New York is home to some of the most fun and memorable amusement parks in the world, including the Seabreeze Amusement Park, Six Flags Great Adventure, Adventureland, Coney Island, and more. While these amusement parks can provide hours’ worth of entertainment, fun and fond memories for children and adults alike, amusement parks can also be a place of tragedy in the event of an amusement park accident.
According a report, “Roller Coaster Related Fatalities, United States, 1994-2000,” published in the journal Injury Prevention, there were 40 people killed in a roller coaster accident in 39 different incidents in the time period stated in the article’s title. However, since the year 2000, there have been multiple reports of other accidents, severe injuries and deaths throughout the United States.
In fact, in 2013, a five-year-old boy’s leg was badly mangled in an amusement park accident involving a kiddie roller coaster ride at Coney Island when he slipped under the retaining bar and tried to jump off, according to media reports.
Types of Amusement Park Accidents & Injuries
Unfortunately, many amusement park ride injuries are severe and often cause permanent injury or death.
Some possible types of amusement park ride injuries are as follows.
- drowning on waterslides or other water-related rides.
- broken or fractured bones.
- lacerations or bruises.
- traumatic brain injuries.
- neck and back injuries.
- torn ligaments.
- whiplash.
- and, death.
If you or a loved one sustained an injury from an amusement park accident, you may be entitled to recover compensation for your injuries.
Who’s liable in an amusement park accident?
Liability will depend on what caused the amusement park accident.
- negligence of the employee operating the ride.
- the nature of the ride (i.e., the ride is fast, takes quick turns, etc.).
- mechanical failure or malfunction of the ride.
- or, the passenger’s inability to follow ride instructions.
If the cause of the accident was anything but the latter, then the amusement park, manufacturer of the ride or ride parts, or amusement park worker(s) may be liable for the injury.
Premises liability requires the owner of a property maintain a reasonable duty of care, and that he or she keeps the property in a condition that is safe and hazard-free for those who enter the property.
As such, if the owner of the amusement park failed to maintain a reasonably safe environment, and if that failure was the direct result of a person’s injury, then the owner may be liable for the amusement park accident and resultant injuries.
Furthermore, if the accident was related to a defect in the ride or the ride malfunctioning, then those who may be liable include the manufacturer of the ride, the manufacturer of any of the ride’s components, or even those responsible for assembling and performing safety checks on the ride.
Take Action Today if Injured in an Amusement Park Accident
If you have been involved in an amusement park accident caused by a malfunction or other negligence, then you may be entitled to recover compensation for your injuries, medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. In order to understand your rights regarding compensation, as well as who may be liable for your damages, an attorney can help.
At Gacovino, Lake & Associates, P.C., our attorneys know how important it is that you receive the compensation that you deserve, and are ready to help. For assistance filing your claim and getting the money to which you’re entitled to for your injuries, call us now at 800-550-0000 to schedule a free case consultation.
