Was Your Theme Park Injury Preventable?
The odds of being injured at a Florida theme park are unknown. Theme Parks in Florida do not have to report injuries and do not, making the risk faced when entering a theme park uncertain. 
Local attorneys are aware of the endless risks associated with mechanical malfunctions and staff oversights and the frequency in which they occur, These statistics are hidden from the public by the theme parks. Common injuries range from bruises, broken bones, lacerations, seizures, and even death. Car, boats, restaurants and household appliances are subject to federal regulations, but no national standard exists for theme park safety.
Who Regulates Our Theme Parks?
In short, no one. Florida safety regulations only pertain to carnivals and small parks. For decades, fixed-site amusement parks like Disney World, Universal Studios, and SeaWorld has earned exemption through a convenient loophole. If you are injured on a ride, you will need reliable evidence and a competent Orlando accident attorney.
Any theme park that employs over 1,000 members of staff and has trained experts to perform constant maintenance is exempt from state regulations. Where the Department of Agriculture would normally set safety limitations and require regular reports and inspections, these privately owned locales are responsible for their own maintenance teams and safety reports.
In exchange for exemption, large theme parks submit voluntary quarterly reports. These reports’, however, tend to include only brief descriptions and are not subject to follow-up investigations. Many theme park injuries are reported as merely a “pre-existing condition” with no further elaboration on the matter. Theme parks are under no obligation to open their doors to federal investigators, reporters, or your Orlando personal injury lawyer.
Legislative History of American Theme Parks
In 1981, Congress determined that this method of self-evaluation was fully acceptable and that amusement park facilities were not consumer purchases subject to regulation by the Consumer Product Safety Commission. U.S. Senator Edward Markey attempted in 2011 to pass the National Amusement Park Ride Safety Act that would require major theme parks throughout the country to adhere to federal regulation. A panel of doctors, ride specialists, and experts convened for a comprehensive analysis of theme park injuries and deaths. They concluded that current safety standards were sufficient in preventing amusement park accidents and could not be improved with federal regulation.
Ride With Caution
Although the likelihood of theme park injury seems insignificant, the millions of tourists and residents that visit Orlando’s most prominent attractions are still at risk of theme park negligence. Roller coasters are still the most dangerous of any theme park ride, and studies suggest that most accidents occur while patrons are entering and leaving rides. Whether your injury occurred at a small local fair or the area’s most elaborate park, your well-being and that of your loved ones must be protected. Immediately contact your local Orlando personal injury attorney if you are ever the victim of a negligent theme park accident.
