People travel from all over the world to visit Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida. This vacation destination offers a number of exciting experiences and entertainment and has something for people of all ages. Unfortunately, while Universal Studios is the source of much fun, it’s also a place where serious injuries and even death occurs.
In this article, we’ll explore the most popular rides and attractions at Universal Studios, previous incidents of injuries and accidents at this theme park, common injuries that occur here, and what to do if you’ve been in an accident or injured while visiting Universal Studios.
What Is Universal Studios?
Universal Studios Florida is a production studio and theme park based in Orlando, Florida. The theme of the park is the entertainment industry and features rides that give visitors a glimpse inside the world of TV and movie production. Universal Studios Florida is a part of the Universal Orlando Resort, which includes an additional theme park — Islands of Adventure — and a water theme park, Volcano Bay.
As of 2017, the Universal Studios Florida was the sixth most popular theme park in the nation and the ninth most popular theme park in the world. The park includes eight different themed areas, each with a plethora of rides, shows, dining areas, stores, and attractions for visitors to enjoy. The themed areas include Production Central, New York, Woody Woodpecker’s Kidzone, Hollywood, World Expo, Diagon Alley/London, San Francisco, and Springfield.
Rides And Attractions At Universal Orlando
There are several rides and attractions found at Universal Studios Orlando that keep visitors entertained all day. Some of the most popular rides include:
- E.T. Adventure
- Woody Woodpecker’s Nuthouse Coaster
- Kang & Kodos’ Twirl ‘n’ Hurl
- The Simpsons Ride
- Men in Black: Alien Attack
- Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts
- Hogwarts Express
- Fast & Furious: Supercharged
- Revenge of the Mummy
- Race Through New York Starring Jimmy Fallon
- Transformers: The Ride 3D
- Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit
- Shrek 4-D
- Despicable Me Minion Mayhem
While these attractions certainly entertain and can be an enjoyable and unforgettable experience, they can also be dangerous and have caused harm to a number of visitors.
Notable Accidents That Occurred At Universal Studios
Universal Studios Florida and the other theme parks associated with the Universal Orlando Resort are required to submit an accident and injury report to the State of Florida at the end of every quarter. These reports include injuries, accidents, deaths, and health issues that visitors experienced while on the Universal Studios Florida property. Health issues are only required to be reported if the visitor was hospitalized for 24 hours or longer.
The following are a few of the most notable amusement park injuries that occurred on Universal Studios Florida property:
- July 1990: A man fell off the railing of the Jaws: The Ride attraction due to the rail breaking. He fell into the water and suffered minor injuries.
- October 1996: A young man fell 10 to 12 feet from the E.T. Adventure ride while trying to get into the ride’s vehicle.
- January 2004: A young boy’s foot got wedged between the loading platform and the ride on the Men in Black: Alien Attack attraction.
- September 2004: On the Revenge of the Mummy, a 39-year-old man fell four feet from the loading platform while trying to get into the ride vehicle. He suffered head injuries and was rushed to the hospital, where he died the next day.
- June 2006: A young girl experienced a foot injury while exiting the train on the Woody Woodpecker’s Nuthouse Coaster Ride.
- November 2007: A woman experienced a broken vertebrae in her lower back while riding the Revenge of the Mummy ride.
- October 2016: A young girl and a man suffered injuries on the Hogwarts Express ride due to an e-cigarette explosion on the ride.
- January 2019: A young boy was injured on the E.T. Adventure ride when his foot got stuck between the ride’s unloading platform and the vehicle. He experienced multiple bone breaks in his foot.
Common Accidents That Happen At Universal Studios
Nearly any type of injury can happen while visiting Universal Studios Florida. However, there are a few primary reasons why accidents and injuries happen. These reasons are largely due to the negligence of the park or the park’s employees, but sometimes injuries are caused by negligence on the part of the visitor. Common causes of accidents and injuries at Universal Studios include:
- Ride operator error
- Mechanical failures
- Mechanical or other fires
- Lack of adequate safety equipment
- Not following standard operating procedures
- Electrical problems
- Improper maintenance
- Restraint device failure
- Improper inspection procedures
For example, a ride operator who fails to follow the appropriate operating procedures due to carelessness could result in the serious injury of one or more guests.
Common Injuries That Happen At Universal Studios
Common types of injuries experienced at Universal Studios and other similar theme parks include:
- Blunt force trauma
- Brain damage
- Brain injuries
- Spinal injuries
- Neck injuries
- Whiplash
- Amputations
- Heart attack
- Slips and falls
- Broken bones
- Bruises
- Lacerations
- Chest pain
The extent of the injury will depend on the type of accident that occurred, how fast the ride was going when the accident happened, and other factors that affect how a person’s body is impacted by the accident.
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What To Do If You’ve Been Injured At Universal Studios
If you or a loved one has been injured while visiting Universal Studios Florida and you believe the injury was caused by negligence on behalf of the park or its staff, you may be eligible to recover financial compensation for any medical expenses as well as pain and suffering caused by the accident with an injury claim. The following are steps to take following an accident at a theme park like Universal Studios Florida:
Get Medical Treatment If Necessary
If your injury requires medical attention, you should seek medical care as soon as possible following the incident. Universal Studios has its own on-site first aid facility that will treat minor injuries such as cuts and lacerations. If you require more extensive medical treatment, the EMTs will escort you to the nearest hospital. Be sure to retain any documentation of the medical treatment you received and medical bills, as this is valuable information that’s needed when seeking compensation from Universal.
Report The Injury
You should also report the injury to park management as soon as possible following the accident. While the incident will likely be reported by staff if you notify staff or require medical attention at the time of the injury, if you don’t require medical treatment the park may not be notified. It’s important to notify the park because this provides documentation of the incident and will trigger the park to begin investigating the cause of the accident.
Take Pictures Or Video Of The Scene Of The Accident
If possible, take pictures or videos with your phone or another divide of the location where the accident happened. This is especially important if the cause of the accident is readily visible. For example, if there is a large drop from a sidewalk to the street that was tripped over, you should take images of the drop to clearly show what caused the injury. This will also prove that the injury was a result of negligence on behalf of the park rather than on your behalf.
Ask For A Copy Of The Incident Report
After reporting the incident to the park, be sure to ask for a copy of the incident report for your records. After reporting the incident to the park, be sure to ask for a copy of the incident report for your records. This is another valuable piece of documentation that can be used for your amusement park injury lawsuit.
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Contact An Experienced Theme Park Accident Lawyer
Working with an experienced personal injury attorney is an important step when going up against a large corporation like Universal Studios. The insurance companies that support this theme park often use tactics that work to minimize damages and reduce how much compensation is paid to those who have been injured while on the park’s property. Trying to determine which tactics are being used and how to best combat them can be overwhelming, especially if you’re dealing with an injury. At Florin|Roebig, our legal team is dedicated to helping people like you get the compensation they need and deserve following an accident at a theme park. Call us today for a free consultation of your personal injury case at (800) 226-6581.
