A new lawsuit has been filed against Universal City Development regarding injuries a woman claims she sustained on the Stardust Racers roller coaster at Epic Universe. This legal action was initiated on Wednesday, April 30, before the park's official opening. The lawsuit states the ride lacked proper head restraints, causing severe and permanent injuries to the plaintiff.
Key Takeaways
- A woman is suing Universal City Development over injuries from the Stardust Racers roller coaster.
- The lawsuit claims the ride lacked proper head restraints, leading to violent head shaking and impact.
- This legal action is separate from the recent death of Kevin Rodriguez Zavala on the same ride.
- The plaintiff rode the coaster as a business invitee approximately three weeks before the park's public opening.
- Universal Orlando Resort maintains its investigation showed the ride functioned correctly during the separate incident involving Mr. Rodriguez Zavala.
Allegations of Improper Head Restraints
The lawsuit details specific concerns about the Stardust Racers attraction. The plaintiff asserts that the roller coaster did not have adequate head restraints. This alleged deficiency led to her head shaking violently and repeatedly hitting the seat's headrest throughout the ride's duration.
According to the legal filing, these issues resulted in "severe and permanent bodily injuries, pain and suffering, disability, physical impairment, mental anguish, inconvenience, [and] loss of capacity for the enjoyment of life in the past and future." The woman is seeking financial damages and has requested a jury trial to resolve the matter.
Fact Check
- The lawsuit was filed on April 30, 2025.
- The plaintiff rode the Stardust Racers as a business invitee.
- This ride is part of Universal's new Epic Universe theme park.
Incident Pre-Dates Public Opening
The plaintiff's ride on the Stardust Racers occurred on April 30. This date is approximately three weeks before the official opening of Epic Universe. She was present at the park as a business invitee, suggesting she may have been part of a preview event, media day, or other pre-opening access group.
Theme parks often conduct extensive testing and preview periods for new attractions. These periods allow for operational adjustments and staff training before public access. However, legal claims can still arise from incidents during these pre-opening phases.
Background on Epic Universe
Epic Universe is Universal Orlando Resort's newest theme park, representing a significant expansion. It is set to feature multiple themed lands, including areas based on Harry Potter, Super Nintendo World, and Universal Monsters. The Stardust Racers is one of its highly anticipated roller coaster attractions, designed to offer high-speed thrills.
Unrelated to Recent Fatal Incident
This lawsuit is distinct from a separate, tragic incident that occurred earlier this month on the same Stardust Racers roller coaster. Kevin Rodriguez Zavala, 32, died after experiencing multiple blunt impact injuries on the ride. His family has retained attorney Ben Crump and held a press conference to seek answers regarding his death.
During their press conference, Mr. Crump and the Rodriguez Zavala family stated they are currently seeking information and have not yet filed a lawsuit in their case. The president and chief operating officer of Universal Orlando Resort, Karen Irwin, issued a statement regarding Mr. Rodriguez Zavala's death. She confirmed that Universal's internal investigation indicated the ride was functioning properly at the time of that incident.
"As a direct and proximate result of Defendants aforementioned negligence, Plaintiff suffered severe and permanent bodily injuries, pain and suffering, disability, physical impairment, mental anguish, inconvenience, loss of capacity for the enjoyment of life in the past and future," the legal filing states regarding the current lawsuit.
Legal Process and Claims
The woman's lawsuit alleges negligence on the part of Universal City Development. Negligence claims typically require demonstrating that the defendant owed a duty of care, breached that duty, and that the breach directly caused the plaintiff's injuries and damages. The specific allegations focus on the design and safety features of the Stardust Racers ride, particularly the head restraints.
Seeking damages in a personal injury lawsuit can cover various losses. These often include medical expenses, lost wages, and compensation for pain and suffering. The request for a jury trial indicates the plaintiff's preference for a panel of citizens to decide the facts and outcome of the case, rather than a judge alone.
Industry Safety Standards
Amusement park rides are subject to various safety regulations and industry standards. These standards cover design, manufacturing, installation, and operation. Regular inspections and maintenance are also critical components of ensuring rider safety. Incidents on rides often trigger internal investigations by park operators and, in some cases, external regulatory reviews.
The outcome of this lawsuit, and any potential future legal actions related to the Stardust Racers, could have implications for ride design and safety protocols at theme parks. These cases often highlight the importance of thorough testing and adherence to safety guidelines for new attractions.
Universal's Response and Ongoing Investigations
Universal Orlando Resort has acknowledged the separate incident involving Mr. Rodriguez Zavala and has stated its own investigation found the ride was operating correctly. It is standard procedure for theme parks to conduct detailed internal reviews following any serious incident on an attraction.
These investigations typically involve examining ride logs, maintenance records, and witness statements. The findings from such investigations are crucial in determining the cause of an incident and whether any operational or design changes are necessary. The legal proceedings in both the current lawsuit and the potential future case involving Mr. Rodriguez Zavala's family will likely bring further details to light.
