Visiting SeaWorld is often a fun and entertaining experience for many. Unfortunately, some individuals who visit SeaWorld are injured or, worse, killed. While injuries and deaths at SeaWorld certainly aren’t the norm, they do happen. In this article, we’ll explore a basic overview of SeaWorld, notable injuries and deaths that have occurred at this amusement park, and the actions you should consider if you or a family member have been injured while visiting SeaWorld.
What Is SeaWorld?
SeaWorld, headquartered in Orlando, Florida, is a theme park chain that first opened its doors in March of 1964. This chain of sea-themed parks sees an estimated 11 million visitors each year and has locations in Orlando, Florida, Abu Dhabi, San Antonio, Texas, and San Diego, California. SeaWorld is owned by SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment and is a proprietor of oceanariums, marine mammal parks, marine animal rehabilitation centers, and animal theme parks. Among the many activities at the park, visitors can enjoy dolphin, orca, and sea lion shows, ride roller coasters with sea-themed elements, and enjoy zoological displays of a variety of marine animals.
There are a number of roller coasters and thrill rides at SeaWorld, with the most popular being Mako and Manta and Kraken, located at SeaWorld Orlando, and The Great White at SeaWorld San Antonio. All three parks also feature the Journey to Atlantis ride, which is both a splashdown ride and a roller coaster.
Past Injuries And Accidents That Happened At SeaWorld
While many people who visit SeaWorld do so without incident, some are not so lucky. Because of the nature of the thrill rides and the proximity to which visitors come within the animals, there is also room for accidents. Add this to negligence on the part of the park or the park’s employees, and many people have experienced a less-than-exciting time while visiting this theme park.
SeaWorld, like other theme parks based in Florida and throughout the nation, is required to report major incidents. These incidents are available to the public and can be found by performing a simple Google search. Examples of past injuries and accidents at a SeaWorld theme park include:
- August 1996: At SeaWorld Ohio, an 18-foot motorboat ran into the ski stadium that held an audience of 4,000 people, leaving 22 of them injured. Four of the injured individuals were in critical condition. It was later found that the boat malfunctioned due to a mechanical failure.
- July 1999: At SeaWorld Orlando, a man was found dead in an orca pool. He was nude when found and was draped over Tilikum, one of the killer whales in the pool.
- 2006: A SeaWorld Orlando trainer was bitten by the killer whale Ikaika. This incident was covered up by SeaWorld and was only discovered later during an OSHA hearing.
- February 2010: At SeaWorld Orlando, a SeaWorld trainer was killed during an incident that also involved the killer whale Tilikum. The whale pulled the trainer into the pool by her ponytail and drowned her.
Types Of SeaWorld Injuries
Just as with any other theme park, injuries at SeaWorld vary greatly and are largely dependent on the circumstances surrounding the injury. While serious injuries and accidents are rare, they often occur while visitors are interacting with animals, riding a roller coaster, or even simply walking around the park. Not all injuries require medical attention, but those that do can be costly and traumatic.
Common types of injuries that could happen at SeaWorld include:
- Head injuries
- Neck injuries
- Back injuries
- Whiplash
- Slip and fall injuries
- Twisted ankles
- Broken bones
- Joint injuries, such as those to the knee or wrist
- Sprains
- Bruises, cuts, or lacerations
- Brain trauma or brain injury
- Death
The seriousness of the injury will depend on where the injury occurred, what the individual was doing at the time of the injury, and other factors directly related to how the person experiences the injury. For example, a person who is injured by slipping and falling in an area that is wet is more likely to experience back injuries or a twisted ankle. Those who are injured on roller coasters moving at a fast pace may experience a much more severe injury.
Proving Negligence
A major component of successfully seeking compensation from SeaWorld after an injury is proving negligence on behalf of the park or the park’s employees. Negligence means that the theme park did not do something that should have protected visitors, or participated in an action that proved harmful to guests. For example, a ride attendant who does not ensure all passengers of the ride are securely strapped in is acting in a negligent way that could result in a passenger being injured while on the ride.
In order to prove negligence, many SeaWorld attorneys will demand proof of the negligence. While it certainly isn’t your responsibility to prove that the theme park acted in a negligent way that resulted in your injury, and can even be an overwhelming feat following a serious incident, many cases can quickly be shut down without proper proof. Having an experienced theme park injury attorney on your side is the best way to ensure you adequately prove negligence and receive the settlement you deserve after being injured at SeaWorld.
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What Should You Do If You’re Injured While Visiting SeaWorld?
If you or a loved one has been injured during your visit to SeaWorld, there are several steps you should take to ensure both your safety and your ability to seek compensation. These steps include:
Seek Medical Attention
If your injury is significant, you should seek medical treatment as soon as possible. Depending on the level of severity of your injury, the theme park may choose to treat you on-site at their own first-aid station or take you to the closest hospital for treatment. When you get medical attention, be sure to retain any documentation that shows your injuries and how it was treated as well as the cost of the medical treatment, as this is documentation that can be used when pursuing a settlement.
Take Images Or Video
If there is an obvious cause of your injury, such as a wet or uneven surface, be sure to take photos or a video of the location where you were injured. This will work to prove negligence on behalf of the park and support your case for compensation.
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Contact A Theme Park Accident Lawyer
If the injuries you or a loved one suffered at SeaWorld were the result of the park’s negligence, working with an experienced theme park personal injury lawyer is one of the best choices you can make. An experienced personal injury lawyer will know the appropriate steps to take to ensure your case is heard and settled to the degree that you feel is fair.
If you’ve been hurt while visiting a SeaWorld location, turn to the trusted personal injury attorneys at Florin|Roebig for legal advice. We have helped countless injured people like you settle cases against theme parks for wrongful injuries or death. In fact, we’ve helped our clients win more than $1 billion in personal injury cases and were awarded the Best Law Firm in 2021 by U.S. News & World. Give us a call today for a 100% confidential and free case evaluation.
