Tampa, Florida – A recent incident at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay has culminated in a substantial legal settlement, spotlighting the safety measures of theme parks nationwide. In 2022, during the park’s Howl-O-Scream event, a 12-year-old boy suffered severe injuries after accessing an acrobatic area unsupervised.
The boy, who was separated from his family, wandered into the Stanleyville Theater, where he gained access to a trampoline meant for professional acrobats. After jumping on the trampoline, he fell, resulting in blunt force trauma that severely damaged his liver and kidneys, among other injuries. The accident has left him needing continuous renal protective measures throughout his future.
Responding to the family’s allegations of negligence, a legal battle ensued against the park for failing to secure the area adequately. Nearly one and a half years later, in March 2023, the case reached a resolution. The court decided that while Busch Gardens was predominantly at fault for leaving the area accessible, the family also bore partial responsibility for the child’s actions at the time of the incident.
The jury awarded the family an $8.15 million verdict, but due to the shared liability—with Busch Gardens deemed 65% responsible and the family 35%—the actual compensation amount was adjusted to approximately $5.3 million. The verdict reflects complexities in cases where both parties share some level of fault.
Attorneys representing the family, from the law firm Morgan & Morgan, emphasized the permanent impact of the park’s oversight on the young boy’s health and quality of life. “A young child will now have to endure renal protective measures for the rest of his life, limiting what he can eat, what sports he can play, and what medications he can take,” expressed John Morgan, founder of Morgan & Morgan.
The incident forms part of a broader narrative of challenges faced by Busch Gardens Tampa Bay in recent times. In the summer of 2024, the park was again in the headlines due to a violent brawl, spurred by an online-called “takeover.” In response, the park ramped up security measures, allowing them to avoid similar incidents during the subsequent Fourth of July weekend.
Following these security issues, the park demonstrated resilience by unveiling new attractions such as the Phoenix Rising family coaster. Additionally, plans are underway to replace the longstanding Scorpion coaster with a new attraction, signaling ongoing investment in the park’s future.
Despite these tumultuous events affecting its operations, Busch Gardens and its parent company, United Parks and Resorts, showed a promising three percent increase in attendance in the second quarter of 2024. This recovery is pivotal as the company looks forward to releasing a full financial report early next year.
These developments highlight the continuous challenges and adaptations within the theme park industry, balancing guest safety with innovative entertainment offerings. As Busch Gardens Tampa Bay navigates these complexities, the implications of their safety practices and the recent court verdict will likely influence industry standards nationwide.
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