Memphis, TN Man Dies on Star Tours Ride

Memphis, TN Man Dies on Star Tours Ride at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

A 67 year old man recently died on a Star Wars-themed motion simulator ride while visiting a Walt Disney World Resort park.

The anonymous tourist hailed from Memphis, Tennessee and suffered a cardiac event while riding “Star Tours” at Disney’s Hollywood Studios theme park in Bay Lake, Florida. Disney reported the cause of death for the September 2016 incident as related to hypertensive cardiovascular disease, a previously diagnosed condition the decedent suffered from.

This death is the ninth high-profile amusement park fatality in the U.S. in the past 13 years. Not all of these theme park injury incidents involved liability or negligence on the part of the parks themselves, but they illustrate the need for park safety and a personal injury lawyer in the event of an incident.

While Deaths Are Rare, a Theme Park Injury is Common

Many stories about amusement park deaths seem to involve pre-existing health conditions or negligence on the part of the park guest. However, injury statistics paint a different picture of theme parks as the so-called happiest places on earth.

A National Safety Council report on 2014 amusement ride injuries, the most recent available data, reveals that 1,146 people informed park staff of ride-related injuries. While many of these injuries could have been described as minor bumps, bruises and pains, 111 were classified as “serious.”

Additionally, minor pains could become more severe conditions as time goes on if there happens to be damage to nerves, complications to existing conditions, or similar advanced developments.

Theme Park Liability in the Event of an Injury

Theme parks are often owned by corporate entities that are no stranger to liability. When they fulfill their due diligence correctly, they inform park guests of dangers through clear signage and liability statements typically posted near park entrances. For certain rides, guests may even be required to sign a waiver.

Not every park fulfills these duties properly, though, and those that do may still incur negligence through inconsistent — or sometimes grossly inadequate — safety practices.

An ongoing lawsuit recently approved to move forward by the New Jersey Supreme Court illustrates how questions of liability and negligence play out during park injury claims. This lawsuit relates to a 2007 park incident that left the accident victim paralyzed.

The plaintiff alleges that park staff failed to provide the needed signage and instruction to prevent his injury. If the jury or judge ruling on the case decides that, among other factors, the man could not have prevented his own injury as a “reasonably competent” person could, given the lack of information, they may lean closer towards his side of the issue.

Therefore, liability in theme park injuries is not limited to mere disclosures or signed waivers but also the actions of the park and how they contributed or did not contribute to the incident and the injury itself.

When You Need a Personal Injury Lawyer for a Theme Park Injury

A personal injury lawyer should always explore your case options any time a substantial injury or death results from a theme park accident. Even in the initial example above where there was a pre-existing condition, the actions of the park may affect the ability of victims or their survivors to recover compensation for their losses.

Also, since theme park operators will have a large, experienced legal team behind them, acquiring representation is just one necessary method for leveling the playing field.

If you or a close family member have been seriously injured during an amusement park incident, contact a theme park injury lawyer today. You can receive a free case evaluation and potentially start your case today by calling Hughes & Coleman Injury Lawyers at 800-800-4600 or using our convenient contact form below.