Five visitors to Universal Orlando have initiated separate lawsuits against the theme park’s parent company, citing “severe and permanent injuries” sustained on the Stardust Racers roller coaster at Epic Universe. The lawsuits, filed on Thursday, follow a tragic incident where a man died after riding the same attraction.
One plaintiff, Debbie Reinelt from North Carolina, claims that she sought medical attention due to dizziness, nausea, and headaches after riding the coaster during a preview event on May 5, shortly before the park’s grand opening. The other plaintiffs include Breanna Bradford from Florida, Bonita Freeman from Virginia, Jason Rodriguez from Florida, and Brittany Smiley from Ohio.
Universal Orlando has declined to comment specifically on these ongoing legal matters. However, their spokesperson reiterated the company’s standard practice of not discussing pending litigation.
The lawsuits come on the heels of a report from the Orange County Sheriff’s Office regarding the death of Kevin Rodriguez Zavala, who was found unresponsive after exiting the ride on September 17. The report highlighted that Rodriguez Zavala, who had spinal atrophy and used a wheelchair, suffered a broken femur that potentially led to a fatal incident when he reportedly came out of his seat and hit his head on a metal bar.
Interestingly, social media posts from a woman with the same name as Reinelt, indicating she had a fun day at the park without mentioning any serious injuries, have sparked questions about the validity of claims being made. Reinelt’s attorney, Nicholas Spetsas, represents all five plaintiffs and has a history of similar cases, having previously settled a lawsuit on behalf of Sandi Streets, who alleged severe injury from the same roller coaster.
Despite the unfortunate incidents and ongoing litigation, neither Rodriguez Zavala’s family nor Mack Rides, the German manufacturer of Stardust Racers, issued statements regarding the lawsuits. The hope remains that these cases prompt a thorough review of safety protocols at theme parks, ensuring that visitor safety is prioritized moving forward.