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Amusement Park Injuries

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As the end of summer approaches, families will look to scratch activities off of their summer bucket lists. For many, this includes a trip to an amusement park for a fun-filled day riding roller coasters and enjoying other attractions. While amusement parks provide a fun way to take advantage of the warm weather, they also carry an inherent risk of injury. It is not unheard of for amusement park patrons to suffer severe injuries due to accidents involving park attractions, whether it be on a high-speed roller coaster, or a simple merry-go-round. One cause for such injuries is due to a malfunction of a part(s) of an attraction itself. Injuries can also be caused due to improper operation by a park employee. Regardless of the cause, it is important for patrons who are injured to understand the law applied to these unfortunate scenarios.

In the case of injury at an amusement park, several parties could be liable to you for your injuries. Potential liable parties include the owner of the amusement park, the operator of the specific attraction at the time of injury, the designers and manufacturers of the attraction, and even the contractors and agents who took part in the attraction’s assembly, transportation, etc. These parties could be liable to you based on several theories, most commonly negligence in relation to: (1) Design, (2) Operation, (3) Guarding/Crowd Control, and (4) Maintenance.

Illinois law is clear regarding the liability of amusement park owners in relation to patrons’ injuries. “The defendant as owner of the park is liable to persons injured while visiting the amusements therein for the negligent construction or dangerous arrangement of the structures within the park.” Stickel v. Riverview Sharpshooters' Park Co., 159 Ill. App. 110, 115 (Ill. App. 1st Dist. 1910), aff'd, 95 N.E. 445 (Ill. 1911). Additionally, “If the injury of a passenger is caused by apparatus wholly under the control of a carrier and furnished and managed by it, and the accident is of such a character that it would not ordinarily occur if due care is used, the law raises a presumption of negligence. This presumption arises from the nature of the accident and the attending circumstances, and not from the mere fact of the accident itself.O'Callaghan v. Dellwood Park Co., 89 N.E. 1005, 1007 (Ill. 1909) citing Barnes v. Danville Street Railway Co., 235 Ill. 566, 85 N. E. 921, 126 Am. St. Rep. 237; Chicago Union Traction Co. v. Giese, 229 Ill. 260, 82 N. E. 232; Chicago City Railway Co. v. Rood, supra.

Amusement park owners and operators owe their patrons a duty to maintain the park’s attractions and keep them safe. This should include regular inspection of all attractions and immediately halting the operation of any rides that are found to be defective in any way.

What should I suffer an injury at an amusement park?

The first step you should take after being injured at an amusement park is seek immediate medical attention medical care. Amusement park injuries are usually severe, so it is imperative to make safety a top priority and ensure your injuries are properly treated. It is also important to receive medical treatment to determine the severity of your injuries. Once you are safe and have received the proper medical treatment, you should contact a personal injury attorney. A qualified personal injury attorney will work with you to determine if you should take legal action to receive financial compensation for your injuries.

The personal injury attorneys at Sherwood Law Group have significant experience in all types of personal injury matters, including slips, trips, and falls, premises liability issues, and products liability issues. If you or someone you know has been injured at an amusement park, we at Sherwood Law Group may be able to help you. Our experienced personal injury attorneys will thoroughly evaluate your case and get you the compensation that you rightfully deserve for your injuries. All consultations are absolutely free. Contact Sherwood Law Group at 312.627.1650 or info@sherwoodlawgroup.com.
Categories: personal injury