Full Breakdown
Florida Man Sues Airboat Rides at Midway Over Alligator Bite
6/5/2026, 4:10:35 AM
Incident Overview
On June 9, 2025, Broward County resident Edil Kasenov took part in a free Alligator Encounter at Airboat Rides at Midway in Christmas, Florida. While holding a band-mouth alligator, he placed his face near the animal. The gator startled, swung its head, and struck Kasenov’s cheekbone, causing facial injuries.
Attraction Background
Airboat Rides at Midway offers daily airboat tours on the St. Johns River and ends each tour with a complimentary Alligator Encounter. The company says staff band the alligator’s mouth and instruct guests to hold it with hands under the front armpits and tail base, keeping it flat at chest level and away from the face.
Parties Involved
- Edil Kasenov – Social-media influencer from Broward County.
- Airboat Rides at Midway – Central-Florida tourism operator.
- The Law Offices of Berman & Berman, P.A. – Plaintiffs’ counsel.
Timeline
- June 9, 2025 – Kasenov bitten during the encounter.
- Month before report – Kasenov filed a negligence suit in Orange County.
Claims and Damages
The complaint alleges Airboat Rides failed to warn of the gator’s dangerous condition and provided no restraints beyond mouth-banding. Kasenov seeks over $50,000 for pain, suffering, disability, disfigurement, anguish, lost wages, and loss of enjoyment of life.
Official Statements from Airboat Rides
Airboat Rides called Kasenov “a social media influencer that does things for clicks.” The company said the gator’s mouth was banded, guests are told not to place the animal near their face, and staff applied ointment after the incident, confirming Kasenov was “okay.” Participation in the encounter is optional.
Plaintiff’s Allegations
The lawsuit says there were no warning signs, barriers, or restraints, leaving Kasenov exposed to a “vicious” animal and asserting the safety protocols were insufficient.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Kasenov describes “serious bodily injuries” with lasting effects, while Airboat Rides reports only minor scratches and immediate treatment. The complaint cites a lack of warnings; the company says safety instructions were given and Kasenov ignored them. No independent medical evaluation is cited.
Verbatim Quotes
- “There were no warnings, signs or other devices to warn or indicate the vicious nature of the subject alligator,” — Complaint, plaintiff’s counsel
- “Additionally, there were no measures used by defendant to restrain the alligator or otherwise protect the plaintiff.” — Complaint, plaintiff’s counsel
- “social media influencer that does things for clicks:” — Airboat Rides spokesperson
- “We instruct them to hold the alligator flat and waist to chest level and DO NOT PUT THE ALLIGATOR BY YOUR FACE OR TO PRETEND TO KISS THE ALLIGATOR as they can get startled as swing their head, which is solid bone, hit you in the mouth or face and hurt you.” — Airboat Rides safety briefing
Future Proceedings
The Orange County court will hear the case, with Kasenov seeking damages over $50,000. Both sides will present evidence on safety procedures and the extent of his injuries.
