Former Sea World stunt skier sues Village Roadshow for $2.5 million foot injury

A former Sea World stunt skier is suing the Gold Coast theme park and a ski show production company for more than $2.5 million over a foot injury she allegedly suffered during a performance.

As reported by Brisbane’s The Courier-Mail, Chelsea Hall, aged 22, has launched action against theme park operator Village Roadshow and Showtime Entertainment Group in the Queensland Supreme Court over the 2021 incident when she claims she fell into a hole at the bottom of a ski ramp on the Sea World lake.

However, Village Roadshow is reported to be denying responsibility while Showtime is blaming the former performer, saying she is “100%” responsible for the accident.

The claim alleges Hall was performing in the Thunder Lake ski show at Sea World in May 2021 and was required to run down the ramp to retrieve her skis.

Court documents claim “as (she) was running down the ramp, her foot became stuck in a hole at the bottom of the ramp.

“(Her) right foot became stuck in the hole, causing immediate pain.”

The claim alleges Hall did not see the hole as she ran down the ramp due to waves being generated during her performance which obstructed her view.

According to the claim, another ski show performer had reportedly rolled his ankle in a hole at the bottom of the ramp seven months earlier.

Hall allegedly suffered injuries including torn ligaments in her right foot, anxiety and depression.

The claim alleges both Showtime and Village Roadshow knew about the risk of injury in October 2020 when the male performer allegedly rolled his ankle and were negligent in failing to undertake a pre-show inspection, fill the hole with sand or place a sandbag there before the performance.

Hall is claiming $1.29 million in damages against Showtime and $1.3 million against Village Roadshow, alleging that she can no longer work as a ski performer earning $1200 a week and instead has a $320-a-week bakery job while studying nursing “in an attempt to mitigate her losses in the future”.

Both companies are defending the claim, with Showtime alleging Hall contributed to her injuries “to the extent of 100%”.

It claimed that “at no time” did she or any of the other 23 performers identify or complain about a hole at the bottom of the ramp and it was not detected during inspections.

Showtime said Hall had failed to keep a “proper lookout” when traversing the ramp, failed to take reasonable care for her own safety and, given her “extensive skill, experience and expertise in waterskiing”, should have known that the water depth and boat wash “could obstruct a person’s view”.

The entertainment company admitted Hall had been injured but denied negligence and said her claim was “excessive” and not supported by medical evidence.

It said she was only a casual ski show performer in a low-demand industry, continued to ski recreationally and earned income from social media.

In its defence, Village Roadshow said that all times, Hall was working under the instruction, supervision and control of Showtime.

It denied it owed Hall a duty of care but said if it did, that duty was “completely and effectively delegated” to Showtime.

Village Roadshow admitted Hall had suffered injuries but said the nature and extent were disputed “and must be determined based on the expert medical evidence produced at trial”.

The theme park operator has filed a claim against Showtime seeking a contribution for any damages awarded by the Court.

Images: Promotional images for Sea World's Thunder Lake ski show (top, credit: Sea World) and former Sea World stunt skier Chelsea Hall is suing Village Roadshow and Showtime Entertainment Group (below, credit: Facebook).