Can I Sue Petting Zoo Ocala If My Kid Got Hurt While Visiting?

Bill Allen | October 10, 2024 | Premises Liability

Can I Sue Petting Zoo Ocala If My Kid Got Hurt While Visiting?

Petting zoos offer hours of entertainment and a great way to get up close and personal with animals you don’t always have a chance to interact with. One local destination for people interested in this activity is Petting Zoo Ocala, which lets patrons pet various birds, reptiles, and mammals – all at an affordable price. 

While this can be a fun family activity, it can quickly turn into a nightmare if your child gets hurt while visiting. Here is what you need to know about your legal options following such an event. 

Common Injuries Sustained at Petting Zoos

Guests can suffer various injuries while visiting petting zoos. Some of the most common petting zoo injuries involve:

  • Falls – Customers may fall while trying to reach pets or due to uneven ground or other hazards.
  • Bites – Some animals may feel threatened by young patrons and bite them.
  • Crushing injuries – Petting zoo animals may step on patrons. 
  • Pinning injuries – Some animals may pin customers against fences, gates, walls, or other hard surfaces. 
  • Illness – Animals may have various diseases, which they can pass on to humans when they touch or lick them.

These are just a few injuries that can occur at these facilities.

Common Causes of Falls at Petting Zoos 

People can fall anywhere, but some particular hazards that may lead to falls at petting zoos include:

  • Divots caused by animals 
  • Uneven ground
  • Lack of handrails
  • Uncontrolled animals
  • Lack of fencing around animals
  • Uncleaned food and beverage spills
  • Lack of lighting

Florida property owners who operate petting zoos for the public take on the legal responsibility of ensuring that their property is safe for visitors. They are also responsible for the behavior of animals under their control, which can sometimes act unpredictably. 

By pursuing a personal injury claim against the petting zoo, you can seek compensation for the harm your child has suffered. 

What Compensation Can I Recover for Petting Zoo Injuries in Ocala, FL?

When you file a lawsuit or insurance claim, you can pursue compensation for the damages your child and family incurred at Petting Zoo Ocala. This may provide money for: 

Medical Bills 

The petting zoo may be responsible for your child’s medical expenses, including those related to emergency care, as well as for ongoing medical treatment. 

Medical bills your family may incur include:

  • Emergency department visits
  • Ambulance rides
  • Surgeries
  • Physical therapy
  • Medicine
  • Follow-up appointments
  • Specialist visits

These medical costs can be expensive, and you can seek compensation for them from the liable petting zoo. 

Lost Wages

You may lose wages while you take your child to their medical appointments. If the injury impacts your child’s future earning capacity, you can also seek compensation for these associated losses.  

Pain and Suffering 

Injuries can cause considerable pain, and your child should be properly compensated for the harm they’ve suffered. You can pursue compensation for your child’s non-economic damages, including pain and suffering, emotional distress, and reduced quality of life. 

Quantifying these losses can be difficult. Various factors can affect the potential value of the claim, including:

  • The severity of the injury
  • Your child’s age and health before the accident 
  • Potential long-term effects caused by the injury
  • The value of economic damages

An experienced Ocala personal injury attorney can review your child’s claim and explain the damages that may be available. 

What To Do After an Injury at Petting Zoo Ocala

If you or your child is injured at the petting zoo in Ocala, take these immediate steps to protect your rights:

  • Seek immediate medical attention. 
  • Report the accident to pet zoo personnel or security. 
  • Wash injuries to minimize the chance of infection. 
  • Monitor the injury for signs of infection. 
  • Ask witnesses for their contact information. 
  • Take pictures of the accident scene with your phone as an evidence.
  • Keep all medical records and other documents related to the accident.

Finally, contact an experienced Ocala personal injury lawyer for a free case review. We can explore the options available for making a claim and help you navigate the legal process.

Contact Our Ocala Premises Liability Law Firm at Allen Law Accident & Injury Lawyers in North Central Florida

If you need legal assistance, contact the Ocala premises liability lawyers at Allen Law Accident & Injury Lawyers at your nearest location to schedule a free consultation today, we’re open 24 hours daily.

We have three convenient locations in Marion County and Alachua County, North Central Florida:

Allen Law Accident & Injury Lawyers – Ocala Office
112 S Pine Ave
Ocala, FL 34471
(352) 351-3258

Allen Law Accident & Injury Lawyers – Downtown Gainesville
621 W University Ave
Gainesville, FL 32601
(866) 928-6292

Allen Law Accident & Injury Lawyers – Gainesville Office
2550 SW 76th St #150
Gainesville, FL 32608
(877) 255-3652