By LawInspectsWhen you go to a water park, you expect to have a lot of fun with your friends and family, right? But what happens if you get injured badly while at a water park, and that’s only because of the negligence of the water park itself and the people working there? Well, that is pretty much what happened with Joshua Da La Cruz, who went to Universal Orlando and took the main attraction, Volcano Bay, but he got into an accident there. And now, this whole thing has turned into a big Volcano Bay Lawsuit, where he is seeking $50 million in damages.
What Happened at Volcano Bay?
On the 11th of July, 2025, a man named Joshua went to Volcano Bay and took the Ko’okiri Body Plunge ride. After riding, he approached a lifeguard for directions to the restroom. He fell there, however, as he had slipped on a wet and greasy floor. The floor was not merely wet, but it was also said that it had sunscreen, sand, and other items that made it dangerous for people to walk on. Joshua’s fall was such that he banged his head, lost his consciousness, and was discovered in a pool of blood when he was awakened.
The Injury Details
Joshua had an ambulance take him to the hospital. The doctors found that he had a cerebral hemorrhage, a very serious condition indeed. According to the lawsuit, he came to suffer from lasting pain, long-term ill health, and permanent disability. In addition to bodily injuries, mental stress, loss of amenity, and loss of prospective earnings are all considerations now.
The Lawsuit Filing
On September 24, 2025, in Orange County, Florida, the case was formally filed. Joshua is really lucky to have the support of the Searcy Law attorneys, and it is Clell C. Warriner who, on his behalf, authorizes the filing of the grievance. A lawsuit was served on the company Universal City Development Partners, Ltd., the masterminds of Universal Orlando Resort, to prevent them from doing such things. The core of the complaint is that Universal was negligent in ensuring safety for visitors in the park.
Why Universal Is Being Blamed
Actually, the lawsuit outlines several points of negligence:
- The restroom floor was dangerous, and it looked like it was not maintained properly.
- Additionally, there were no signs that could have warned guests about the hazardous conditions.
- The presence of water, sand, and sunscreen not only made the restroom dirty but also turned it into a slipping hazard.
The argument is quite simple: One who visits a water park is not expected to get such serious injuries from a very ordinary act like going to the toilet.
The Compensation Sought
Joshua is suing for $50 million in compensation. The money is to take care of him medically and otherwise, compensate for lost income, cover his healthcare needs, and also for pain, emotional suffering, and the fact that his quality of life will change forever. The sum is substantial since the damage has been characterized as very serious and will last for a long time.
Similar Cases Against Universal
This is not the first occasion that Universal has been embroiled in litigation. Previously, an injury to a guest on the Stardust Racers ride was able to be settled privately. There was also a case where a disabled gentleman passed away after riding a coaster at Universal’s Epic Universe. Such incidents raise the question as to whether Universal has done enough to ensure safety for its guests.
Current Status of the Case
As far as in late September 2025, Universal has not released any statement regarding Joshua’s lawsuit. The matter has not yet settled, and indeed the suit remains before the courts. One must wait until further developments, and yes, we’ll keep you posted on that.