Almost six-months to the day after a SeaWorld of Florida trainer was killed by a 6-ton killer whale as park guests watched, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited the theme park for three safety violations, totally $75,000 in fines, ESHtoday.com reports. Sea World plans to challenge the allegations.
Whether spinning on a tilt-a-whirl at the local fair, visiting Disney World on your dream vacation, or just heading in for another day of work at a local tourist attraction, it's up to the owners and managers of Florida's many theme parks to provide you with a fun - and safe - environment where risk of an amusement park accident is at a minimum.
In this case, the trainer was dragged into the water and drown on Feb. 24 in front of a crowd of people. The six-ton killer whale had a history of aggression and had previously killed a trainer in Canada.
"SeaWorld recognized the inherent risk of allowing trainers to interact with potentially dangerous animals," said Cindy Coe, OSHA's regional administrator in Atlanta, Ga. "Nonetheless, it required its employees to work within the pool walls, on ledges and on shelves where they were subject to dangerous behavior by the animals."
Just what are the odds that a guest may wind up hurt while visiting one of Florida's theme parks? In March 2009, the Orlando Sentinel tried to figure it out.
News staff reviewed 477 lawsuits filed between 2004-2008 against Disney World, Universal Orlando and Busch Gardens and found that 218 cases involved on-site slip-and-falls, 111 cases involved incidents on rides or attractions, and 158 lawsuits involved incidents occurring "in shops, during shows or on streets or on sidewalks".
Considering about 50 million people visit the Orlando-area each year, mostly to visit area theme parks, chances are the worst thing a theme park visitor will suffer is a bit of heat stroke and some sore feet. But if you are injured working at or visiting one of Florida's amusement attractions, the attorneys at the Hollander Law Firm are available for a free and confidential appointment to discuss your rights.
There are never any fees or costs associated with representing you unless we are successful in making a financial recovery on behalf of you and your family. Offices in Boca Raton @ 561-347-7770, Naples @ 239-774-7779 and Fort Myers @ 239-337-7070.
