Amusement Park Accidents

Amusement Park Accident Lawyer in Hamilton, Ohio

Amusement parks are enjoyed by children and adults alike. While many people visit amusement parks each year and have a pleasant experience, there are a number of people who will be injured while riding amusement park rides. If you or a loved one is involved in an amusement park accident and another party is responsible, you should not hesitate to speak with an experienced personal injury attorney.

Amusement Park Accidents

The International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions reports that more than 335 million people visit at least one amusement park each year. Surprisingly, approximately 7,000 people are treated in emergency rooms each year for injuries incurred in amusement park accidents.

Common Causes of Amusement Park Accidents

The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission has found that the most common causes of amusement park accidents are consumer behavior, mechanical failures, and operator behavior. Some of the other common causes of amusement park accidents include:

• Deteriorating equipment
• Exposed wiring
• Failed safety devices
• Fatigued ride operators
• Inadequate maintenance
• Insufficient lighting
• Lack of warning signs
• Negligent security

Common Injuries Caused by Amusement Park Accidents

The injuries caused by amusement park accidents can range from minor to fatal. Some of the most common types of amusement park injuries that our clients have experienced include:

• Brain aneurysms
• Broken bones
• Drowning
• Lacerations
• Motion sickness
• Soft tissue injuries
• Spinal cord damage
• Torn ligaments
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Whiplash

Children represent approximately one half of the people who are injured in amusement park rides, with the age group of 10 to 14 years old representing approximately 17.9% of all reported injuries.

Amusement Parks in Ohio

There are hundreds of amusement parks throughout the country, but some of the locations in Ohio include:

• Adventure Zone, which is a small family park near Geneva-on-the-Lake
• Cedar Point, which occupies 364 acres on an island in Lake Erie near Sandusky
• Coney Island Amusement Park, which is located approximately 10 miles from downtown Cincinnati
• Kings Island, which is located in Mason and is currently the largest amusement park and waterpark in the Midwest
• Stricker’s Grove, which is a 90-year-old amusement park located in Butler County, Ohio
• Tuscora Park, which is a popular vintage amusement park in New Philadelphia

Types of Amusement Park Accident Claims

Following an amusement park accident, there are several types of case that can be initiated. These include:

• An amusement park can be found liable for damages if it can be shown that the park failed to uphold its responsibilities to make sure that rides were safe, satisfy all applicable safety codes, and that workers took all necessary precautions.
• Premise liability. These claims involve amusement park operators who fail to maintain parks in such a way that riders remain safe by failing to remedy hazards.
• Product liability. In these cases, a victim establishes that the accident would have occurred regardless of the precautionary measures taken by the park because of faulty equipment.
• Wrongful death. It is an unfortunate truth, but 52 people died in amusement parks between 1990 to 2004. These cases are brought by the surviving loved ones of a person killed in an amusement park accident.

Amusement park accidents often involve comparing the conditions on a ride to the applicable regulations. The Consumer Product Safety Commission is a branch of the federal government that is tasked with overseeing mobile rides, while fixed-site amusement park rides in Ohio are regulated by the state’s Department of Agriculture.

The Defense of Assumption of the Risk

Even if an amusement park was responsible for causing an accident in which you or a loved one was injured, you can expect the company to create a number of obstacles in your way of obtaining compensation. One common defense raised by amusement parks is referred to as “assumption of the risk,” which means that by voluntarily riding rides, a person accepts the risks associated with doing so.

The state of Ohio recognizes assumption of the risk as a defense to an accident claim. Amusement park attendees must be made aware of the risks associated with an attraction before riding. A risk like that of a bolt coming loose is not something of which a rider is likely to be aware.

Speak with an Ohio Amusement Park Accident Lawyer Today

At Kruger & Hodges, we understand that accident victims are often facing a number of complications, which is why we remain committed to fighting for the maximum compensation that they deserve. Contact our law office today to speak with a personal injury attorney.