Busch Gardens and ZooTampa are both popular attractions in Tampa, Florida, drawing millions of visitors every year. While both are family-friendly, visiting them does not come without risk. Data on injuries at zoos isn’t readily available, but in a recent year, there were approximately 1,300 injuries from ride-related injuries at theme parks across the U.S. and Canada.
Here’s what you need to know about a business’s responsibility for maintaining safe premises for visitors.
What Are Common Hazards at Theme Parks and Zoos?
If you are planning on visiting Busch Gardens or ZooTampa, there are some common hazards that you should be aware of. Here’s a breakdown of hazards at each attraction.
Amusement Park Hazards
In addition to mechanical failures, other hazards that you should know about include:
- Improperly trained ride operators
- Poor maintenance
- Other guests who ignore safety instructions
- Overcrowding
- Loose cables and wet surfaces
Any one of these hazards, if ignored, can result in an accident.
Zoo Hazards
Since animals are kept in enclosures at zoos, you might think that they are relatively safe.
However, you should be vigilant for the following hazards:
- Steep stairways
- Unsafe viewing areas
- Cracked sidewalks
- Overcrowding
- Animals that have escaped from their enclosures
Understanding these common hazards can help you take safety precautions and enjoy your time at Busch Gardens or ZooTampa.
Premises Liability Law in Florida
In Florida, property owners have a duty to keep their property reasonably safe and warn visitors of known dangers. To apply this standard to theme parks and zoos, owners of these attractions are responsible for maintaining a safe environment for visitors. If a visitor is injured—whether from a malfunctioning ride at a theme park or an unsecured enclosure at a zoo—they can file a premises liability claim against the owner.
Most premises liability claims hinge upon negligence, which has four elements that must be established:
- Duty of Care: The property owner owed you a duty of care.
- Breach of Duty: The property owner did not act as a reasonable person would under the circumstances, breaching their duty of care
- Causation: The property owner’s conduct directly resulted in your injuries.
- Damages: You suffered actual losses (e.g., physical injuries, property damage, and pain and suffering) as a consequence of the property owner’s conduct.
A premises liability lawyer can help you pursue compensation for your damages after an accident.
Who Can Be Held Liable Besides a Property Owner in a Premises Liability Accident?
Besides property owners, other parties that can be held liable in premises liability cases include:
- Third-party contractors (e.g., ride technicians or animal care vendors)
- Employees (e.g., park staff or zookeepers)
- Product manufacturers (e.g., of ride parts or fencing materials)
We can help determine who could be accountable for your accident and injuries. In many cases, multiple parties are responsible.
Situations Where a Theme Park or Zoo May Not Be Liable
Not all accidents at theme parks and zoos are grounds for a legitimate claim.
Here are some scenarios where it may be difficult to prove liability:
- A guest climbed into an animal’s enclosure and was bitten.
- A guest was running on the sidewalk and tripped on their untied shoelaces.
- A guest unstrapped themselves, wriggled underneath the safety bar, and climbed out of a rollercoaster car.
- A guest threw their phone at an animal, which they destroyed.
In these cases, the guest’s actions are responsible for the accident, making it unlikely that a theme park or zoo will be deemed liable.
Contact the Tampa Premises Liability Law Firm of Roman Austin Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers for Help Today
For more information, please contact the legal team of Roman Austin Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers for a free initial consultation with a premises liability lawyer in Tampa. We have convenient locations in Florida: St. Petersburg, Safety Harbor, Clearwater, New Port Richey, and Tampa.
We serve throughout Pinellas County, Hillsborough County, Pasco County, and its surrounding areas:
Roman Austin Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers - Clearwater Office
1811 N. Belcher Road, Suite I-1
Clearwater, FL 33765
(727) 787-2500
Roman Austin Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers - Congress Ave Office
2360 Congress Avenue
Clearwater, FL 33763
(727) 591-5610
Roman Austin Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers - Tampa Office
6601 Memorial Hwy Suite 202
Tampa, FL 33615
(813) 686-7588
Roman Austin Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers - New Port Richey Office
2515 Seven Springs Blvd.
New Port Richey, FL, 34655
(727) 815-8442
Roman Austin Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers - St. Petersburg Law Office
840 Beach Dr NE Suite 202
St. Petersburg, FL 33701
(727) 787-2500
Roman Austin Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers - Safety Harbor Law Office
202 9th Ave S Suite A-2
Safety Harbor, FL 34695
(727) 787-2500
