PREMISES LIABILITY

HILLSBOROUGH CIRCUIT COURT

A jury split liability between the Busch Gardens theme park and a patron after the woman was hit by an employee-activated rain tarp.

Rose Olivella, 34 at the time of the August 2015 incident, was running into a shop in a rain shower when a worker activated an automatic rain tarp and a steel bar struck her head. She claimed an intervertebral disc injury, residual pain and a continuing need for chiropractic treatment.

Busch Gardens contended Olivella was hurt when she attempted to run under the descending tarp. The jury found the parties were equally to blame, so its award of $191,168 was halved to $95,584.

Case: Olivella v. Seaworld Parks and Entertainment

Case No.: 17-CA-003381

Plaintiffs attorneys: James R. Wilson, Tampa, and Peter W. van den Boom, Lakeland, Morgan & Morgan

Defense attorneys: Robert L. Blank and Carie L. Hall, Rumberger, Kirk & Caldwell, Tampa