A day at the amusement park is not always as fun as it seems. Bad things can happen that can harm a person for life.
We are talking about defective roller coasters. While the rides at amusement parks often go through intense inspections and scrutiny, sometimes they are not as well-maintained as they should be. Rides can be defective, breaking down and causing serious injuries.
A Florida man is suing Universal Studios after allegedly being trapped on a malfunctioning roller coaster for about an hour in a tilted position.
According to a lawsuit filed last week in Florida’s Ninth Judicial Circuit, Casey Causey says he was riding the Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey attraction on July 2, 2023, when the ride suddenly stopped. His cart became stuck midair at an angle, leaving him tilted backward and to the right.
Causey claims he remained in that position for approximately one hour before the cart was returned to an upright position. The lawsuit describes the ride as a “defective product” and accuses Universal Studios of negligence, alleging the company failed to correct known issues with the ride despite being aware of the risks.
The suit states that Universal Studios had a duty to exercise reasonable care to prevent foreseeable harm to guests but instead created an “unreasonable risk” by allowing the ride to operate. Causey claims to have suffered various injuries, including physical pain, mental anguish, disability, scarring, and loss of enjoyment of life. The lawsuit further alleges that Causey has lost his ability to earn income due to the incident. He is also seeking damages for medical expenses, lost wages, and the aggravation of a preexisting condition.
His attorneys argue that the park prioritized profits over safety, stating in the complaint that Universal failed to fix the ride or adequately warn patrons, choosing instead to keep the attraction running to maintain ticket sales.
Separately, a second lawsuit was recently filed against Universal Studios involving the new Epic Universe theme park. A visitor claims she was injured on April 24 during a preview event after falling on a “poorly designed” staircase near the Yoshi’s Adventure ride.
Defective Roller Coasters
A roller coaster may be considered defective due to various reasons such as:
- Design flaws that make the ride inherently unsafe.
- Manufacturing defects, such as faulty components or poor assembly.
- Maintenance failures, where wear and tear go unaddressed.
- Inadequate safety features or warning systems.
Common causes of defects include the following:
- Poor engineering or construction
- Failure to inspect or repair ride components
- Software or control system malfunctions
- Operator errors due to lack of training
Defects in roller coasters can lead to:
- Abrupt stops, malfunctions, or derailments.
- Passengers being stranded or injured.
- Physical injuries like whiplash, broken bones, or head trauma.
- Psychological trauma such as anxiety or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
There are several entities that may be liable. They include:
- The amusement park (for negligent operation or maintenance).
- The ride manufacturer (for design/manufacturing flaws).
- Contractors or maintenance companies.
Injured parties may pursue claims for negligence, product liability, and premises liability. Victims can recover compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, future earnings, permanent disability or disfigurement, pain and suffering, and emotional distress
What Should I Do if I am Injured?
If you were injured by a defective roller coaster, you need to seek medical attention immediately. Even if you do not think you were hurt, seeing a doctor protects your legal rights. If you wait months to see a doctor or do not see one at all, the other party may argue that you were not injured.
You should also gather evidence. Document the incident by taking photos and notes of what happened. Witness statements from those who saw the incident can be helpful.
Also, make sure to report the injury to the park. They will want to document what happened so they can take appropriate action. Plus, an injury report can be useful for your claim.
If you wer seriously injured, you may want to consult a personal injury attorney experienced in amusement park accidents. These cases can be legally complex, involving multiple parties and specialized knowledge of product liability and premises liability law.
An experienced attorney can help by:
- Investigating whether the ride was defective or negligently maintained.
- Preserving critical evidence (like maintenance logs or ride footage).
- Navigating legal deadlines and insurance claims.
- Accurately calculating damages for medical costs, lost wages, and emotional distress.
Contact Us Today
A defective product can cause a lot of harm to a person. In this case, the victim suffered numerous damages due to the defective roller coaster.
The manufacturer of the product bears the most liability for putting this dangerous product in the marketplace. However, obtaining compensation is not easy. Get the help you need from a Florida product liability lawyer from Brill & Rinaldi, The Law Firm. Schedule a consultation today by filling out the online form or calling (954) 876-4344. We have offices in Weston, Coral Gables, and Daytona Beach.