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Amusement Park Accidents

On Behalf of | Apr 7, 2014 | Personal Injury

Amusement parks can be a lot of fun, but they can also be the cause of injuries. It was recently reported that 12 children were injured at a festival in Connecticut when a malfunction caused a swing ride to come to a sudden halt. Injuries from amusement park rides vary considerably in severity, from minor bruising to severe trauma requiring hospitalization and sometimes even death.

Causes of accidents

Some of the common causes of accidents at amusement parks include:

  • Improper operator behavior – for example the operator stops the ride suddenly or fails to secure a passenger’s safety harness correctly
  • Passenger behavior – for example, the passenger removes safety restraints, stands up or rocks the car
  • Improper assembly or maintenance – the operator fails to follow proper assembly or maintenance procedures causing mechanical failure
  • Inherent defect- the ride is inherently dangerous due to its design or manufacture even if it is operated correctly

It is possible for an accident to be caused by a combination of factors. For example, improper operation by the operator by suddenly stopping a ride coupled with failure of safety equipment due to improper maintenance. Tracking of accidents and causes is poor, however, according to a recent NBC news report. Without data on past injuries and deaths, it is difficult to put effective preventive measures in place.

Who is liable?

Liability depends on the cause of the accident. If a park employee acted improperly, for example, by failing to follow safety procedures, the park may be liable. Similarly, the park may be liable if it failed to maintain or assemble the equipment properly. The manufacturer of the ride or of one of the ride’s components may be liable if the accident was caused by a design or manufacturing defect or if the manufacturer failed to warn about proper use.

If you or a loved one have been injured at an amusement park, contact an experienced Clarksville personal injury attorney who can help you get fair compensation. With more than 75 years of combined legal experience, the attorneys at The Kennedy Law Firm are ready to assist you.

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