A Hillsborough County jury entered a defense verdict for Busch Gardens in Belle v. Sea World Parks & Entertainment LLC d/b/a Busch Gardens on October 20, 2023. Plaintiff alleged foot injuries resulting in two surgeries due to the Skyride door shutting twice onto her leg on July 14, 2018 at the Tampa theme park. In closing argument, Plaintiff’s counsel asked the jury to award just under $1.5 million in damages. The RumbergerKirk trial team of partners Rob Blank and Carie Hall, along with associate Passion Wells and paralegal Susan McClugage, convinced the jury there was no negligence on the part of Busch Gardens or its employee.  Busch Gardens has moved for its attorneys’ fees and costs based on Plaintiff’s rejection of its proposal for settlement.