Amusement Park Accident Injury Lawsuits

Perhaps it is the threat of imminent danger that rollercoasters and other amusement park and theme park rides impose which gives thrill-seeking riders such a rush, but every year about 4,400 children get injured on these rides according to the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS). The most serious injuries that cause death are not included because hospital injury reports, where the NEISS gets its data, do not track fatalities. The Consumer Product Safety Commission logged 52 deaths linked to amusement park rides between 1990 and 2004, but there are no more current figures available. There is a significant lack of reliable data when it comes to tracking amusement park accidents, injuries and deaths.

Overall, amusement park accidents that cause serious injury are not common, given the millions of visitors these parks, state and county fairs and traveling amusements get. However, when they do occur they can cause catastrophic injuries and even death.

What types of lawsuits do patrons file for amusement park accidents?

There are several different types of lawsuits that those who have suffered injuries at amusement parks might file depending on the nature of the actual accident that caused the injury.

Premises liability lawsuits can be filed against negligent personnel, owners or operators, for errors like:

• Failure to adequately warn patrons of the dangers involved in the ride
• Failure to train those who operate the rides
• Failure to provide adequate or accurate instruction to riders
• Negligent inspection of the ride
• Operating a ride improperly

If an amusement park patron’s injury was caused by the negligence of the ride’s operator, and by extension, the park, the plaintiff would have to prove how this negligence caused their injury for a successful premises liability lawsuit.

Products liability is another type of legal action that an injured patron might take if their injury was caused by a defective ride. If faulty construction or design can be shown to be the cause of the injury the patron might take legal action against the manufacturer of the ride or the part of the ride that caused the injury.

Whether you were visiting Six Flags or King’s Dominion, when a park visitor has been seriously injured, there are many options for filing a lawsuit to recover compensation for their pain and suffering, medical expenses, lost income and other losses. An experienced Washington, D.C. personal injury lawyer can help you explore your options.