You came to Orlando for a family vacation, a day of thrills, or a break from everyday life. Instead, you left with an injury that turned excitement into pain, worry, and unexpected expenses. If that's your story, an Orlando amusement park accident lawyer at Spetsas Buist is ready to help.
Theme parks attract millions of visitors to Central Florida every year. Most leave with nothing worse than sore feet and sunburn. But when rides malfunction, operators make mistakes, or parks ignore hazards, guests pay the price. The injuries range from broken bones to traumatic brain damage to wrongful death.
At Spetsas Buist, we've seen how amusement park injuries affect families long after the vacation ends. Medical bills pile up. Time off work strains finances. The physical pain lingers. We fight for compensation because no one should bear those burdens alone after a park's negligence caused their harm.
Schedule Your Free Consultation
Table of contents
- Why Families Choose Spetsas Buist
- Orlando Amusement Park Injuries: Key Facts for Families and Visitors
- Common Causes of Amusement Park Injuries
- Types of Injuries at Orlando Theme Parks
- Who Is Liable for an Orlando Amusement Park Accident?
- Compensation Available After an Amusement Park Injury
- What to Do After an Amusement Park Injury
- Florida's Unusual Regulatory System for Theme Parks
- How Florida's Comparative Fault Law Affects Your Claim
- Time Limits for Filing an Amusement Park Injury Claim
- Answers to Common Questions About Orlando Theme Park Injury Cases
- We Make the System Work for You
Why Families Choose Spetsas Buist
People from all over the world flock to Orlando, the theme park capital of the world, for unrivaled experiences and adventures. We believe every amusement park guest should leave the park with lots of happy memories, not serious injuries.
Founding attorneys Nick Spetsas and Charles Buist established this firm to provide injured individuals with the personal attention that big firms often lack. When you call our office near Lake Eola Park in downtown Orlando, you talk to a lawyer, not a call center.
Former insurance defense experience
Several of our attorneys previously represented insurance companies and large corporations. We know the strategies parks and insurers use to deny and minimize claims. Now we use that knowledge to fight for injured guests and their families.
Direct attorney access
You get your lawyer's cell phone number and direct email. We return calls promptly because we know how stressful this process feels. No one should wonder what's happening with their case.
Trial-ready representation
Insurance companies pay more when they know a firm will actually go to court. Our Orlando amusement park accident lawyers prepare every case for trial, even while pursuing a settlement. Parks and their insurers understand we don't back down.
No-win, no-fee guarantee
We handle amusement park injury cases on a contingency basis. You pay nothing up front and owe no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you. We also advance all case costs, so financial concerns never stand between you and quality legal representation.
Proven results and 5.0 rating
Spetsas Buist has recovered settlements for injured clients and handles cases throughout Central Florida. We're members of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and Trial Lawyers for Justice, giving us access to resources and co-counsel for complex cases. Our work has resulted in hundreds of satisfied clients and a perfect 5.0 rating on Google.
Orlando Amusement Park Injuries: Key Facts for Families and Visitors
- Florida's major theme parks self-regulate their ride safety and are not subject to state inspections.
- Smaller parks and traveling carnivals face state oversight from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS).
- Parks often include liability waivers in ticket purchases, but these do not eliminate your right to sue for negligence.
- You have two years to file most personal injury claims and two years for wrongful death claims in Florida.
- Located in downtown Orlando across from Lake Eola Park, Spetsas Buist offers free consultations and works on contingency, meaning you pay nothing unless we recover compensation.
Common Causes of Amusement Park Injuries
Theme park accidents in Orlando happen in many ways beyond the dramatic ride failures that make headlines. Guests suffer harm from everyday hazards that parks have a duty to prevent.
Mechanical problems cause some of the most serious injuries. Restraint failures, sudden stops, and amusement park ride accidents put riders at risk. Aging rides require careful maintenance, and cost-cutting on repairs creates danger.
Operator errors also lead to accidents. Ride attendants may fail to check restraints properly, ignore height and weight requirements, or allow too many passengers. Poor training leaves guests vulnerable.
Beyond the rides themselves, parks present slip-and-fall hazards from spilled drinks, wet surfaces near water attractions, and uneven walkways. Overcrowding creates risks in queues, restaurants, and pathways.
Other common causes of amusement park injuries include:
- Falling objects from rides or other guests
- Collisions on go-karts, bumper cars, or other interactive attractions
- Heat-related illness from long waits in the Florida sun
- Negligent security leading to assaults or criminal acts
- Transportation accidents on trams, monorails, or parking lot shuttles
An Orlando theme park accident attorney investigates exactly what went wrong and who bears responsibility.
Types of Injuries at Orlando Theme Parks
The injuries guests suffer at amusement parks range from minor bruises to life-changing trauma. High-speed attractions, water rides, and crowded facilities create multiple hazards.
Head and brain injuries
Sudden jolts, abrupt stops, and collisions with hard surfaces cause concussions, skull fractures, and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). Symptoms may not appear immediately, but TBIs often lead to chronic headaches, memory problems, difficulty concentrating, mood changes, and sensitivity to light or sound.
Neck, back, and spinal cord injuries
Roller coasters and thrill rides generate extreme forces on the spine. Whiplash, herniated discs, and spinal cord damage cause chronic pain and, in severe cases, paralysis.
Broken bones and soft tissue injuries
Falls, collisions, and restraint failures lead to fractures, sprains, dislocations, and torn ligaments. These injuries require surgery, physical therapy, and extended recovery time.
Drowning and near-drowning
Water parks and log rides pose drowning risks, especially for children. Near-drowning incidents cause brain damage from oxygen deprivation even when the victim survives.
Wrongful death
The most serious accidents take lives. Families who lose a loved one at an amusement park may pursue a wrongful death claim against the responsible parties.
Who Is Liable for an Orlando Amusement Park Accident?
Determining responsibility for a theme park injury often involves multiple parties. Your amusement park injury lawyer in Orlando identifies everyone who may owe you compensation.
The park itself bears responsibility when it fails to maintain safe conditions, train employees properly, or warn guests of known hazards. Under Florida's premises liability law, property owners are obligated to provide visitors with a duty of reasonable care.
Ride manufacturers may be liable when design defects or manufacturing errors cause equipment to fail. Product liability claims hold manufacturers accountable even when the park maintained the ride correctly.
Third-party contractors who service, repair, or inspect rides may share liability if their work is found to have contributed to the accident.
Individual employees whose reckless or negligent actions directly caused harm may face personal liability alongside their employer.
Parks defend themselves aggressively and often deny wrongdoing. They have teams of lawyers and investigators ready to respond the moment an accident occurs. Working with an experienced Orlando amusement park accident attorney levels the playing field when pursuing an amusement park accident lawsuit.
Compensation Available After an Amusement Park Injury
Florida law allows injured guests to seek compensation for the full impact of their injuries. The value of your claim depends on the severity of your harm and the strength of the evidence.
Medical expenses form the foundation of most claims. This includes emergency care, hospital stays, surgery, medication, physical therapy, and ongoing treatment. Your attorney calculates both current bills and projected future costs.
Lost income covers wages you missed while recovering. If your injuries affect your ability to work long-term, you may also recover compensation for reduced earning capacity.
Pain and suffering damages address the physical discomfort and emotional distress your injuries cause. Florida does not cap these damages in most personal injury cases.
Additional compensation may include:
- Disfigurement and scarring
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Mental anguish and psychological trauma
- Out-of-pocket expenses related to your injury
In cases involving gross negligence or intentional misconduct, punitive damages may also be available to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar behavior.
What to Do After an Amusement Park Injury
If you've already received medical treatment, there are steps you may take now to protect your legal options.
Contact an Orlando amusement park accident lawyer. Parks begin their own investigations immediately after accidents. Having legal representation ensures someone is protecting your interests from the start.
Preserve all evidence you have. Keep your ticket stubs, wristbands, receipts, photos, and any documentation of your visit. Save text messages or social media posts from the day of the accident.
Document your injuries and recovery. Keep a journal of your symptoms, pain levels, and how your injuries affect daily life. Save all medical records and bills.
Avoid discussing the accident publicly. Do not post about your case on social media or give recorded statements to insurance adjusters without legal guidance.
Follow your doctor's treatment plan. Gaps in treatment give insurers an excuse to argue your injuries aren't serious. Attend all appointments and follow medical advice.
Florida's Unusual Regulatory System for Theme Parks
Most visitors assume government inspectors regularly check the rides at Orlando's famous theme parks. The reality is more complicated, and a recent roller coaster death at a major Orlando park brought renewed attention to gaps in oversight.
Under Florida Statute § 616.242, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) oversees amusement ride safety. The agency inspects permanent rides twice per year and temporary carnival rides each time they set up at a new location.
However, Florida law exempts parks with more than 1,000 employees and their own full-time safety inspectors. This means the state's largest and most-visited theme parks conduct their own inspections and investigate their own accidents. They must file quarterly reports on injuries and deaths, but state inspectors have no authority to examine their rides independently.
Critics call this arrangement a conflict of interest. When a park investigates itself after an accident, its financial interests may influence the findings. Smaller parks like Fun Spot face regular state inspections and surprise visits, while the major parks operate under self-regulation.
This regulatory gap makes legal representation even more critical after an injury. Our Orlando amusement park accident lawyers conduct an independent investigation and can hold parks accountable regardless of what their internal review concludes.
How Florida's Comparative Fault Law Affects Your Claim
Florida follows a modified comparative negligence system. If you share some responsibility for your accident, your compensation reduces by your percentage of fault. If you bear more than 50% of the blame, you cannot recover damages.
Parks often argue that guests caused their own injuries by ignoring safety warnings, removing restraints, or violating ride rules. Insurance adjusters look for any evidence to shift blame onto injured visitors.
Our experienced amusement park injury attorneys in Orlando protect against these tactics. We gather evidence showing what the park did wrong and counter attempts to minimize your claim.
Time Limits for Filing an Amusement Park Injury Claim
Florida’s statute of limitations sets strict deadlines for personal injury lawsuits. For most amusement park injuries, you have four years from the date of the accident to file suit. Wrongful death claims must be filed within two years of the death. Learn more about Florida's personal injury statute of limitations.
These deadlines apply even when you're still recovering or negotiating with insurers. Missing the deadline means losing your right to seek compensation.
Evidence also disappears over time. Witness memories fade, surveillance footage gets deleted, and maintenance records may be lost. Contacting an attorney promptly gives your case the strongest foundation.
Answers to Common Questions About Orlando Theme Park Injury Cases
Can tourists from other states file injury claims in Florida?
Yes. Florida courts have jurisdiction over accidents that happen within the state, regardless of where you live. If you were injured while visiting Orlando from another state or country, you may pursue a claim in Florida. An Orlando amusement park accident lawyer handles communications and court filings so you don't need to travel repeatedly.
Do ticket waivers prevent me from suing a theme park?
Waivers and liability releases have limits under Florida law. Parks cannot waive liability for their own negligence or for injuries caused by unsafe conditions they knew about. Courts often find these agreements unenforceable when parks fail their basic responsibilities to provide a safe property. An attorney reviews your specific circumstances to determine how any waiver affects your claim.
What if my child was injured at a theme park?
Parents may file claims on behalf of minor children. Florida law allows children to pursue their own claims after turning 18, extending potential deadlines. Injuries to children often warrant substantial compensation for long-term effects on development, education, and quality of life.
How long do amusement park injury cases take to resolve?
Timelines vary based on injury severity, liability disputes, and whether litigation becomes necessary. Straightforward cases with clear fault generally take less time than complex cases involving serious injuries or disputed liability. Your attorney keeps you informed throughout the process.
What if I signed a medical waiver before riding?
Medical waivers acknowledging health risks differ from liability waivers. Signing a form that warns about potential effects on people with heart conditions or back problems does not release the park from responsibility for mechanical failures, operator errors, or unsafe conditions. These waivers address inherent risks of the activity, not the park's negligence.
We Make the System Work for You
An amusement park injury can disrupt your life, finances, and sense of security. But you have options. While the odds may be stacked against you from the start, Spetsas Buist can level the playing field and hold giant theme parks accountable for injuries caused by negligence.
We offer free consultations to injured guests and their families. Call (321) 352-7588 to speak directly with an Orlando amusement park accident attorney about your case. There's no cost to learn your options, and you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you.
Contact us online to schedule your free case review today.