A lawsuit filed in Florida alleges that a 9-year-old boy sustained severe and permanent injuries to his face, head, neck, and spine after allegedly falling unconscious on Universal Orlando's Stardust Racers rollercoaster. The suit, filed by mother Jennifer Lundy, claims the G-forces on the ride, which reaches speeds up to 62 mph, caused her son, identified as L.L., to lose consciousness and his head and face to be thrown against the ride's surfaces.
Lundy's lawsuit, initially filed in Orange County Circuit Court on August 17 and later moved to federal court, names Universal Orlando and the rollercoaster's manufacturer, MACK Rides, as defendants. It alleges negligence, seeking at least $50,000 in damages. According to the suit, L.L. rode Stardust Racers on October 13, 2025, while visiting Universal Epic Universe. The ride requires riders to be at least 48 inches tall but has no minimum age requirement. The boy, who was eight at the time, met the height requirement, and his mother had a reasonable expectation of safety, the lawsuit states.
The suit references the death of 32-year-old Kevin Zavala, who lost consciousness on Stardust Racers on September 17, 2025, and was pronounced dead from blunt force injuries. Zavala, who had a spinal condition and used a wheelchair, was reportedly covered in blood with a broken leg when removed from the ride. His family reached a settlement with Universal after filing their own lawsuit. Lundy's lawsuit claims Universal closed Stardust Racers for about two weeks after Zavala's death but made no safety modifications, only updating signage and operational procedures after reopening approximately one week before L.L. rode the coaster.
Universal has denied the allegations, demanding a jury trial. In a court filing on September 18, the company argued that L.L.'s parents were negligent in ensuring his safety and that they "voluntarily assumed the risks associated with L.L. riding a thrill ride." Universal also alleged that L.L. had pre-existing medical conditions that contributed to his injuries. The company's defense states that if the parents are found more than 50 percent responsible, Universal would owe no damages.
Lundy's attorney, Nicholas Spetsas, called Universal's defense "blaming a mother and an eight-year-old," stating that Ms. Lundy followed all park rules and that her son met the posted requirements. Spetsas emphasized that the rollercoaster has no minimum age, medical screening, or warnings about the risk of losing consciousness, particularly for children. He further argued that Universal has no obligation to inquire about riders' medical histories before boarding and that any claims of pre-existing conditions are unfounded, asserting that the law holds companies responsible for injuries regardless of a victim's condition.
The lawsuit includes a photo taken by the ride's on-ride camera, showing the boy slumped and unconscious in his seat. Spetsas indicated that the Lundy family intends to present their evidence to a jury.