With spring break and warmer weather on the way, many Ohioans will take the opportunity to visit amusement parks. While the majority of amusement parks are well-maintained, regulated and safe, serious injury can still occur: thousands of people are injured at amusement parks every year.
If you’ve been injured in an amusement park accident, the Law Offices of Tim Misny can help. Read on to learn more about who’s responsible for accidents at amusement parks, and what to do if it happens to you.
Common causes of amusement park ride injuries
Amusement park accidents can result in serious injury, including broken bones, lacerations, torn ligaments, traumatic brain injury, neck and spine injuries, brain aneurysms and even death. Common causes of accidents include:
- Improper operation: Operators should be trained in how to safely operate the rides, including safety and emergency protocol. When they fail in their duties, such as neglecting to properly secure passengers, or abruptly stopping the ride, they may inadvertently cause serious injury.
- Mechanical failure: Amusement park rides may experience mechanical failure like safety harness malfunctions, structural damage or broken or damaged mechanical components.
- Passenger misuse: Passengers may not follow safety instructions, such as rocking gondolas on Ferris Wheels, standing up on a ride, failing to secure personal items, undoing safety restraints or failing to keep their limbs inside the car. This not only jeopardizes their safety, but the safety of others.
- Nature of the ride: Finally, the ride itself can cause injury. For example, some thrill rides put excessive stress and G-force on the brain, which can cause loss of consciousness, retinal hemorrhage, traumatic brain injury and brain aneurysm, among other injuries.
Who’s responsible for amusement park ride injuries?
Liability primarily depends on what or who caused the injuries. For example, mechanical failures could be caused by a manufacturing defect, issues with proper installation or failure to appropriately maintain the rides. Manufacturers of defective or inherently dangerous rides can be held responsible. In contrast, failure to properly install, maintain and operate rides is often the amusement park’s fault.
If a passenger causes the accident by acting negligently or recklessly, they will likely bear at least partial fault and may not be able to recover damages for their injuries. Similarly, if a passenger’s conduct causes injury to another passenger, they may be liable.
If you’ve been injured at an amusement park, call the Law Offices of Tim Misny right away. You may be able to recover damages for your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering and more.
Talk to an Ohio personal injury attorney today
The Law Offices of Tim Misny can help you with your accident claim. If you or a loved one were injured due to someone else’s negligence or recklessness, I’ll Make Them Pay!® Call my office at (800) 556-4769 so that I can evaluate your case right away.