Amusement Park Personal Injuries

When you take your family to an amusement park for a day of fun, you likely aren’t thinking about injuries. Unfortunately, serious injuries can happen anywhere, including amusement parks. Theme park injuries can be a surprise because you expect these places to be safe for visitors.

The amusement park companies have experience handling these cases. They try to avoid liability. Accepting the theme park settlement offer may not cover your medical bills and lost income. Before you accept a settlement agreement, make sure you understand your legal rights. For legal advice on how to handle amusement park accidents, talk to an experienced local injury lawyer.

What Are Examples of Theme Park Accidents?

There are lots of places you can get injured in an amusement park. Some examples of ways people have suffered amusement park injuries include:

• Whiplash on roller coasters
• Broken bones on amusement park rides
• Slip and fall accidents in concessions areas
• Burn injuries from scalding food
• Food poisoning
• Assault from other customers
• Spinal cord injuries on water slides
• Traumatic brain injuries from ride malfunctions

What Are Your Legal Rights When Injured at an Amusement Park?

As a visitor to an amusement park, you have the right to expect the amusement park to be safe and free from hazards. Under premises liability laws, property owners owe a duty of care to people who are on their property. In most states, the duty depends on your status as a visitor.

Most visitors to an amusement park are considered invitees. An invitee is on the property for the benefit of the business. As an invitee, the park operators owe you a duty of care. This includes a duty to warn you about any dangers the park knew or should have known about.

The amusement park owners have a duty to provide a safe environment for customers. The park is responsible for making sure the rides and park are safe. This includes making sure there is proper security and safety lighting.

Who Is Responsible for Injuries Caused by an Employee?

The amusement park is generally liable if a ride operator caused your injuries. Under vicarious liability laws, employers are liable for park employee negligence.

If you suffered severe injuries, there is no reason to file a lawsuit against someone making minimum wage. Instead, the employer may be liable for your medical expenses.

Who Is Liable for a Roller Coaster Accident?

Amusement park companies have a responsibility to make sure the rides are safe. These rides carry thousands of visitors every year. Some of these rides send riders upside down, traveling at incredible speeds.

Park companies must ensure these thrill rides have regular inspections and maintenance. If you get hurt on a ride because of mechanical failure, the amusement park may be liable for your damages.

There are several ways to be injured on a roller coaster. Liability will depend on how you were injured. If you are injured on a roller coaster because of a malfunction, you may also have a claim against the ride manufacturer. Under a product liability claim, the manufacturer may be liable for injuries caused by defective products. This includes injuries caused by manufacturing defects, design defects, or rides without proper warning signs. If you were injured due to the negligence of a fellow passenger, the analysis will change. A jury will make the final decision on who is liable.

What Types of Damages Can I Recover in an Amusement Park Personal Injury Lawsuit?

With a personal injury claim, you can seek financial compensation for damages. Damages in an injury lawsuit can include economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages include:

• Medical bills
• Lost income
• Future medical treatment
• Loss of earning potential

Non-economic damages can include pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment.

If a loved one is fatally injured in an amusement park accident, the family members can file a wrongful death lawsuit. A wrongful death claim allows the family to recover damages for funeral expenses, burial costs, and loss of support.

How Can a Personal Injury Attorney Help With a Theme Park Injury Accident?

Amusement park injury can involve claims for negligence, premises liability, or product liability. The amusement parks invest a lot of money to try and reduce their liability for injury claims. They may try to offer a quick settlement before you have a chance to talk to a lawyer. Don’t accept a settlement offer without understanding your legal rights.

Ensure you understand your injuries and losses before accepting a settlement. A personal injury lawyer can deal with the amusement park and the insurance company to ensure you get a fair settlement offer. Your attorney can also take your case to court so you can get the maximum compensation available. If you have questions about amusement park personal injuries, contact an experienced personal injury attorney.