AMUSEMENT PARK SAFETY
Accidents happen every day at amusement parks around the country, including those in Georgia. Many times these accidents are caused by the avoidable negligence of the guest, the amusement park or both. While visitors should enjoy their time at the amusement park, safety should not become a second thought. Guests should prioritize their safety, and victims of amusement park negligence should be aware of their rights and seek justice.
AMUSEMENT PARK SAFETY TIPS
Know your limits. There are numerous health conditions that make riding on fast rides, such as a roller coaster, especially dangerous. Be aware of how a ride may interact with any health conditions you have. Have fun, but be cautious about putting too much stress on your body. This can have long-term effects on your health and well-being.
Respect warning signs. Assume the amusement park has foreseen a clear harm that is likely to occur if the signs are ignored. If you have children that are old enough to be left alone, make sure they understand the risks of not adhering to park rules. Reviewing park safety before you go your separate ways is key to keeping your child safe.
Never enter restricted areas. Do not assume that restricted zones are just glorified employee break areas. Odds are they aren’t places for employees to hang out, but are actually dangerous areas. Reduce your risk of injury by avoiding these areas.
NEGLIGENCE BY AMUSEMENT PARKS
Sometimes people are injured at amusement parks through absolutely no fault of their own. A recent example was seen in New Jersey, when the Six Flags log flume malfunctioned and sent two guests to the hospital. The boat tipped at an angle, causing it to not complete a cycle. Even though the injuries were minor, it was still no doubt a traumatic experience, not to mention a major inconvenience.
Many other cases end with much worse results. For instance, in July of 2021 an eleven-year-old boy, Michael Jaramillo, died while on a Raging River raft at Adventureland Theme Park. The raft malfunctioned and overturned about 20 seconds into the ride, causing the six passengers to have their heads stuck underwater until help arrived. Unfortunately, this is not an uncommon occurrence.
Whenever these types of accidents occur, victims are entitled to bring a claim against the amusement park or any other company in charge of maintaining the rides. In Georgia, these will normally be negligence or premises liability claims, which allege that the amusement park failed in its duty to keep patrons safe. If you would like more information about amusement park safety or to discuss your accident case, call Williams Elleby Howard & Easter, at 833-LEGALGA (833-534-2542)
