Woman sues Universal Orlando over injuries from same roller coaster in which man died after ride

A woman has filed a negligence lawsuit against Universal Orlando Resort, alleging injuries on a roller coaster at its new Epic Universe theme park. The lawsuit, filed in a state court in Orlando, names Sandi Streets as the plaintiff and comes about a week after a man died from blunt impact injuries on the same ride. The dual-launch coaster reportedly reaches speeds of up to 62 mph (100 kph) and was part of Universal's public rollout at Epic Universe, which opened to guests earlier this year.

Streets says she was invited to Epic Universe a few weeks before the park's public opening in May and rode the coaster, during which her head reportedly shook violently and struck the seat's headrest, causing permanent injuries. The complaint says Streets has suffered a disability, medical-care expenses, a loss of the ability to work and an exacerbation of a preexisting condition since the ride. Her attorney, Nicholas Spetsas, did not respond to requests for comment, and Universal Orlando Resort did not respond to messages seeking comment. The suit alleges the ride failed to properly restrain her head and that Universal failed to warn riders about the ride's unsafe and unreasonably dangerous condition.

In the other incident, the medical examiner for the Orlando area ruled Zavala's death due to multiple blunt impact injuries and the manner of death was an accident. Universal's president, Karen Irwin, wrote in a note to workers last weekend that internal findings showed ride systems functioned normally, equipment was intact and park staff followed procedures. Investigators with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services said their initial findings align with the park's. Zavala's family has challenged that conclusion and said his disability—spinal with wheelchair use—did not cause his death. They have not filed a lawsuit yet and said they want to understand how he died.

Epic Universe, Universal's latest theme park, opened to the public in May after years of development that included delays and the introduction of several high-profile attractions. The two incidents have drawn attention to safety protocols, rider warnings and the balance between thrill and guest protection at major theme parks. Industry observers note that while new parks deploy advanced ride technology, investigations typically consider whether restraints, maintenance, and staff procedures were adequate, and whether guests were given sufficient notice about risk. No settlement has been announced, and filings in Streets' case will proceed in state court as investigations into Zavala's death continue.