What To Do If You’re Injured At A Florida Water Park—Your Legal Rights

Florida’s water parks are world-renowned for their thrilling slides, lazy rivers, and wave pools that promise fun for the whole family. But amid the excitement, accidents can happen—and when they do, visitors are often left unsure of their rights and next steps. From slip-and-falls on slick walkways to ride malfunctions and near-drownings, injuries at water parks can quickly turn a summer day into a traumatic experience.

At Mickey Keenan, P.A., we understand how overwhelming this situation can be. This guide will walk you through what to do immediately after a water park injury, who may be liable, and how to protect your right to compensation.

Common Water Park Injuries & Who’s Responsible

Water parks have a duty to maintain a safe environment for all guests. When they fail in that duty, injuries can happen. Common accidents include:

Slip-and-falls on wet walkways, restrooms, or food areas
Drowning or near-drowning incidents, especially involving children
Ride malfunctions that cause falls, impacts, or entrapment
Cuts or abrasions from poorly maintained surfaces or equipment
Heat exhaustion due to lack of shaded areas or hydration stations

In most cases, the park operator may be held responsible if it’s shown that they were negligent in maintaining the premises, staffing the rides, or responding to hazards. Other potentially liable parties may include maintenance contractors, ride manufacturers, or security providers.

What To Do Immediately After An Injury

Get Medical Attention Right Away
Even if the injury seems minor, get evaluated by on-site medical personnel and consider following up at a hospital or urgent care center. Delayed symptoms are common with concussions, spinal injuries, and internal damage.
Report the Incident to Park Staff
Ask for a written incident report and get the names of any employees you speak to. This creates a formal record of what happened, which is crucial later on.
Take Photos and Videos
Document the scene of the accident—especially any wet or hazardous surfaces, malfunctioning equipment, or lack of signage. Photograph your injuries, too.
Get Contact Information from Witnesses
Bystanders can provide critical testimony about what occurred. Ask for their name, phone number, and email address.
Avoid Signing Anything Without Legal Review
Parks may ask you to sign statements or waivers after an injury. Don’t sign anything until you’ve consulted with a personal injury attorney.

When You Should File A Claim

If your injuries required medical care, caused missed work, or led to lasting pain or disability, it’s worth exploring legal action. You may be eligible to file a premises liability claim to recover:

Medical expenses (both current and future)
Lost wages or reduced earning capacity
Pain and suffering
Emotional distress

To succeed in your claim, your attorney will need to prove that the water park was negligent and that their negligence directly caused your injury. This may involve:

Showing that the park failed to fix or warn of a hazard
Demonstrating that staff failed to follow safety procedures
Using witness statements or video footage to confirm events

At Mickey Keenan, P.A., we know how to investigate these cases thoroughly and build a strong argument on your behalf. Don’t wait too long—Florida law limits the time you have to file a personal injury lawsuit.

Legal Standards For Proving Negligence

In a Florida water park injury case, the legal concept most commonly used is premises liability, which is based on the idea that property owners must keep their premises reasonably safe for visitors. In practical terms, proving negligence requires showing:

A duty of care existed
There was a breach of that duty
That breach caused your injury
You suffered actual damages

Working with a personal injury attorney can help you collect and present the right evidence, including medical records, maintenance logs, and video surveillance footage.

Common Defenses Water Parks May Use

Even if you’ve been seriously hurt, the park and its insurance company may try to deny or reduce your claim. Some common defenses include:

You ignored posted warnings (e.g., “No Running”)
You were engaging in risky behavior
The injury was an assumed risk of a recreational activity

An experienced attorney can anticipate these arguments and prepare a strategy to counter them.

When A Child Is Injured At A Water Park

Children are particularly vulnerable to injury at water parks. They may not recognize risks or respond quickly in emergencies. If your child is injured:

You may file a claim on their behalf
The park is held to a higher duty of care for child safety
An attorney can help review waivers and assess what went wrong

Mickey Keenan, P.A. has extensive experience helping families pursue justice for their children’s injuries.

How Much Compensation Can You Expect?

Compensation depends on the severity of the injury, but you may recover:

Emergency and long-term medical costs
Lost income
Pain and suffering
Emotional trauma
Future treatment or therapy
Long-term disability

Never accept a quick settlement without first consulting our Tampa, FL personal injury lawyer.

Don’t Let An Injury At A Water Park Drain Your Summer

An unexpected injury at a water park can leave you with more than just medical bills—it can impact your work, your peace of mind, and your family’s well-being. The good news? You don’t have to face it alone.

If you or your loved one has been injured at a Florida water park, contact our team at Mickey Keenan, P.A.. We’ll help you understand your rights and fight for the compensation you deserve—so you can focus on healing and getting back to making happy memories.