A day after authorities recovered the body of a 2-year-old boy snatched from a Walt Disney World beach by an alligator, questions are being asked about whether the resort did enough to warn patrons about alligators in the park.
While there were signs telling guests at the Grand Floridian Hotel that swimming in the Seven Seas Lagoon is prohibited, there was no signage suggesting they watch for alligators in the waters near the resort.
Disney issued its second statement about the tragedy on Thursday, saying the company would conduct a review of its safety protocols, including signage:
Here’s what is being said about the tragedy and Disney’s potential liability.
>For more coverage on the tragedy at the Grand Floridian
What is the company’s responsibility
“The snatching of a 2-year-old boy by an alligator from a beach at a Disney resort Tuesday night immediately raised questions about the animal’s behavior and the company’s responsibility. Among them: How common are alligators in the lagoon where the attack happened? Did Disney do enough to mitigate the problem or warn tourists about potential dangers? If not, could the resort be held legally liable for the toddler’s death?”
No sign warning of alligators
“The sign said, “Do not play or swim in the lake.” But nowhere did it caution that a predator might be lurking. The omission may have cost 2-year-old Lane Graves his life. The boy, playing in less than a foot of water in a Disney World lake around 9 p.m. Tuesday, was snatched by an alligator as his screaming parents struggled to save him. Lane’s body was found about 15 yards away Wednesday afternoon. … In Florida, most locals know alligators can pop up anywhere. And Disney World officials were aware of the reptiles stalking around the resort, according to employees and officials. …“If Disney knew or should have known, they have to warn people.” ”
Was it a 'hidden danger'?
"An alligator has attacked and dragged off a 2-year-old boy in a lagoon near a Walt Disney World hotel in Florida. On Wednesday afternoon, after an exhaustive search, remains believed to be the child's body were recovered. Resorts are frequently located in exotic destinations, where non-native vacationers often come into close proximity with native wild animals. Often, it's considered part of the experience of a tropical vacation to see a giant turtle or a shark up close. But when tourists are hurt by the wild animals at these resorts, who is liable? … whether or not Disney fulfilled its duty to the child and his family doesn't just depend on their status as "invitees." It's also determined by the legal status of the "hidden danger" -- in this case, the alligator. So when are wild animals on the land considered an "unsafe condition?" ”
What does the judge say?
Fox News
‘Reasonable means to keep you safe’
"When a 2-year-old boy and his family went splashing around the Seven Seas Lagoon at the Floridian Resort & Spa in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. at about 9:20 p.m. Tuesday, there were "No Swimming" signs posted nearby. The vacationers from Nebraska may or may not have seen the signs, but either way, at least some of them entered the water. … What remains a question is just how liable Disney, which owns and operates the resort, is for the incident. CBS News legal analyst Rikki Klieman says the resort has an obligation to "enter into reasonable means to keep you safe," especially for any "foreseeable" problems."
Is multimillion dollar lawsuit on the horizon?
"An attorney says Disney could face a "multimillion dollar" lawsuit in the death of a two-year old toddler who was dragged into a lagoon by an alligator at a Disney resort in Florida on Tuesday night. … If the family should decide to file suit, the key question will be whether Disney took reasonable care to prevent the tragedy from happening."
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