Amusement Park Injuries
Theme Park
Florida is renowned for its impressive amusement parks, which are known even to people who have never visited the State. Unfortunately, due to the incredible number of people who visit these parks daily, accidents are not uncommon.
Amusement park owners, ride manufacturers, and operators have a responsibility to ensure safety on the various rides they offer. If you have suffered an accident at an amusement park in Florida, you may be entitled to receive compensation for it.
Common Amusement Park Injuries
Due to the wide variety of attractions that can be found in an amusement park, injuries can range from simple cuts to death, including:
- Neck and back injuries resulting from severe impacts, including whiplash. The sudden motion of some rides can also cause these injuries.
- Brain injuries, such as aneurysms and TBI, from contusions or excessive stress.
- Broken bones or torn ligaments from various causes including slips, trips, and falls.
- Internal injuries due to falls and other accidents.
- Drowning
When is an Amusement Park Liable for Injuries?
Amusement park accidents can be caused by a wide variety of factors. If you’ve suffered one, the best thing you can do is to contact First Choice Law to examine your case and determine liability. We provide a free case evaluation. For example, if the cause of the accident is negligence from the park staff or property owner, it is necessary to file a liability claim. If the accident was caused by a defect in the rides or poor design of the park, it becomes a product liability claim.
Top 4 Most Common Causes of Injury in an Amusement Park
Most amusement parks in Orlando and across Central Florida are safe due to regular routine maintenance and the strict safety standards that the state has in place. However, negligence can occur with serious injuries.
These are the four most common causes of accidents in amusement parks: Mechanical failures: Damages from a lack of maintenance, overuse, or simple wear and tear can cause situations such as derailed roller coasters, carousels that stop suddenly, broken zip lines, and more.
Human error: Many operators work lengthy shifts (sometimes over 12 hours a day), especially during high season, so fatigue, hunger, and sleep can negatively impact their performance. There is also the possibility that operators may be working under the influence of alcohol or drugs, which increases the likelihood of a mistake.
Design flaws: Although attractions are often designed with different types of users in mind, they must be tested before opening to the public to discover flaws that may cause discomfort or injure people. When owners decide to bypass these measures, problems may arise.
Slip and falls due to spilled liquids, debris, and other materials. Keeping floors and public areas in general clean and free of dangerous materials to prevent this type of accident can be very challenging, especially during peak seasons. Even too many people on pathways can increase the risk of slips, trips, and falls.
Which Damages Can I Recover from an Amusement Park Accident?
If you suffered an accident at an amusement park in Orlando or vicinity, you may be entitled to compensation for damages. ‘Damages’ is a term that encompasses different problems you may have experience due to an accident. They can be physical, emotional, or economic. Compensation depends on the type of damages you suffered.
Damages from an accident at a theme park that can be recovered include:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Hired assistance
- Compensation for pain and suffering
- Compensation for emotional distress
Can I Sue the Amusement Park?
Yes, you can. However, you must take into account the Statute of Limitations: the period you have to take legal action against the park. In Florida, the limit is two years from the time of the accident, so it is best to get an injury attorney as soon as possible!
Have You Been Injured in a Theme Park Accident? Contact us as soon as possible!
Parks are meant to be thrilling, not dangerous. If an injury ruined your vacation and put your life or the lives of your loved ones at risk, you may be entitled to receive compensation. Our personal injury attorneys are ready to review your case for free, advise you, and pursue fair compensation if you have a case. Both Jason Recksiedler and Caroline Fischer are highly experienced and have helped many clients in the past. Jason is certified as an expert in trial law by the Florida Bar and would be happy to work with you. We are available at 321-999-1111. You may also send us an email or fill out the online form located on this page, and we will contact you shortly. We can help you in English, Spanish, and Portuguese.
Recognized Injury Experts Answers FAQs
What do I do if I am injured in a theme park?
First, take pictures of what caused your injury; Second, get the name and phone number of any witness; Third, alert a park employee; Four, seek medical attention; Fifth, call First Choice Law and speak with one of our attorneys.
Should I fill out an incident report and get a copy?
Yes. Put in the report exactly what you believe was negligent i.e. a mess on the ground left for a long time or failure of the park employee to give proper instructions in entering or exiting a ride. Make sure to ask for a copy of the report or take a picture of it with your cellphone if copy denied.
Why is getting a witness information important?
Often times theme parks deny any wrong doing after they quickly clean up or change the area. Getting a witnesses information, specially a stranger, can be very powerful in overcoming these denials.
Will the theme park voluntarily pay me for my damages?
Although they may claim to be friendly and wonderful, it has been our experience that theme parks deny any wrongdoing even when they should known better, after all they are a business that often put profit ahead of safety.