“We’re here to get justice for our client.” That’s how attorney John Morgan, founder of the ever-present Morgan & Morgan law firm, opened his statement regarding a lawsuit that could only come out of Florida: a woman versus SeaWorld, with a duck at the center of it all.
According to court filings obtained by ABC News, Hillary Martin of Orange County, Florida, says she was knocked unconscious by a duck while riding SeaWorld Orlando’s Mako roller coaster back on March 24.
The suit claims the bird “flew into the path” of the ride and struck Martin in the face with enough force to cause her to lose consciousness.
Martin alleges that SeaWorld failed to maintain safe conditions at the park. Her lawsuit states that the roller coaster’s design — which runs above a body of water frequented by ducks and other waterfowl — created a heightened risk of “bird strikes.”
It further argues that the park either knew or should have known of the possibility of such collisions and failed to warn visitors before boarding.
The lawsuit describes the accident as leaving Martin with “permanent” injuries. Beyond the initial impact, she claims to now suffer from ongoing pain, both physical and mental, and says her quality of life has been reduced as a result. Court documents show that she is seeking damages exceeding $50,000.
SeaWorld has responded cautiously, issuing a short statement that read: “The safety of our guests and employees is a top priority, and we take these situations seriously. We will not be commenting beyond that as this is pending litigation.”
The Mako roller coaster, introduced in 2016, is billed as Orlando’s tallest and fastest coaster, reaching speeds up to 73 mph and heights of 200 feet. With its sharp dives and open track design, the ride cuts across water surfaces where birds are known to gather. Martin’s lawsuit argues that this setup created a “zone of danger” for collisions like the one she experienced.
The case is set for trial on November 8 in Orlando. Pretrial proceedings have already taken place, though it remains unclear what came out of those meetings.