• Sunscreen and water. Make sure to apply sun block and drink water often, especially for tourists who are not used to the Florida heat and sun.
• Avoid restricted areas. Any place that is fenced or gated off  is for a good reason. If you cross a barrier where you are not permitted, the park may not be liable for any injuries.
• Follow the rules. Safety rules and park guidelines are written for a reason, so make sure you and your children obey them. They are posted for your own safety.
• Stay inside the carts on rides. Be cautious of your arms, legs, hands, hair etc. There are many moving parts on rides and they can be dangerous. Hold on to handrails.
• Pay attention to restrictions. If you or your children are too small—or big—for a certain attraction, do not attempt to sneak on. This is simply asking for trouble.
• Stay in your seat. Don’t attempt to wiggle out or let your children move around. Remain seated until the ride comes to a complete stop. Make sure your safety bar or belt is secure.
• Don’t drink. Do not attempt to ride or visit an attraction under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
• Keep your eyes peeled. If any part of a ride or attraction does not appear to be functioning properly, alert the staff immediately. Better safe than sorry.

So keep these tips in mind when enjoying Orlando’s many attractions this year.

Wooten, Kimbrough & Normand, P.A.—Orlando personal injury attorneys.

In Florida, these parks are required to report their safety and accident statistics to the state each year. This information is made available to the public annually. According to the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractons, 280 million guests visited amusement parks in the United States and rode on over 1.7 billion rides. Patrons suffered a total of 1,086 reported injuries on these rides. 65 of the injuries were considered “serious,” which is classified by whether or not the victim stayed at least one night in a hospital. Serious injuries made up for 6% of all theme park ride injuries.

If you are a victim of a theme park injury, you will want to immediately consult an attorney who has experience with these parks and their complicated laws. You may be entitled to damages and other compensation.

Wooten, Kimbrough and Normand, P.A.—Orlando personal injury attorneys.

• The US Coast Guard responded to 4,730 accidents in 2009. 736 of these involved a fatalities and 3,358 caused injuries.
• Boat accidents caused $36 million in property damage in 2009.
• 75% of all the fatal accidents in 2009 involved a drowning victim. 84% of the victims were not wearing a life jacket.
• 70% of drowning victims were on boat 21 feet or less.
• Only 14% of fatal accidents occurred with a boat driver who had received some sort of boating safety instruction.
• Alcohol is the leading contributing factor in fatal boat accidents.
• Operator inattention, inexperience, excessive speed, failure to look out and alcohol are the top five factors in fatal accidents.

So keep these facts in mind this year as you enjoy the Florida waters and sun. Do not drink and boat, follow the law, wear a life jacket and pay attention.

Wooten, Kimbrough & Normand, P.A.—Orlando wrongful death attorneys.

A: Please keep in mind that I can only respond based on the information in your question, and my answer is not legal advice. With that being said, it sounds like you do have a case. The restaurant at Walt Disney World is responsible for your medical bills as well as any general damages, including pain and suffering. You should look to retain an attorney in Orlando, particularly one who specializes in tourist injuries.

Wooten, Kimbrough & Normand, P.A.—Orlando personal injury attorneys.

PWC’s are smaller, quicker and easier to navigate. Timothy C. Nies, contributor at Avvo.com, cites a University of Florida study that shows how PWC accidents can cause more serious injuries than other boats.

“Most PWC injuries are caused when an operator or passenger is thrown off the vessel at high speeds,” says Nies.

Remember to always read the owner’s manual before operating a PWC and enroll in a PWC safety course. Avoid crowded areas, especially before you are experienced. Always wear a lifejacket and keep the engine cut-off lanyard around your wrist.

Keep these tips in mind before you take off on a PWC. Have you or a loved one been injured in a boating accident?

Wooten, Kimbrough & Normand, P.A.—Orlando personal injury attorneys.

“The driver over-corrected, causing him to cross into the southbound lane,” said the Texas Department of Public Safety. He was on his way home to Jacksonville. He has spent the day with the team delivering gifts to families at a local shelter after a morning football practice.

“Joey always had a smile on his face and had such a positive influence on everyone,” said Texas A&M Athletic Director Bull Byrne. “This is a sad day for Texas A&M and our hearts are broken for his family, his teammates and his friends.”

Vallavisencio was a radiological health engineer major. His loss is deeply felt in both the Jacksonville and Texas A&M communities.

“Although his life on this Earth was way too short, his impact on the people he met will be everlasting,” said Aggies Head Coach Mike Sherman. “I will never forget him.”

Have you or a loved one been injured or killed in a truck accident?

Wooten, Kimbrough & Normand, P.A.—Orlando wrongful death attorneys.

“We have to do something,” Jackson told the Collier County transportation planning agency. “No one should have to go through what I went through or what my grandson’s gone through.”

The traffic light will not be up for a few months, and community officials are trying to come up with a short-term solution in the mean time.

“For six years, we have been trying to get a light there,” said Donna Fiala, commissioner of the Eagle Lakes community where the accident occurred. “I see people with stroller try to cross there all the time. “And Eagle Lakes is the most utilized park in the county parks system. We need a light now.”

The Department of Transportation says they need to meet requirements before the light can go up, and it is a process. There were 30 accidents at the intersection between 2009 and 2011, according to the Collier County Sheriff’s Office. They plan on putting up signs posting drivers’ speed as a warning until the traffic light is approved.

Have you or a loved one been injured in a car accident?

Wooten, Kimbrough & Normand, P.A.—Orlando personal injury attorneys.

The name of the man is not available to the public at this time. Two passengers were in the boat as well but suffered minor injuries. When the boat hit a rock, the man was severely injured and the other passengers contacted the Coast Guard. The Coast Guard and another boat responded but the driver was pronounced dead on the scene.

“They were unfamiliar with the area,” said Gorchess. “I believe that they thought they were coming back in Carolina Beach Inlet, which doesn’t have a rock jetty.”

Have you or a loved one been injured or killed in a boating accident?

Wooten, Kimbrough & Normand, P.A.—Orlando wrongful death attorneys.

According to reports, Miller tried to claim the incident was an accident. The woman’s husband and Disney park security apprehended Miller as he tried to flee. Disney said that Miller had previously been banned from their facilities, although they did not say why.

How was Miller able to get back into the park if he was banned? Had Disney caught him doing this before possibly and failed to notify police? Should Disney be held accountable for these types of sexual assaults and possible tourist injuries if they had previous knowledge of this man’s behavior?

Wooten, Kimbrough & Normand, P.A.—Orlando personal injury attorneys.

According to the Orlando Sentinel, one of the injuries at Universal Orlando involved a man from Puerto Rico was struck by something in his eye while on the Dragon Challenge roller coaster.  The victim’s lawyer claimed that the man suffered a lacerated eye and ultimately had to have it removed.  The Sentinel reported that Universal listed the injury in the state report as ‘eye discomfort.’  Another 61-year old woman at Walt Disney World fell and broke her leg on the Haunted Mansion.

Are these injuries just a normal part of the industry, or do you think they should be doing more to prevent potential tourist injuries?

Wooten, Kimbrough & Normand, P.A.—Orlando injury attorney.