Epic Universe’s Stardust Racers is hitting the headlines…again.
Stardust Racers
Universal Orlando Resort is getting sued over Stardust Racers after a child allegedly suffered injuries after riding the popular Epic Universe attraction. We have all the latest news for you right there, so let’s take a look.
According to the Orlando Sentinel, a mother is accusing the Universal Orlando Resort of “negligence after her 9-year-old son suffered permanent injuries while riding the popular Stardust Racers roller coaster at the Epic Universe theme park.” She argued that Universal failed to “add improved safety features to Stardust Racers” after the tragic death of Kevin Rodriguez Zavala after riding the coaster last year. Universal alleges that the mother was negligent for not using “reasonable care for her son’s safety.”
Stardust Racers
“It’s appalling that a company creates a ride that has a vast history of injuries … and a death … and then they go and blame a parent for allowing their child to enjoy a ride that was marketed to whoever meets the requirements of that ride,” said Orlando-based attorney for Jennifer Lundy (the mother), Nicholas Spetsas.
Stardust Racers
Lundy sued Universal Orlando on August 17th in Orange County Circuit Court, and the case was transferred to federal court the next month. Mack Rides, a German-based company that designed and manufactured Stardust Racers, is a co-defendant in the suit.
The lawsuit states, “Lundy’s son rode the coaster with his father on Oct. 13, 2025, but lost consciousness due to the forces generated by the attraction, causing his head and face to be thrown against the hard surfaces of the ride vehicle.” Nicholas Spetsas added that “the boy’s parents took him to seek treatment with the theme park’s health services personnel before later taking him to a hospital.”
Stardust Racers
The suit also noted that the young boy suffered lifelong injuries, and that he has been unable to physically attend school since the incident on Stardust Racers. The boy is undergoing physical therapy to learn how to walk properly again and suffers from chronic back pain. The suit says “he suffered head, neck, spinal and neurological injuries.”
Stardust Racers
Lundy is seeking over $75,000 in damages to “pay for her son’s past and continued medical treatment.” The suit argues he suffered “disability, disfigurement … loss of capacity for the enjoyment of life in the past and future … and loss of the ability to earn money in the future.”
Epic Universe
Universal responded to Lundy’s claims, saying she “knowingly and voluntarily assumed the risks associated with her son riding a thrill ride, including the potential for significant acceleration and deceleration and head and body movements associated with such attractions.” Universal also said, “she failed to ensure her son followed posted warnings and instructions for the attraction, and that also caused or contributed to his alleged injuries, the suit said.”
Epic Universe
We’ll be keeping an eye on this story to see how it unfolds. For all the latest news regarding theme parks, make sure to follow us at the Disney Food Blog.