Commentators in the media pointed out that “no one would reasonably expect that a man-made beach and lake” would be infested with deadly gators. True for visitors. Not true for Disney!
The Grand Floridian Disney resort knew full well that there were gators in their man-made lake. Yet, shockingly, they did nothing to warn their unsuspecting guests. Incredibly, Disney not only failed to tell patrons of this known and very real danger but did not even post any warnings about gators being in this body of water. In fact, instead of warning guests, by creating this beach area, they lured parents and their children toward life threatening harm.
On Tuesday, June 14th, 2016, Disney’s callous indifference to the safety of the families whose dollars they so willing devour caused the death of a precious child.
A Nebraska family, the Graves family, was innocently enjoying this Disney created beach on this Tuesday evening when paradise turned to horror. Lane Graves, the two-year-old son of Matt and Melissa Graves, was wading in less than a foot of water with his Dad, Mom and four-year-old sister nearby. All of a sudden a gator shot up and snatched the toddler in his vice-like jaws. His dad desperately tried to wrestle his child away but the gator disappeared under the water with the child still in its jaws. The following day, the child’s drowned and lifeless body was recovered from the lake.
Following the attack, reports indicate that five gators were removed by authorities from this very same body of water. Other news accounts related that Disney routinely removes gators from their property. A couple visiting from England reported that just a week or so earlier they were chased off this same Disney Beach by an alligator. They, according to an English newspaper, informed the hotel.
Was any of this communicated to the Graves family and other guests? Of course not. No protective action was taken. Disney’s inexcusable inaction reflects a disturbing penchant for putting profits over people. Suppressing news of safety risks that might deter patrons from visiting and spending money at their resorts is unforgivable.
The law required Disney, like all commercial property owners, to keep their premises reasonably safe for their patrons and to warn of known dangers. If the resort had honestly warned the Graves family of the danger lurking in those waters, they would have been nowhere near that water and their beautiful child would still be alive today.
Disney flouted their sacred obligation to the Graves family and these good people paid a terrible price. Disney needs to be held fully accountable for the lifetime of suffering to which they have subjected this family.
Although no sum of money can make a family whole when they have lost a loved one, the law demands that Disney, or any negligent premises owner, fully, fairly and justly compensate the family who they have so irreparably harmed.
At Boyers Law Group, we have been fighting for justice on behalf of Florida’s families and many visitors for over 25 years. Our lawyers have represented clients who were catastrophically harmed by negligent premises owners in Orlando and throughout the state of Florida. Our cases have resulted in millions of dollars in compensation to our clients.
If you or a family member sustained a serious injury or suffered the wrongful death of a loved one, to learn your legal rights, please call Boyers Law group, Your Champions for Justice, today. You can reach us at (800) 545-9100 today.
We look forward to advocating for you and your loved ones.