The former director of health and safety at SeaWorld Orlando, Linda Simons, filed a defamation lawsuit against SeaWorld that concerns the death of Dawn Brancheau, a trainer at SeaWorld. The lawsuit alleges that there were no grounds for libel and slander to discredit Simons. The lawsuit asks for a jury trial, punitive damages and an injunction to prevent future defamation of Linda Simons.

The lawsuit was filed by Maurice Arcadia, Esq. Arcadia and partnerships, PA Melbourne, Florida. Arcadia is the managing partner of the firm and lead attorney on the case.

Simons had been the acting director of health and safety at SeaWorld a little over a week when the Brancheau was murdered by a killer whale, while interacting with him at the end of a show in February 2010.

The whale grabbed the trainer by her hair while she was standing on a small ledge around the pool and she was dragged underwater.

After the accident, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) launched an investigation and issued three citations to SeaWorld claiming safety violations. During the investigation, Simons was appointed as the liaison between SeaWorld and OSHA.

Simons said that SeaWorld officials continued to lead her to try to hide any incriminating documents. Simons, however, cooperated fully with OSHA, which resulted in the citations and fines. According to the lawsuit, Simons went public about the pressure she received from SeaWorld for her to act illegally. After Simons went public, SeaWorld went on the offensive and began to slander Simons in the same media outlets.

In addition, Simons stated that SeaWorld offered money for her to remain silent, but SeaWorld has countered this by stating that Simmons tried to extort money from them in order for her to keep quiet.