An average of 12 children per day are treated in emergency rooms for theme park injuries. Fortunately, most incidents are minor. However, there are some instances where theme park accidents cause horrific injuries or wrongful death. For example, there was an incident last year where a 10-year-old boy was decapitated on a water slide in Kansas City. In a case last year that occurred in Pennsylvania, a 3-year-old boy was injured after falling from a rollercoaster.
Many of these accidents are preventable and may be caused by factors that include:
- Operator error: Theme park accidents can be caused by operator error. Some employees may be poorly trained or overworked. In other cases, employees may be incapable of communicating safety instructions to park goers.
- Inadequate maintenance: Theme park rides are constantly being used by thousands of people each day. These rides require competent employees to perform regular maintenance.
- Defective parts: Theme park rides may contain parts with design or manufacturing defects. When these parts fail, such as harnesses that keep people secured to rides, injuries or deaths may occur.
Can I File a Lawsuit for Theme Park Injuries?
Amusement parks have a duty to ensure their rides are free of foreseeable hazards. They must perform regular maintenance on rides, train employees and provide clear instructions to park goers.
In cases where an amusement park causes catastrophic injuries or wrongful death, it is crucial to contact an attorney. You may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit against the theme park or ride manufacturer. Catastrophic injuries can incur millions of dollars in costs over a lifetime, and damages from a lawsuit can help pay for these expenses.
