Texas Amusement Park Accident Attorneys
What the CPSC Has to Say About Accidents at Theme Parks
A day at the amusement park can provide hours of fun and memories that last for years, but unfortunately, these venues are not without dangers. On some occasions, a visit to the amusement park could also result in a visitor suffering serious injuries or even death. In fact, injuries at amusement parks are on the rise. The increase in injuries is a result of owners and operators failing to emphasize park safety.
A loophole in the Consumer Product Safety Act of 1981 prohibits the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) from regulating the safety of rides which are fixed to a specific site, such as those in place at Disney World or Six Flags. As such, visitors to amusement parks must rely on the owners and operators to make sure the rides are safe. Unfortunately, some park owners do not respect the trust placed on their shoulders.
Causes of Amusement Park Accidents in the United States
- Inappropriate ride operator behavior
- Mechanical failure
- Construction flaws or design defects
- Failure to post proper warnings
- Uninspected or unrepaired ride damage
- Ride component failure
- Improper operation of rides/poorly trained operators
- Loose parts, corroded, or rusty rides
- Improper safety locks or restraints
- Sharp or protruding objects
- Insufficient height or weight restrictions
- Abrupt starts and stops
- Unsafe loading/unloading procedures
- Faulty assembly
- Exposed electrical wires or other sources of power
- Emergency brake failure
- Poor lighting
- Slick surfaces, particularly near water rides
Common Types of Amusement Park Injuries
- Neck injuries
- Back injuries
- Head injuries / traumatic brain injuries
- Heart attacks
- Bone fractures
- Severed limbs
- Impalement
- Decapitation
Whatever type of injury, you need to speak with your lawyer about your case. A knowledgeable accident lawyer can discuss your case with you and help you understand if remuneration is available. They will also be able to investigate the park's policies and find out what led to your injury.
According to data from the CPSC, approximately 3,400 accidents are reported at amusement parks each year—excluding incidents that occur at the largest sites such as the Disney theme parks.
The CPSC also provides the following injury statistics related to amusement parks:
- Over 270,000,000 people visit amusement parks each year in the United States.
- About 51% of amusement park injuries affect children.
- Women are hurt at theme parks about 1.5 times more often than men.
Lack of Proper Regulations Hurts Victims of Amusement Park Negligence
With the lack of regulatory enforcement affecting amusement parks and the lack of available statistics regarding theme park injuries, many park operators feel that they do not need to take responsibility for injuries sustained by their customers. As a result, they do whatever it takes to delay or deny payment for injury claims or to settle them quickly for a fraction of the true costs incurred by the victims.
Receive a Free Consultation Today. We Have Your Best Interests at Heart.
At Arnold & Itkin, our Houston personal injury attorneys have experience in holding large corporations such as amusement parks accountable when their negligent behavior leads to injuries. If you or a loved one sustained an injury of any type while visiting an amusement park, regardless of its severity, you may be entitled to compensation. The important thing now is to find out about your rights by speaking with a lawyer.
Contact a personal injury attorney from our firm today for a free consultation: (888) 493-1629. We've recovered billions of dollars on behalf of our clients and remain ready to take on major amusement parks.