When you decide to spend the day at an amusement park, it is undoubtedly because you and your family want to have an exciting day. Amusement parks market themselves as places where people can enjoy the thrills of adrenaline-producing rides and the thrill of live shows. What people rarely expect is to be hurt at an amusement park. Unfortunately, it does happen.
Types of Amusement Park Injuries
According to statistics, the most dangerous rides are those found at traveling carnivals and fairs. A study from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) discovered that in a six-year time period, between 2,800 and 4,300 injuries treated in emergency rooms had occurred at mobile amusement parks. The study also found that from 1987 to 2001, 55 people lost their lives at amusement parks, both mobile and fixed.
The types of injuries sustained at amusement parks include falls, stroke, traumatic brain injury and paralysis. Visitors to parks have drowned, broken bones and torn ligaments. When you consider all of the rides available and the amount of walking that is done at amusement parks, it is easy to imagine the types of injuries that can occur.
Risks Associated with Amusement Parks
Defective equipment can be found at amusement parks just like it can be found at any business. Employees may fail to perform safety checks, and supervisors may fail to properly monitor employees. The amusement park owners may have failed to ensure that their parks are set up following current safety protocols. There are a variety of risks that are associated with these types of parks.
Your Legal Rights
There is no federal law that dictates amusement park safety, but there are some states that have regulations in place. If you or a loved one has been injured at an amusement park, either mobile or fixed, you may have legal rights. You need the assistance of an attorney who will review:
- Whether you are entitled to compensation;
- Whether you were an employee or a guest of the amusement park;
- Whether the amusement park can be held liable for your injuries.
If you have sustained a personal injury in North Carolina, please call our office. A member of our team will review the details of your case and advise you of your options under current state law. Call now for assistance or browse our website for more information about our firm.