For hundreds of years, amusement parks have been a source of entertainment. Amusement parks offer roller coasters and other attractions, as well as special rides such as the Tilt-a Whirl.
It’s not just fun and games.
Amusement parks have a darker side hidden amongst the fun and excitement. According to a report by the National Safety Council, there were 1,224 estimated ride-related injuries between the U.S.A. and Canada in 2022.
We want you to be able to protect your family on the next visit. We’ve provided some information on amusement park injuries and accidents to help you be more prepared.
Amusement Park Accidents: Common Types of Injuries and Accidents
Roller coaster injuries and accidents can be prevented by regular inspections, employee safety training and compliance with safety rules.
- Mechanical failures
- Whiplash and neck injuries
- Head injuries
- Slips, trips and falls
- Heat stroke or heat exhaustion
- Amputations
You should be extra cautious if you suffer from health problems such as heart disease, back pain, or are pregnant. You may be at greater risk from certain rides. You should consult your doctor before riding certain rides or visiting certain attractions at the park.
Know Your Rights at an Amusement Park
It is important to know your rights and responsibilities if you are injured in an amusement park.
Knowing your rights will help you determine if the park is responsible for an injury. Knowing your potential liability will also help you avoid doing anything to prevent you from being compensated.
What Types of Claims Can You File?
Liability claims
- If you are injured in a park because the workers were not careful, you may be able to make a negligence case. Carefulness in these cases is measured by “reasonable” care. Reasonable care is how a careful, normal person would behave in a given situation.
Claims for premises liability
- If something in the park is unsafe and you are injured, such as a slick walkway, poor lighting or damaged equipment, then you can file a premises liability lawsuit. These claims are only applicable if the dangerous items in the park were there due to poor maintenance or design.
Product Liability Claims
- In the event that you are injured due to a defect in a ride, or any other piece of equipment at a park, you may be entitled to file a claim for product liability. It’s not the park that is at fault here, but rather the manufacturer of the ride or other equipment.
You only have 2 years to file a claim, regardless of the type. You will lose your right to compensation if you do not.
This article was written by Alla Tenina. Alla is one of the best tax attorneys in Los Angeles California, and the founder of Tenina Law. She has experience in bankruptcies, real estate planning, and complex tax matters. Click here for more information. The information provided on this website does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice; instead, all information, content, and materials available on this site are for general informational purposes only. Information on this website may not constitute the most up-to-date legal or other information. This website contains links to other third-party websites. Such links are only for the convenience of the reader, user or browser; the ABA and its members do not recommend or endorse the contents of the third-party sites.
