Free Fall Accident Orlando Florida

A free fall accident is when an individual falls from a height without any means of support or restraint. This type of accident can occur in different settings, including but not limited to construction sites, industrial facilities, and outdoor recreational areas such as amusement parks.

Free fall accidents can be extremely dangerous and often result in serious injuries or even death. The severity of the injuries depends on several factors, such as the height of the fall, the surface the person lands on, and whether they wore any protective gear. 

Free fall accidents are not uncommon in Orlando, Florida. One example of such an accident that made headlines recently is the March 2022 incident that led to the death of a 14-year-old in Orlando. The teenager fell from the 400-foot ride and suffered several broken bones before succumbing to his injuries. A report released after the boy's death revealed that the ride operator had made some 'manual adjustments' to the ride's harness sensors, an action investigators believe contributed to the teenager's death.

If you have been involved in a free fall accident at an amusement park or elsewhere, you can take several steps to protect your health and legal rights. Here's an overview of what you should do:

Seek medical attention: The first and most important thing to do after any accident is to seek medical attention. This life-saving step is crucial, even if you don't feel like you were seriously injured. This is because some injuries, especially those that affect internal organs, may not be immediately noticeable but can cause complications later on.

Report the accident: Report the accident to the amusement park immediately. They may have a process in place for reporting such accidents. If they have such procedures, be sure to follow them. Also, you should request a copy of the incident report.

Document the scene: Take photos or videos of the accident scene if circumstances allow. This should also include any hazardous conditions or defective equipment you believe might have contributed to the accident. Also, take notes of the details of the incident, including the names of any witnesses.

Consult an experienced personal injury attorney: Contact a personal injury attorney as soon as possible. But not just any attorney; you need someone with experience handling free fall accidents, particularly those that occur at amusement parks, construction sites, etc. The attorney can evaluate the circumstances of your case and advise you on your legal options.

Preserve evidence: Do not change or eliminate any evidence related to the accident. Evidence, in this context, includes equipment, photos, or medical records. Your attorney can help you ensure that this evidence is preserved and used to strengthen your case.

Follow your doctor's orders: Failure to follow a doctor's directives is one of the most common reasons some free fall claims get denied by insurance companies. To avoid this, you should always follow your doctor's instructions and also attend all follow-up appointments. This can ensure that your injuries are properly diagnosed and treated while providing valuable documentation for your case.

In the unfortunate event that someone dies in a free fall accident, such an accident is usually considered a wrongful death case. In this case, the victim's surviving family members or eligible relatives may be entitled to file a lawsuit against the parties responsible for the accident.

Remember that the plaintiff usually bears the burden of proof in a wrongful death case. In other words, it is the plaintiff's responsibility to show that the defendant was negligent and that this negligence caused the death of their loved one. Such a claim usually involves a thorough investigation of the circumstances that led to the accident and may require the assistance of experts, including wrongful death attorneys, to establish liability.

Determining liability in a free fall accident at an amusement park can be complex. The issue of liability also depends on the specific circumstances of the accident. Let's discuss some examples of situations or parties that may be responsible for such an accident.

The amusement park operator has a legal duty to ensure that the rides are safe for riders. So, if they fail to properly maintain or inspect the ride to ensure it is safe, or if they allow an unsafe ride to operate, they may be liable for any injuries that occur.

Suppose a free fall accident occurs due to a defect in the design or manufacturing of the ride. In that case, the ride manufacturer may be held responsible for the accident.

In some cases, the rider may be found partially or fully responsible for a free fall accident. A good example of such a situation is if they (the rider) ignored safety rules or warnings, or if they intentionally engaged in dangerous behavior.

Liability for a free fall accident may also fall on other parties, such as contractors or maintenance workers who failed to properly maintain or repair the ride.

The bottom line is that each case is different, and the issue of liability will depend on the specific circumstances of that particular case. Therefore, it's important to consult an experienced amusement park accident attorney if you or a loved one has been injured in an amusement park. The attorney can help investigate the accident, gather evidence, and assess the legal options available to you.

Some of the most common injuries caused by free fall accidents include:

Head injuries: This is because the head is usually the first part of the body to hit the ground in these types of accidents. Such injuries can range from minor cuts and bruises to more severe injuries like concussions, skull fractures, and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs).

Spinal cord injuries: A free fall accident can cause severe damage to the spinal cord, resulting in partial or full paralysis.

Fractures and broken bones: Falling from a height may also lead to multiple fractures and broken bones, particularly in the arms, legs, and pelvis area.

Internal injuries: Some internal injuries, such as damage to the internal organs, internal bleeding, or damage to blood vessels, can also derive from such falls.

Soft tissue injuries: These include injuries such as sprains, strains, and contusions.

Psychological injuries: Examples of common psychological injuries caused by these accidents include post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression.

Yes, in most cases, you can. However, whether or not you can sue an amusement park in Orlando for a free fall accident depends on the circumstances of the case.

Let's say the accident occurred due to the amusement park's negligence. If that's the case, you may be able to file a lawsuit to recover damages for your injuries. On the other hand, you may be barred from recovery if you are 100% at fault for the accident or let the statute of limitations expire.

In Orlando and throughout Florida, the deadline (or statute of limitations) for filing a personal injury lawsuit arising from an amusement park accident is four years from the date of the accident, according to Florida Statute § 95.11(3)(a).  

However, there are exceptions to this deadline, such as when the injury is not discovered until later or in cases involving minors. However, it's always best to consult with a personal injury attorney with experience handling amusement park accidents as soon as possible after the incident to ensure that your case is filed promptly.

Bear in mind that if you fail to file your lawsuit before the statute of limitations expires could result in your case being dismissed by the court. As a result, you will not recover any compensation for your injuries.

In a free fall accident lawsuit, some of the damages that you may be able to recover include but are not limited to the following:

Medical expenses: Examples include hospital bills, doctor visits, surgery, medication, and rehabilitation.

Lost wages: You may recover lost wages if you cannot work due to your injuries. This could include compensation for both past and future wages.

Pain and suffering: This refers to the physical and emotional pain, discomfort, and distress you or your loved one experienced due to your injuries.

Disability or disfigurement: If your injuries have resulted in permanent or partial disability or disfigurement, you could recover compensation for its impact on your quality of life.

Loss of consortium: This refers to the loss of the ability to enjoy a normal relationship with your spouse or partner.

Here are the different ways a personal injury lawyer with experience handling such accidents can help:

The attorney can investigate the circumstances of the accident to determine who was at fault and other important factors. This process usually involves reviewing eyewitness accounts, security camera footage, maintenance logs, and other evidence.

Your lawyer can also help you understand the full extent of your damages, including medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and any other losses you may have suffered.

Once the attorney better understands the damages you sustained, they can negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf to try to reach a fair settlement.

However, suppose the negotiations fail to result in a fair settlement or the other party completely refuses to cooperate with your legal team. In that case, your lawyer can represent you in court and argue your case before a judge and jury.

Free fall accident claims are usually complicated. They are even more complex when the defendant is a big company. Having a lawyer is a great way to obtain the guidance and support you need throughout the legal process.

Let's take an amusement park as an example. Such businesses usually use various legal terms to protect them from liability. You'll find some of these terms in their tickets, receipts, waivers, and other documents. But, without an attorney, you may not know how best to navigate such hurdles and secure the compensation you deserve.

Pursuing a legal claim for your injuries and losses in a free fall accident can be a complex and challenging process. You'll likely encounter unprecedented challenges, not forgetting arrogant and selfish insurance companies that only care about protecting their own interests, regardless of the severity of your injuries.

This is why it's important to hire not just any personal injury lawyer but one with experience handling such accidents and dealing with powerful companies. If that's what you're looking for, don't hesitate to contact Morgan & Morgan, the largest injury firm in the country, for a free, no-obligation case evaluation.

We have recovered over $25 billion for our clients. You or your loved one could be next.