A fun-filled day at an amusement park can suddenly become a catastrophic tragedy when you or a family member are injured on a ride.
The Denver amusement park accident lawyers at Lonn Heymann Law Firm, P.C. have handled cases in which a family vacation has turned into a life-altering nightmare, and we work aggressively to determine if there was fault or negligence on the part of the amusement park’s ride itself, or the park’s owners, management or ride operators. In other cases a park’s safety and maintenance procedures or park security personnel may have been negligent in allowing an injury to occur.
Even the rides and attractions at amusement parks that appear to be the safest can cause a serious injury. Inflatable rides can be just as hazardous as the wildest roller coasters. An inflatable attraction is most commonly a large, enclosed and inflated structure, sometimes called a “bounce house”, where visitors enter and bounce in a trampoline-type motion. Other types of inflatable rides include slides and rock-climbing walls.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission, (CPSC), is the country’s leading source of data and statistics regarding amusement park injuries and fatalities. There are also several independent watchdog organizations that monitor accidents at amusement parks. The CPSC gathers information on both mobile rides and attractions, such as those that travel to fairs and carnivals throughout the country, and fixed amusement rides, like those permanently located at theme parks like Orlando’s Disney World, Ohio’s King’s Island or Six Flags, which have multiple locations.
| Amusement Park Injury Safety Tips Here are some tips to help keep you and your family stay safe while enjoying an amusement park: • Be aware of your general health and physical limitations. If you are pregnant, have a heart condition or high blood pressure, are overweight or have a physical disability, some of the more strenuous rides may not be for you. • Obey the park’s rules and regulations. Never attempt to get on a ride quicker by cutting in line, climbing a barrier fence or attempting to find an alternative access point. • Research a ride thoroughly before boarding. If the ride has to stop in the event of a malfunction, be sure you can safely exit the ride without encountering any physical limitations. • Listen to the ride operator’s instructions. If they tell you to secure a restraint bar or harness and do not put your hands or feet outside the parameters of the ride’s apparatus, listen and follow their instructions carefully. • Relax, and watch the ride as it unfolds in front of you. A sudden and violent snap of the head and neck can occur when you are thrown into a sharp roller coaster turn, and did not anticipate it. Keep your balance in your seat, lean your body into the direction of sharp corners and prepare yourself for upcoming drops and inclines ahead. • Watch for potential safety risks around you. Always report any broken ride harnesses or other parts, someone who is using the ride in a reckless manner or any other instance of a potentially dangerous accident. Source: ThemeParkInsider.com |
According to the CPSC, there were just over 31,000 injuries that required emergency room treatment on inflatable rides alone from 2003 to 2007. These include only “non-occupational” injuries, meaning those that were injured were ride occupants, and not those operating the rides. The most common injury was a bone fracture (29%), followed by a sprain or dislocation (28%) and contusion, abrasion or laceration (24%). During the same period, inflatables caused 4 fatalities as a result of a visitor falling from an inflatable ride and their head struck a hard surface.
Amusement park injuries can take many forms. A ride malfunction, such as a restraint system designed to keep the rider within the ride’s vehicle or apparatus, can cause the rider to be ejected from the ride. Whiplash resulting from a roller coaster or similar type of ride is also common. A skilled amusement park injury lawyer will be able to thoroughly investigate a park’s history of accidents and injuries, the park’s safety record, staff training and ride maintenance practices, their security operations and staffing, as well as many other aspects of the park’s obligation to ensure safety.
Park owners and operators have a legal responsibility to provide a safe and hazard-free environment for their visitors. If you have been injured while at an amusement park, the Denver injury lawyers at Lonn Heymann Law Firm, P.C. can help you ascertain whether you may have a case for a legal action, and help you receive the financial compensation you deserve.
Amusement parks are designed to provide exciting, family-oriented enjoyment. However, if you have suffered an amusement park accident injury, the Denver injury attorneys at Lonn Heymann Law Firm, P.C. urge you to take immediate action to protect your rights, and let us fight for justice on your behalf.
