A judge approves

It claimed boy was hurt on Universal Orlando’s Hulk ride

a proposed $17,500 settlement in a lawsuit claiming a boy was injured getting on the Incredible Hulk Coaster at Universal Orlando.

A judge approved a proposed $17,500 settlement last week in a lawsuit claiming a boy was injured getting on the Incredible Hulk Coaster at Universal Orlando.

The lawsuit was filed last year by Rhandy Garcia of Kissimmee on behalf of his son, now 12.

According to court documents, the son was on a field trip when he injured his leg entering the Hulk ride in 2015.

The boy was 10 years old at the time.

A notice saying the parties had reached a settlement was filed in February.

The details of what was described as a tentative settlement agreement were laid out this month in court documents.

Details of the injury were not available in court files. Garcia’s attorney, Robert Horst, said he could not discuss the case.

A Universal spokesman did not respond to a request for comment.

The boy was treated at Orlando Regional Medical Center for the injury.

It doesn’t appear the injury required an immediate overnight hospital stay.

The large theme parks have an agreement with Florida in which they report riderelated injuries or illnesses that require the victim to be hospitalized for more than 24 hours.

Garcia’s case does not show up in those reports.

The lawsuit claims that the boy’s injury was “permanent within a reasonable degree of medical probability.”

Universal denied the lawsuit’s assertions that it “negligently maintained a safe environment.”

The plaintiff ’s motion for a settlement said that in exchange for the money, Universal will require a release of liability from the Garcia family.

Documents show $2,868 of the settlement will go to medical costs, including $1,218 to a company that reviews claims to see if another insurer should have paid.

Other costs included $600 paid to a “medical spa” that advertises services including cosmetic surgery and $550 to an outpatient spine and orthopedic center. Attorney’s fees are $7,000.

The Hulk roller coaster is one of the original rides at Islands of Adventure, which opened in 1999.

State records show seven injuries or illnesses serious enough to warrant 24-hour hospital stays since 2003.

The most serious: a 34year-old South Florida woman died four days after having a heart attack on the ride in 2003.

Other problems included chest discomfort, dizziness, chest pain, a seizure and passing out. The people affected ranged in age from 18 to 59.