Every year, thousands of amusement and theme park accidents occur across the United States. These accidents often result in serious injuries that lead to permanent disabilities. While statistically rare, amusement park accidents can be catastrophic. The majority of the nearly 3 million annual amusement park-goers enjoy their visits without incident. However, statistics show that:
- Approximately 7,000 people are treated in emergency rooms every year for injuries caused by amusement park accidents- over half of them are children
- Amusement park accidents result in an average of 4-5 fatalities every year
- Amusement and theme parks are not required to report accidents, therefore many go undocumented
Causes of Amusement Park Ride Injuries
As in any business, amusement parks have the potential to operate defective equipment. Additionally, employees operating amusement park rides are typically young people who are not highly compensated for their time. As such, they may become easily distracted from their responsibilities or fail to use the reasonable standard of care that should be utilized on the job. The primary causes of amusement park accidents and injuries include:
- Improper maintenance
- Missing/malfunctioning safety equipment
- Mechanical failure
- Operator error/failure to supervise
- Defective design
Amusement park ride accidents can result in serious injuries and fatalities. The most common injuries include those to the head, neck, and back. Injuries resulting in permanent disability, paralysis, traumatic brain injury, limb amputation, scarring and disfigurement are reported every year. Fatalities can result from falls, drowning, and electrocution. In addition to physical scars, emotional trauma is a factor in amusement park ride injuries.
Amusement Park Ride Accident Liability
Amusement park accident liability claims in the D.C. area can be complex because they involve different areas of tort law including product defects and/or premises defects.
While some states have laws governing amusement park operations, the highly lucrative and competitive industry is not federally regulated. And while the American Society for Testing and materials has published standards applicable to amusement rides, those standards are not mandatory.
Amusement parks are required to post height/weight restrictions and safety warnings on rides. However, to ensure the safety of your loved ones, never board a ride where the operators seem distracted or the safety harness does not fit properly. Never extend your limbs or other body parts during the ride. Secure long hair and remove glasses and hats. If you have any safety concerns about an amusement park ride, report it immediately.
Contact Child Injury Lawyers
At Patrick Malone & Associates, our personal injury lawyers have extensive experience representing injured individuals and children in Washington, DC metro area, Virginia, and throughout the State of Maryland. We know that amusement parks and carnival companies often cut corners when it comes to vital safety and maintenance. As such, we fight aggressively for all injured accident victims and ensure that they receive the maximum compensation. Call us at 1-202-742-1500 or 1-888-625-6635 or fill out our confidential contact form for a FREE Consultation and review of your case.
The personal injury attorneys at Patrick Malone & Associates have successfully represented injured individuals in Washington, DC, Arlington, Alexandria, Annapolis, Rockville, Baltimore, Richmond, Fairfax, Maryland, and throughout Virginia.
