Despite the joy and entertainment that amusement parks offer, it’s important to acknowledge that they can also be sites of significant accidents. These incidents can lead to grave outcomes, including severe injuries or fatalities. Injuries reported at these parks range from whiplash, injuries to the neck and back, heart attacks, fractured bones, to serious internal injuries. Both visitors and employees of amusement parks who suffer from such accidents might have the right to pursue legal action to seek compensation for their injuries.
Free Amusement Park Accident Lawsuit Evaluation: If you or a loved one has been injured at an amusement park, you should contact our law firm immediately. You may be entitled to compensation by filing a suit against the amusement park and we can help.
Table Of Contents
- What’s the problem?
- Amusement Park Injuries
- Roller Coaster Accidents
- Ferris Wheel Accidents
- What Types of Amusement Park Accident Lawsuits are Available?
- FAQs:
- What Are the Common Causes of Amusement Park Accidents?
- What Types of Injuries Can Result From Amusement Park Accidents?
- Who Is Liable for Injuries Sustained in an Amusement Park Accident?
- What Should I Do if I or a Loved One Is Injured in an Amusement Park Accident?
- Can I File a Lawsuit for Injuries Sustained in an Amusement Park Accident?
- Do I Have an Amusement Park Accident Lawsuit?
What’s the problem?
Most people think of amusement park injuries as serious accidents that involve the malfunction of a ride. While these cases grab your attention in the headlines, they represent but a small fraction of amusement park injury lawsuits. Instead, the vast majority of such claims involve much more routine injuries.
The most common type of amusement park injury is the ‘slip and fall’ variety, where patrons injure themselves on sidewalks, shops, or during shows. These types of accidents can happen anywhere, such as slipping on a wet sidewalk or tripping over a carelessly placed garden hose.
There are also amusement park lawsuits involving food poisoning or contamination that occurs at restaurants or food courts.
Amusement Park Injuries
Amusement park accidents can cause many different types of injuries. In some cases, these events are catastrophic and result in death. The most commonly-reported amusement park injuries include:
- Head
- Spine
- Neck
- Back
- Leg
- Broken Bones
- Amputations
Roller Coaster Accidents
Roller coasters are some of the most popular and entertaining rides at amusement parks, but they also cause some of the deadliest and most terrifying accidents. In the year 2000 alone, there were over 10,580 emergency visits due to roller coaster injuries, and this number has steadily increased ever since.
The laws governing responsibility in roller coaster accidents are extremely complicated, due to the fact that assigning negligence and blame in such cases is frequently challenging. If you’ve been injured in a roller coaster accident, contact the amusement park injury lawyers at Schmidt & Clark, LLP today.
Ferris Wheel Accidents
Towering ferris wheels are the hallmarks of amusement parks around the world, but few people realize how dangerous these seemingly innocuous rides can be. Ferris wheels are responsible for many types of injuries, but the most commonly reported are falls from unsecured cars or accidents involving the components of the ride. In July 2005, a Maryland girl fell from a ferris wheel after a cable came loose. Another accident in Ohio occurred due to the negligence of a ferris wheel operator who had a .114 blood alcohol level. These types of amusement park injuries can lead to serious injuries and even death.
What Types of Amusement Park Accident Lawsuits are Available?
Depending on the situation, a number of different types of lawsuits are available to individuals who have been injured at an amusement park.
Although the specific claim depends on the nature of the accident that led to the injury, two of the most commonly-filed types of amusement park injury lawsuits are negligence and product liability.
Negligence – If an amusement park injury was caused by the carelessness or inattention of the park itself or an employee of the park, the lawsuit will most likely be for negligence.
In such a claim, the plaintiff must prove that the law required the defendant to be reasonably careful, and that the defendant failed in this capacity, which led to the individual being injured. Examples of negligence in amusement park injury lawsuits include:
- failure to post clear warning signs
- posting signs that don’t adequately warn patrons of the risks involved
- failing to properly train ride operators
- failing to regularly inspect the rides
- improperly operating a ride
- providing incorrect instructions to riders
Product Liability – Other amusement park injuries may occur due to defective rides or components, and not by the negligence of the park or its employees. For example, the faulty design of a lap bar may cause it to unlatch while in use, causing the rider to fall to the ground.
These types of defects may give rise to product liability lawsuits against the manufacturer of the ride or the maker of the component that failed. In these claims, plaintiffs must prove that the structure, equipment, or part was defective, and that the defect caused injury or death to the victim.
FAQs:
What Are the Common Causes of Amusement Park Accidents?
The common causes of amusement park accidents include mechanical failures, operator errors, inadequate maintenance, design defects, and insufficient safety measures. These factors can lead to incidents such as ride malfunctions, falls, and collisions.
What Types of Injuries Can Result From Amusement Park Accidents?
The types of injuries that can result from amusement park accidents can range from minor cuts and bruises to severe injuries such as broken bones, spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and even fatalities. Other injuries can include whiplash, concussions, and internal injuries.
Who Is Liable for Injuries Sustained in an Amusement Park Accident?
The park owner, ride manufacturers, maintenance contractors, and operators are liable for injuries sustained in an amusement park accident. Determining liability often involves investigating the cause of the accident and identifying any negligence or safety violations.
What Should I Do if I or a Loved One Is Injured in an Amusement Park Accident?
If you or a loved one is injured in an amusement park accident, you should seek medical attention immediately. Report the incident to park officials and document everything, including taking photos of the scene and obtaining contact information from witnesses. It’s also advisable to consult with a personal injury attorney to understand your legal rights and options.
Can I File a Lawsuit for Injuries Sustained in an Amusement Park Accident?
Yes, you can file a lawsuit for your injuries in an amusement park accident due to negligence or faulty equipment. A personal injury attorney can help you navigate the legal process, gather evidence, and seek compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages.
Do I Have an Amusement Park Accident Lawsuit?
The Personal Injury Litigation Group at our law firm is an experienced team of trial lawyers that focus on the representation of plaintiffs in amusement park accident lawsuits. We are handling individual litigation nationwide and currently accepting new personal injury cases in all 50 states.
Free Amusement Park Accident Lawsuit Evaluation: If you or a loved one has been injured at an amusement park, you should contact our law firm immediately. You may be entitled to compensation by filing an amusement park accident suit and we can help.