When individuals are hurt on an amusement park ride, they can hold negligent parties liable. Determining which party is liable is not so easy, though.
Disney World, Sea World, and Universal Studios are just a few of the Florida amusement parks that bring in thousands of visitors every year. In the best-case situations, these visitors leave with only great memories. Unfortunately, that is not always the case. Sometimes, people become hurt on the rides located within these amusement parks and when they do, they are often able to claim compensation to help them recover from those injuries.
Determining liability is never easy in personal injury claims involving amusement park ride injuries. A Florida personal injury lawyer can help accident victims through the process and give them the best chance of success with their case.
Common Amusement Park Ride Injuries
The thrill of amusement park rides that so many people enjoy comes from the fact that they are often high off the ground, they move with great speed, and they spin and twirl riders. Although all of this contributes to the fun, it is these movements that can also cause great injury. The most common injuries include:
- Multiple broken bones
- Traumatic brain and head injuries
- Neck injuries, including whiplash
- Back and spinal cord injuries
- Severe lacerations, bruises, and scrapes
- Drowning accidents
- Injuries to soft tissues including ligaments, tendons, and muscles
Often these injuries are due to another person’s negligence. Determining which party is negligent, however, is not always easy.
Liability for Amusement Park Ride Injuries
Generally speaking, there are two types of personal injury claims that can be filed as a result of amusement park ride injuries. The first is that of negligence, either on the part of amusement park staff or the amusement park owner. The second is a claim of product liability, which has nothing to do with the amusement park itself. Instead, these claims hold manufacturers of the amusement park rides liable for defective equipment associated with the amusement park rides.
Under Florida law, owners of amusement parks have certain responsibilities. They must ensure that they have the proper permits to operate an amusement park, they must ensure their rides are properly inspected, and they must have proper insurance for the amusement park and visitors in case someone becomes hurt. When amusement park owners or their staff violate any of these laws, they can be considered negligent. For example, amusement park rides must be regularly inspected and when they are not, amusement park owners have not only broken the law, they can also be held liable in civil court.
Product liability law also relies on negligence, but these claims are slightly different. These claims are brought against manufacturers of amusement park rides. When safety restraints malfunction, rider compartment doors are defective and open when the ride is in motion, or the manufacturer does not warn of the danger, these are all examples of negligence on the part of a manufacturer. When any of these incidents cause an accident and people become seriously injured, accident victims can hold manufacturers liable for paying compensation.
Were You Injured on an Amusement Park Ride? Call Our Florida Personal Injury Lawyers
If you or a loved one has been injured on an amusement park ride, you need compensation and our Boca Raton personal injury lawyers can help you get it. At Ged Lawyers, LLP, our experienced attorneys can help determine which party is liable for your injuries, deal with the park’s insurance company and teams of lawyers, and help you secure the compensation you need. Call us today or contact us online to schedule your free case review so we can start reviewing your claim.
