Former stunt skier Chelsea Hall suing Sea World for $2.5m over foot injury

Sea World is embroiled in a $2.5 million legal stoush with a former employee who claims she suffered a foot injury during a performance.

Water skier Chelsea Hall is suing Sea World. Picture: Facebook.

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

Chelsea Hall, 22, has launched Supreme Court action against theme park operator Village Roadshow and Showtime Entertainment Group over the 2021 incident when she claims she fell into a hole at the bottom of a ski ramp on the Sea World lake.

But Village is denying responsibility and Showtime is blaming Ms Hall, saying she is “100 per cent” responsible for the accident.

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

“As (she) was running down the ramp, her foot became stuck in a hole at the bottom of the ramp,” court documents allege.

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

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

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

Water skier Chelsea Hall says she suffered a leg injury. Picture: Facebook.

Ms 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.

Ms Hall is claiming $1.29m in damages against Showtime and $1.3m against Village.

The claim alleges she could no longer work as a ski performer earning $1200 a week and instead took a $320-a-week job at Brumby’s bakery while studying nursing “in an attempt to mitigate her losses in the future”

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

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 Ms 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”.

Chelsea Hall is suing for $2.5 million. Picture: Facebook.

The entertainment company admitted Ms 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, Ms Hall was working under the instruction, supervision and control of Showtime.

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

Village admitted Ms 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.

Originally published as Former stunt skier Chelsea Hall suing Sea World for $2.5m over foot injury