drowning or drowning, animal attacks, severe allergic reactions, and more have happened at some of Florida’s favorite tourist destinations. Possible unsafe conditions that contributed to these injuries include:
- Uneven surfaces
- Unsafe conditions for getting on and off a ride
- Attendants not recognizing a guest’s or rider’s distress
- Uncontrolled crowds pushing and shoving
- Food poisoning or ingredients not listed
- Negligent hiring practices
- Assault and battery on public location or private resort
- Poor lighting
- Unsafe railings or safeguards
- Overcrowding of rides
- Poorly maintained or inadequately supervised rides or amusements
- Malfunctioning rides, machines, or rental equipment
- Sudden jolts in a ride for which there is inadequate padding or protection
- Unsafe water attractions: pools, slides, water rides, waterskiing, jet-skiing, etc.
- Inadequate security
- Not securing passengers into rides correctly, or moving while passengers are boarding or exiting
- Visitors getting caught in the machinery of a ride
- Spilled food or drink
- Unsecured animals
- Wild animals, such as crocodiles, in the vicinity without sufficient protection of guests
Getting help
There are a wide variety of legal entities that try to protect large companies from providing significant compensation to injured visitors. I know the many different types of insurance that companies carry, especially amusement parks and clubs in Florida, and I am experienced in the kinds of arguments and tactics Florida vacation destinations frequently use to limit or deny your claim.
Don’t try to tackle the insurance companies alone. You need an advocate at your side who knows how to deal with them and how to get significant awards for injured vacationers. If you have been injured in Florida, call me at (954) 448-7288 for a free consultation to see how I can help you.