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Walt Disney Disaster Essay

Decent Essays

Sometimes people in Florida, and elsewhere, participate in activities or events that they know are dangerous. This may include running in a race, skydiving or even riding a horse, among other activities. In order to protect themselves, the businesses, organizations or people running such events may require participants to sign liability waivers. Should they suffer serious injuries after signing, however, their options for recourse and restitution may be limited.

Man injured at Walt Disney World

Orlando Weekly reported that a 22-year-old man was injured in 2006 while attending a trade show at Walt Disney World’s Wide World of Sports. While at the event, an advertising balloon was purportedly blown down by the wind and struck him in the head. Although stunned, the man …show more content…

When his neurological symptoms continued and worsened after he returned home, the man sought medical treatment. He was diagnosed with post-concussive syndrome. Since he had signed the tournament’s liability waiver, however, the event’s organizers and Disney reportedly claimed that they were not responsible for his injury, or the resulting damages.

Appeals court ruling

According to the Orlando Weekly report, the tournament had a liability policy for the event. However, the man’s claim was denied because he was injured at the trade show, and not during the tournament itself. In 2010, he took legal action against the park, the organizers of the event and a one of the vendors at the event, among others. His lawsuit was reportedly dismissed based on the liability waiver.

Recently, the Orlando Sentinel reported that the 5th District Court of Appeal reversed that court’s decision. As a result, the man will be able to pursue his lawsuit, and have his day in court. While Disney did have the option to seek a review from the Florida Supreme Court, it has reportedly decided not to take that step.

Impact of the

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