A New Hampshire family who was visiting Sea World in Orlando on the day that a whale killed a top trainer earlier this year, is suing the theme park.
The couple, Todd and Suzanne Connell claim that their 10-year-old son, Bobby, who they took to SeaWorld on February 24, witnessed the whale kill Dawn Brancheau, and he remains traumatized to this day, reports clickorlando.com.
Meanwhile, HLN reported that Brancheau’s widower, Scott Brancheau, has retained a lawyer and is also suing SeaWorld for wrongful death.
Earlier this week, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) completed its investigation into the death of the animal trainer, and cited SeaWorld for three safety violations, including one classified as willful. OSHA fined the theme park a penalty of $75,000, which is being contested.
OCHA said that SeaWorld was issued one willful citation for exposing its employees to “struck-by” and drowning hazards when interacting with killer whales.
OSHA defines a willful violation as one committed with plain indifference to or intentional disregard for employee safety and health.
