Common Causes of Theme Park Tragedies - SteinLaw Injury Lawyers

Florida Amusement Park Injury Lawyers Share the Common Causes of Theme Park Tragedies After Recent Orlando Death

Amusement Park Injuries

On Thursday, March 24, 2022, a 14-year-old boy, Tyre Sampson, tragically died after falling off the Orlando Free Fall ride at ICON Park in Orlando. The ride is about 430 feet high and advertised by the venue as the world’s tallest free-standing drop tower. It carries riders up slowly, tilts them at a 30-degree angle, and quickly drops them down, reaching a speed of around 75 mph. 

Unfortunately, this isn’t the first incident of a tragic death or injury at an amusement park. In fact, a death occurred in 2020 at the same amusement park, when a 21-year-old employee fell while conducting a daily safety check. 

The Florida amusement park injury lawyers at SteinLaw extend their condolences to Tyre Sampson’s family and friends. 

SteinLaw wants to help families who have experienced a tragedy such as an injury or wrongful death at an amusement park. From SteinLaw’s experience working with clients on these cases, here is more information about theme park safety, what went wrong at ICON Park, and the most common causes of amusement park injuries and tragedies. 

Are theme park rides safe?

While the SteinLaw Florida amusement park injury lawyers are here to help in the case of injury of wrongful death, we want theme park-goers to know that theme parks are generally safe and the risk is small. But, it is always smart to be careful and take precautions. 

Statistically, only around 1,000 people per year are injured in amusement park ride accidents, according to the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions. However, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission places the total number closer to 30,000, when accounting for small traveling theme parks such as carnivals and fairs. 

Is it possible to fall off a roller coaster?

The short answer is yes, it is possible to fall off a roller coaster and other amusement park rides. Ride injuries and deaths can occur for a variety of reasons. 

In the case of this recent Orlando theme park incident, the 14-year-old boy seemingly slipped from his seat and fell while the ride was being operated. The Orlando Free Fall Ride has since been closed indefinitely. 

While this incident is still being investigated by Orange County authorities, this type of incident can happen due to a defective seat restraint, employee error, or if a rider sits the wrong way in a seat or is over the weight limit for the ride.

SteinLaw can help if you or a loved one were injured on a theme park ride. Contact us for a free consultation today.

What are other causes of death or injury at amusement parks?

  • Operator error: At large amusement parks such as Disney World, they may have standards in place to qualify employees to operate the rides, but often at smaller theme parks or traveling fairs and carnivals, ride operators may be more inexperienced, or even get distracted, fall asleep, or be under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
  • Mechanical failure or poorly designed or defective ride: At theme parks, rides are likely to be in operation for 12 hours a day, 365 days a year, so damage is common. Regular maintenance may occur to prevent mechanical failure, but it isn’t 100% guaranteed and negligence can happen. 
  • Slip and falls: When ride access points are wet or uncleaned, slips and falls can occur, causing serious injury at a theme park.

Florida Amusement Park Injuries 

Florida Amusement Park Injuries

While a fatal injury like this recent Orlando incident is the most severe, amusement park rides can cause a variety of injuries, including:

  • Back and spinal cord injuries
  • Whiplash
  • Broken bones
  • Motion sickness
  • Brain aneurysms and injury, paralysis
  • Emotional trauma such as PTSD
  • Strokes
  • And more!

Amusement park owners, ride operators, and ride manufacturers can potentially be held liable for accidents or injury. They may claim that waivers were agreed upon by visitors or that riders agree to an assumption of risk when choosing to come to a theme park. However, expert amusement park injury lawyers at SteinLaw can help prepare a defense for these types of arguments. 

If you or a loved one have been impacted by a theme park injury or death, the Florida amusement park injury lawyers at SteinLaw may be able to help. No matter the cause or severity of an amusement park injury, contact SteinLaw today for a free consultation.

Brandon Stein

Chief Executive Officer

Brandon Stein is a Florida based trial attorney born in Queens, New York, and was raised in East Brunswick, New Jersey. Being the son of an accountant that owns a large firm in New Jersey, owning and operating a business is something that was engrained within Brandon Stein from a very young age...[READ BIO]

Contact SteinLaw Florida personal injury attorney

Social Share