After Lane Graves was dragged off the Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa grounds by an alligator and drowned, people have wondered if Disney will be held responsible. Will there be a lawsuit against the vacation mogul? Some are saying that due to the prior knowledge of the dangerous wildlife in the waters, Disney could be held responsible for the death of the boy.
“Their exposure is phenomenal,” Dan Cytryn of Cytryn & Velazquez said according to USA Today. “[Hotel operators] have a duty to protect (guest) from unreasonable risk of physical harm.”
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After Lane’s body was found, the Graves family questioned the company’s policy around wildlife near the resort. Though alligators in Florida waters is common knowledge, a simple “no swimming” sign may not be enough of a warning as to the danger in the water.
A case against Disney would be argued as gross negligence according to Frank Branson, and attorney in Dallas. He says that Disney has ignored the safety and welfare of children and families by merely placing “no swimming” sign up as opposed to warning signs.
“We are installing signage and temporary barriers at our resort beach locations and are working on permanent, long-term solutions at our beaches,” Disney said in a press release. “We continue to evaluate processes and procedures for our entire property, and, as part of this, we are reinforcing training with our cast for reporting sightings and interactions with wildlife and are expanding our communication to guests on this topic.”
Though Disney says that they are working to eliminating this problem for the future, there are many who are saying that this shouldn’t have been a problem in the first place. Many Disney resorts are filled with people from other parts of the country and the world who may not realize the dangers that lurk in Florida waters. Therefore, it is Disney’s responsibility to have warnings and signage to keep the guests as safe as possible.
This story first appeared on Womanista.
