Orlando, FL — Woman Struck by Duck on SeaWorld Roller Coaster Files Lawsuit: What Injured Theme Park Visitors Need to Know

Orlando, FL (October 30th, 2025) – A Florida woman is suing SeaWorld Orlando for damages after she was allegedly struck in the face by a duck while riding the Mako roller coaster, leaving her unconscious and with permanent injuries and disfigurement. The lawsuit claims SeaWorld created a “zone of danger” by operating the high-speed coaster near water and failing to protect guests from foreseeable bird strikes—an incident the plaintiff’s attorney says was not the first of its kind this year.

This case raises critical questions about theme park liability and the rights of injured guests to seek compensation when attractions pose unreasonable risks. If you have been injured while visiting a Florida theme park, contact our premises liability lawyers at Light & Wyatt Law Group to discuss your options and next steps. Call 727-499-9900 to schedule a free consultation.

Understanding the SeaWorld Duck Strike Incident

In March 2025, a woman was riding the Mako coaster at SeaWorld Orlando when a duck allegedly flew into the path of the roller coaster, striking her in the face and knocking her unconscious. According to her injury complaint against SeaWorld, the woman suffered injuries that have had lasting consequences.

The injured park guest is seeking more than $50,000 in damages for permanent physical injuries, disfigurement, mental pain and suffering, and medical expenses.

The Severity of the Mako Roller Coaster

Understanding the circumstances of this incident requires recognizing the extreme forces involved. The Mako is a hyper coaster that reaches speeds of up to 73 miles per hour and heights of up to 200 feet. At such velocities, even a collision with a small bird can result in significant impact force—similar to the dangers of bird strikes on aircraft.

Premises Liability and Dangerous Conditions

The lawsuit alleges several key failures on SeaWorld’s part that form the basis of potential premises liability claims. These allegations provide important insights for anyone injured at a theme park or similar venue.

Failure to Maintain Safe Premises

The complaint alleges that SeaWorld failed to keep its premises in a reasonably safe condition and did not warn visitors about dangerous property conditions at the park. Under Florida premises liability law, property owners have a duty to maintain their property in a safe condition and to warn visitors of hazards that are not obvious.

Theme parks must take reasonable steps to identify and address dangers that could harm guests. When they fail to do so, they may be held legally responsible for resulting injuries.

Allegations of Creating a Zone of Danger

Perhaps most significantly, the complaint alleges that SeaWorld created a zone of danger for bird strikes by operating a high-speed coaster near a body of water and designing a ride that disorients waterfowl, increasing the risk of collision. This allegation suggests the park’s design choices may have directly contributed to the dangerous condition.

If proven, this could demonstrate that SeaWorld had actual or constructive knowledge of the danger. In premises liability cases, showing that a property owner knew or should have known about a hazard is crucial to establishing liability.

Pattern of Incidents: Prior Knowledge and Foreseeability

One of the most compelling aspects of this case is the allegation that this was not an isolated incident. According to the attorney representing the injured park guest, this was not the first reported bird collision on a SeaWorld roller coaster this year.

In fact, just last month, a Hillsborough family filed a lawsuit alleging their child was hit in the face by an object while riding the Mako coaster in March. The existence of prior similar incidents can be critical evidence in establishing that a danger was foreseeable and that the property owner should have taken corrective action.

In personal injury law, foreseeability is a key element in determining negligence. If SeaWorld knew about previous bird strikes or object collisions on the same ride, they may have had a duty to implement safety measures such as protective barriers, netting, or modified ride paths.

What Theme Park Injury Victims Should Know About Their Rights

If you or a loved one has been injured at a theme park, understanding your legal rights is essential to protecting your ability to seek compensation.

Theme Parks Have a Duty of Care

Theme parks owe visitors a duty to maintain reasonably safe premises. To this end, they should:

• Perform regular inspections and maintenance of rides and facilities
• Issues warnings to guests of known hazards
• Provide training to staff on how to respond to emergencies
• Design attractions that minimize foreseeable risks

When theme parks breach this duty and injuries result, they may be held liable for injuries.

Time Limits Apply to Personal Injury Claims

In Florida, the statute of limitations for personal injury cases is generally two years from the date of injury. Therefore, you have a limited window to file a lawsuit. Waiting too long can result in losing your right to seek compensation entirely.

Early consultation with a premises liability attorney may help ensure the preservation of critical evidence, and make sure your claim gets filed within the allowed timeframe.

Types of Compensation Available in Theme Park Injury Cases

Victims of theme park injuries may be entitled to various forms of compensation, depending on the circumstances and severity of their injuries.

Medical Expenses: These include the costs of emergency treatment, hospitalization, surgery, rehabilitation, prescription medications, and future medical care related to the injury.

Lost Wages: If your injury caused you to miss work, you may recover compensation for lost income. You may also obtain compensation for the loss of future earning capacity if your injuries result in long-term disability.

Pain and Suffering: Physical pain, emotional distress, anxiety, depression, and loss of enjoyment of life are all compensable in personal injury cases.

Disfigurement and Scarring: Permanent physical changes resulting from an injury, such as those alleged in the SeaWorld case, can significantly impact a victim’s quality of life and may warrant substantial compensation. 

Punitive Damages: In cases involving gross negligence or intentional misconduct, Florida law may allow for punitive damages designed to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar conduct.

The Broader Implications for Theme Park Safety

The SeaWorld duck strike lawsuit raises broader questions about theme park safety standards and design. As parks compete to create faster, taller, and more thrilling attractions, they must also ensure that speed and excitement don’t come at the expense of guest safety.

Cases like this one may prompt parks to reassess ride placement, implement additional protective measures, or modify attractions to minimize foreseeable hazards. Litigation serves not only to compensate injured victims, but also to drive industry-wide safety improvements.

Protecting Your Rights After a Theme Park Injury

Whether your injury involves an unusual circumstance like a bird strike or a more common theme park accident, you deserve to have your rights protected. Theme parks must be held accountable when their negligence causes harm to guests who trusted them to provide a safe experience.

If you or someone you love has suffered injuries at a theme park, don’t assume your situation is too unusual or that a major corporation is too powerful to hold responsible. Every case deserves thorough evaluation by a qualified personal injury attorney who can assess the merits of your claim and fight for the compensation you deserve. To discuss your rights and how best to proceed, contact our premises liability lawyers at Light & Wyatt Law Group in Clearwater. Call 727-499-9900.

Jim Magazine

James (Jim) Magazine is a Florida Board Certified Civil Trial lawyer who has spent his career helping injured victims. Jim is licensed to practice law in the State of Florida since 1990 and is also admitted to practice at the Appellate level and admitted to the United States Supreme Court.

Years of Experience: More than 30 years
Florida Registration Status: Active
Bar Admissions:
Clearwater Bar Association
West Pasco Bar Association