Is Walt Disney World Liable for Alligator Attack That Killed Small Child?
After the recent alligator attack at Florida’s Walt Disney World Resort that left a two-year-old child dead, legal experts have wondered whether Disney would be liable in a potential lawsuit for wrongful death. Now it appears that the popular company may, in fact, be exposed in a civil suit after revelations that management at the Orlando theme park was well aware of previous incidents and unsafe conditions involving alligators and park guests.
One former employee at the theme park said that Disney executives understood the dangers posed by the alligators and “did not act in a proactive manner.” According to the ex-worker, Disney knew that guests were getting too close to the alligators, and that the gators were becoming “desensitized” to the humans, but failed to take appropriate action to remedy the problem.
Early Warning Signs of Dangers Posed by Alligators at Disney World
One of the primary “danger” spots at the Disney resort is a section of rooms at the Grand Floridian Hotel. The rooms, known as the Bora Bora Bungalows, are located on top of the Seven Seas Lagoon, which is the body of water where the two-year-old child was recently dragged to his death.
Guests staying at the bungalows often encounter the alligators, with at least a few of the guests reportedly feeding the dangerous animals as they swim past the rooms. In fact, one of the major selling points of the bungalows is that they bring guests closer to the wildlife on display at the Disney resort.
One Disney worker went to the media and spoke anonymously about the dangers posed by alligators at the Florida resort. The employee said that people in management positions at Disney have “known about the problem of guests feeding the alligators well-prior to the opening of the bungalows.”
For additional information about this tragic incident, view the AOL.com article, “Gator Attack: Disney Knew of Problems, Staffer Asked for Fence at Lagoon.”
If you suffered an injury, or lost a loved one, as a result of someone else’s negligence, you should speak with a qualified personal injury and premises liability lawyer immediately. The New Jersey wrongful death attorneys at Drazin and Warshaw, P.C. have more than 70 years of combined experience helping victims and their families in these types of cases. Contact us now to schedule a free consultation.
