What Are My Options if I Get Injured at the Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park in Fort Walton Beach?
Paul Brannon | September 13, 2024 | Personal Injury
Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park has been one of the top attractions in Fort Walton Beach, Florida, since 1955. It was founded by marine researcher J.B. Siebenaler to display marine life in a way that was new to the region. It was then sold to developers and incorporated by a group of local residents and scientists.
The park offers unique wildlife experiences, performances, and encounters with harbor seals, sea lions, dolphins, manatees, penguins, stingrays, and more. The newest attraction is the brand-new dolphin habitat, Dolphin Oasis.
Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park was the first park with a dolphin habitat that included windows above and below the surface of the water. Today, it’s one of America’s oldest remaining marine parks.
A visit to the park should be a fun and memorable experience. However, an accident can change that very quickly. If you have been hurt at Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park, you may have legal options available to you.
What Is Negligence?
Injuries are not as common at Florida aquariums as they are at theme parks with rides, but injuries can still happen. If your injury was caused by someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and more.
To prove negligence, you will need to show:
- You were owed a duty of care,
- The other party breached their duty of care,
- This breach caused your injuries, and
- You suffered damages as a result
You may still have a claim even if no one was negligent or careless. Florida law allows parties to be held strictly liable for injuries in certain cases.
What if the Park Is Responsible for Your Injuries?
Under Florida’s premises liability law, property owners can be held liable for injuries that occur on their property. To be held liable, the visitor must have been hurt by a hazardous condition the owner knew about or should have known about.
Many premises liability cases involve slip and fall accidents.
Common scenarios include:
- Slippery surfaces and spills
- A lack of anti-slip mats where water tends to accumulate
- Poorly maintained flooring that becomes a trip hazard
- Damaged or poorly maintained stairways
The park may also be liable for other types of accidents. For example, they may be liable if you are injured by an animal at the park. The park can also be liable for injuries caused by negligent hiring and training practices.
Can Employees Be Liable?
As a general rule, the park is not liable for the actions of its employees when they are not operating within the scope of their employment. If an employee causes your injury through assault or carelessness when they were not on the job and performing work duties, the park won’t be liable. However, the employee may be held responsible.
Private Event Hosts and Vendors May Be Held Accountable
If your injury was caused by the negligence of a third-party vendor on the property, they may be liable for your damages. Vendors may be responsible for causing a dangerous condition such as a spill that isn’t cleaned up promptly.
Vendors are more likely to be involved in accidents involving private events at the park. Private event hosts can also be held responsible for injuries caused by their own negligence while they are in control of the premises.
Product Manufacturers
Manufacturers can be held liable for injuries caused by defective products under Florida’s product liability law. Products are defective when there are serious flaws in warning, design, or manufacturing that make the product unsafe when used in a reasonable manner.
Steps To Take if You Are Hurt At Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park
As soon as possible, seek medical attention for your injuries then report your accident to the park. Make sure you preserve any evidence and take photos of the scene and relevant conditions, if possible. Get contact information for any witnesses to your accident.
The next step is contacting an experienced personal injury lawyer to discuss your case. A lawyer can help you explore your options to hold the at-fault party accountable and get the care you need.
Contact a Fort Walton Beach personal injury attorney today to discuss your case and what they can do to help.
Contact Our Personal Injury Law Firm in Northwest Florida
If you need legal assistance, contact the Fort Walton Beach personal injury lawyers at Brannon & Brannon Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers at your nearest location to schedule a free consultation today.
We have two convenient locations in Northwest Florida:
Brannon & Brannon Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers – Fort Walton Beach Office
975 Mar Walt Dr
Fort Walton Beach, FL 32547
(850) 863-5297
Brannon & Brannon Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers – Destin Office
4507 Furling Ln Suite 214
Destin, FL 32541
(850) 790-0243