Florida Theme Park Accident Attorney

Florida is one of the go-to theme park destinations in the United States, making it popular with tourists and locals. While most attractions may be considered generally safe, this depends on responsible maintenance and training of the rides and property. When property owners and managers are negligent, the consequences for visitors can be deadly.

You can sustain significant injuries at a Florida theme park. When that happens, you need an experienced Florida theme park accident attorney. At Lytal, Reiter, Smith, Ivey & Fronrath, our Florida personal injury lawyers will fight for your right to compensation. You should not be left paying the price for someone else’s negligence.

You have rights as an injured guest in Florida

See why thousands of Floridians have trusted us for over 30 years

The Lytal, Reiter, Smith, Ivey & Fronrath team has 30 years of experience serving injured parties in Florida. Our firm has experience taking on some of the largest corporations and insurance companies in the United States. Our experience makes us a formidable opponent for theme park executives and their lawyers, and our team has received accolades, including Super Lawyers, Best Lawyers in America, and Best Law Firm in America.

With seven offices across the Sunshine State, we are where you need us if you have suffered injuries at a central Florida theme park. It is critical to have a local attorney because that is where settlement negotiations or a trial will happen. We are well-versed in amusement park accidents and the specific regulations these companies are expected to follow.

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We handle every kind of Central Florida theme park accident

In the shuffle and chaos of theme parks and the variety of environments they offer, negligent operators, managers, and owners can cause various injuries that encompass several cases. Some of the types of cases we handle include:

• Premises liability: The umbrella of premises liability covers accidents caused by negligent property management or safety precautions, where the liability is attributed to the property owner or legal tenant. Examples of different types of premises liability cases include poorly maintained stairwells, elevators, rides, or inappropriate crowd control.
• Slip-and-fall: A slip-and-fall case is a type of premises liability injury but can have some nuanced components. Situations causing this kind of injury may include inadequate signage for slick areas, poor maintenance, or poor functional considerations for flooring.
• Wrongful death: Wrongful death cases can occur when the facility’s negligence results in the death of a loved one. An example of a wrongful death case includes the death of a 14-year-old at ICON Park several years ago due to operator ignorance.
• Brain injury: Although brain injury cases may fall under the umbrella of many kinds of cases, effective legal case management requires an in-depth knowledge of the medical side of these injuries and how they can affect someone’s life.
• Product liability: In a theme park injury accident, product liability becomes relevant in the case of faulty rides, elevators, or other equipment that may cause injury.

What to expect in a Florida theme park injury case

Working with an attorney through your case not only helps maximize your compensation recovery but can also prepare you for what is next to come in the legal process. The details of every case are different, but the general legal process for a civil case will stay consistent:

• Making your complaint: in a personal injury case, you will generally start by trying to negotiate a settlement with the insurance company with the understanding that you may choose to pursue a civil lawsuit if you fail to agree on an amount. If that happens, your attorney can file the initial complaint and have the other party served the paperwork.
• Discovery and motions: If the case moves forward, the discovery phase begins, which is a time for both sides to gather and share evidence relevant to the case.
• Pretrial conference and trial: Before trial, the relevant parties will gather and discuss the evidence you plan to present at trial, concerns with the trial, and options for settlement.
• Judgment and appeal: Following the trial, the presiding judge will give their judgment on the matter and will generally include who they believe to be liable, the amount of damages owed, and any additional fines, such as punitive damages. If you disagree with the decision, you may be able to appeal.

This is a general framework for how the case will continue, and you may face delays or changes along the way depending on the specifics of your case. Additionally, the process can end if you and the other parties can agree on a settlement amount. Insurance providers and businesses often prefer to settle rather than risk the unpredictability of facing a judge.

You may suffer substantial injuries from a theme park accident, and we can help you determine their full compensation value

Given the diverse environments of theme parks in Florida, injuries can vary significantly, just like their causes. An injury you receive from falling down slick steps at a water park will likely look very different from one you sustain from improper restraint on a ride. Some of the injuries we commonly work with include:

• Seizures
• Broken bones
• Lacerations
• Stroke
• Head injuries
• Cognitive issue
• Food poisoning
• Drowning
• Whiplash

This is not an exhaustive list, but it may provide a general idea of what might qualify for a personal injury case and settlement. In the last two decades or so, reports from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services show exempt facilities such as SeaWorld, Busch Gardens, Disney World, and Universal Studios have counted around 84 instances of falling incidents alone.

The benefits of working with a Central Florida theme park accident attorney

You may be uncertain why you need an attorney, whether you feel your injuries are not that bad, or because the amusement park has already offered a settlement amount. An attorney can level the playing field, ensuring you have representation just like they do, which can provide you with some of the following benefits:

• Negotiating with the insurance company
• Handling communication regarding your case
• Investigate the circumstances of your accident
• Valuing your losses
• Preparing your argument
• Representing you in meetings and court dates
• Taking your case to trial

Let us get started today, helping you recover what you deserve. Call Lytal, Reiter, Smith, Ivey & Fronrath at (561) 655-1990 or contact us online to arrange your free case review today.

We answer common questions about Florida theme park accidents

At Lytal, Reiter, Smith, Ivey & Fronrath, we want to empower our clients to make informed decisions about their theme park injury cases. Below, we provide some general insight into the process.

How much is my case worth?

Most people considering a personal injury claim against a negligent amusement park first consider the amount they will receive. Due to the complex nature of these cases, we cannot provide an amount you will receive at the end of the lawsuit. Countless factors can add to or reduce the case’s value, even as negotiations are in progress.

What can I receive compensation for?

In the legal world, the compensation we ask for is in the form of damages. Your attorney will work with you to determine what exactly you may request, but losses to consider may include:

• Medical costs
• Lost wages
• Pain and suffering
• Support services

How long do I have to file my claim?

There are legal time limits to most forms of legal action. According to Florida statutes, a civil lawsuit for personal injury must be filed within two years. This rule has few exceptions, so you should contact an attorney as soon as possible to avoid unknowingly waiving your right to a lawsuit.

How much will it cost to have a personal injury lawyer?

If you are already consumed with medical costs, missed work pay, and other financial stressors from your accident, you may be hesitant to accept legal help for fear of adding more to your bills. We have a long track record of achieving positive results for our clients to increase the value of our services. Reaching out will be the best way to get information and better understand what may lie ahead and how much it will cost you in the end.

Resources for injured Florida theme park guests

Lytal, Reiter, Smith, Ivey & Fronrath

We have offices across Florida at the following locations:

• Boca Raton
  • 150 E Palmetto Park, Suite 840, Boca Raton, FL 33432

• Melbourne
  • 1507 Riverview, Melbourne, FL 32901

• Port St. Lucie
  • 1850 SW Fountainview Blvd Ste 207, Port St. Lucie, FL 34986

• Fort Myers
  • 2200 Broadway Space 301, Fort Myers, FL 33901

• Fort Lauderdale
  • 110 SE 6th St, Ste 1410, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301

• West Palm Beach
  • 515 N Flagler Dr 10th floor, West Palm Beach, FL 33401

Hospitals in Florida

• West Boca Medical Center
• Orlando Health
• HCA Florida Healthcare
• Gulf Coast Medical Center
• HCA Florida Northwest
• Good Samaritan Medical Center