Who’s Responsible for Amusement Park Injuries?

Everyone knows that an amusement park trip has inherent risks. When you stand in line for an hour, you have plenty of time to notice that even the carousel has its fair share of warnings. Still, no one expects a fun day at the amusement park to lead to serious or even fatal injuries. When disaster strikes, you may wonder—can you sue the amusement park? Who’s responsible for your injuries?

Amusement Park Injuries

What Are the Most Common Theme Park Injuries?

A handful of relatively common injuries and illnesses make up the majority of reported incidents at amusement parks. Patrons may sustain injuries on rides, including roller coasters, water slides, and even the Ferris wheel. Injuries may occur due to preexisting conditions, misuse of safety restraints, or a malfunctioning ride.

Other injuries are attributed to inadequate safety measures, both on rides and throughout other areas of the park. Poorly trained employees may improperly operate a ride, fail to check patrons for correct safety restraints, or fail to follow safety protocols. Poorly maintained walkways can lead to slip, trip, and fall accidents.

An injury can also be caused by the actions of another visitor at the amusement park. This is why many amusement parks ban alcoholic beverages and other substances that can affect your decision-making abilities. A drunk or disorderly guest can try to pick a fight, behave inappropriately on rides and put other guests in danger, or collide with other visitors.

Food-borne illness is another risk at most amusement parks. It often sets in rapidly after eating contaminated food and can quickly lead to dehydration, particularly during extremely hot summer months.

Who’s Responsible?

Many believe that they have no recourse against an amusement park after an injury. Most parks have signs stating that you assume the risks of any attraction as soon as you decide to ride it. Warning signs and waivers do not absolve amusement parks or ride operators of responsibility if they act in a negligent manner. For an amusement park to be held liable for a visitor’s injuries or illness, the visitor or their lawyer must demonstrate that the park failed to maintain the grounds or rides appropriately, put up warning signs to keep visitors away from dangerous areas, or otherwise take reasonable precautions to protect guests.

Can You File a Lawsuit Against the Theme Park?

Amusement parks typically devote substantial resources to their legal representation, due to the expenses that can come from an accident. Because of this, you should avoid negotiating with the amusement park’s representatives or staff on your own. It’s crucial to consult a skilled personal injury attorney who can look at the facts of your case, figure out who’s at fault, and determine whether or not you have a case.

Your Next Step After an Amusement Park Injury

If you’ve been hurt at an amusement park, you may be facing high medical bills, lost income, and other expenses. Your next step: connecting with the team at Fetterman Law to find out if the amusement park may be liable for your injury. Call our West Palm Beach office at 561-845-2510 to schedule your complimentary consultation.

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