Universal Orlando Resort is facing legal action after Sandi Streets filed a negligence lawsuit, claiming she sustained permanent injuries on a roller coaster at the freshly launched Epic Universe theme park. The lawsuit, submitted shortly after the death of another patron, Kevin Rodriguez Zavala, who suffered blunt impact injuries on the same ride, highlights growing safety concerns surrounding amusement park attractions.
Streets alleges that during the high-speed ride, her head was violently shaken, causing it to slam against the headrest, which resulted in lasting injuries. The lawsuit accuses the park of failing to properly secure passengers and neglecting to warn them about potential dangers associated with the roller coaster. Streets’ legal representation indicates that her injuries have led to disability, hefty medical expenses, and impacted her ability to work.
Despite the tragic parallel to Zavala’s case, wherein a medical examiner noted the cause of death as multiple blunt impact injuries, Universal’s internal assessment revealed no faults with the ride’s systems or procedural lapses on the part of their staff. These findings are mirrored by preliminary investigations from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
While Zavala’s family has yet to pursue legal remedies, they challenge the conclusions drawn by the resort and investigators, seeking to understand the circumstances leading to his untimely death. Zavala, who had a spinal disability and used a wheelchair, reportedly did not have his disability cited as a cause of death.
This legal clash is set against a broader backdrop of increasing scrutiny over amusement ride safety. Previous incidents from other festivals, including ride malfunctions causing smoke emissions and perilous situations for riders, have spurred public debate about accountability and the adequacy of existing safety regulations.
As these cases draw significant media attention, they underscore urgent calls to action for industry stakeholders and regulatory bodies. Ensuring that safety measures are strictly enforced and continually assessed remains crucial in preventing such accidents and fostering public confidence in the safety of amusement rides.