People go to a theme park for enjoyment, to spend time with friends and family and to escape the stress and reality of everyday life. No one enters a theme park expecting to meet with disaster. However, each year, tens of thousands of people are injured at theme parks, a good number of these children.

Our part of the country has more than an average number of theme parks. In addition to Walt Disney Work, central Florida is home to Sea World, Volcano Bay, and Universal Studios. That’s why these types of injuries, and preventing them, are so important to us.pois

In 2016, more than 30,000 emergency room visits could be traced to theme park injuries. The actual number could be much higher since injuries at temporary carnivals and state fairs are often not included in reported numbers. Most theme park injuries do not require being admitted to the hospital overnight. In fact, according to a survey by the National Safety Council, there is just a one in 24 million chance of being seriously injured on a theme park ride.

Type of theme park injuries

Theme park injuries happen in a variety of ways. These types of injuries can be caused by failed safety devices, a failure to the mechanical parts on a ride, aging equipment, inadequate maintenance or a distracted operator or one who is not alert. Of course, not all theme park injuries happen on rides. Food poisoning and slips and falls also contribute to the high number of emergency room visits.

Preventing theme park injuries

Many theme park injuries can be prevented by taking a few precautions, including:

1. Always following height, age, health and weight restrictions on rides.
2. Making sure to follow park personnel’s instructions about seating and loading.
3. Using safety equipment, such as seat belts and harnesses, as instructed.
4. Making sure that your children keep their hands and feet inside the ride at all times.
5. Following your instincts. If a ride, especially a temporary ride, doesn’t look safe, avoid it.
6. Being mindful of room left out in sunny areas, such as at a salad bar or a food stand.

Laws regarding theme park injuries

Theme park owners and operators have a legal obligation to provide a safe experience for their patrons. That means they must provide reasonable care to prevent injuries from happening at their park. This can be interpreted to include the regular care and maintenance of their rides and other equipment, training their staff and ride operators on safety procedures and the safe operation of the ride, restricting access around the ride to authorized persons, refusing access to patrons who will not follow the safety regulations and shutting down any ride they suspect to have an issue.

Theme parks often have patrons sign a waiver when they enter the park saying that the patron accepts the risk of the theme park rides. However, these types of waivers, in most cases, are not legally enforceable. The park still has a legal duty to provide a safe environment, waiver or no waiver.

Working with the The Troutman Law Firm

If you or someone you care about has been injured at a theme park, you need someone to represent your interests. Remember the park’s attorneys and insurance representatives may seem sympathetic, but they work for the park, and their job security depends on minimizing the park’s financial outlays. There’s nothing wrong with fighting for the compensation you need to cover medical expenses and time off work due to your injury.

At The Troutman Law Firm, we are experienced at handling theme park injury cases and know the precedents and the laws regarding such injuries. We’ll work to get you the settlement you deserve without going to court, but, if necessary, we aren’t afraid of a courtroom battle. We won’t stop fighting on your behalf until things are made as right as possible for you and your family.

To learn more about working with the The Troutman Law Firm and for a free consultation about your theme park injury case, contact us at 407-647-5002 to schedule an appointment.