Amusement Park Malfunctions

Fourteen people recently died on a crash in a sightseeing cable car in Italy, according to news reports. Police arrested three people after learning the tragedy occurred after workers placed a clamp on the emergency brake to deactivate it as part of a patchwork repair. The brake was engaging when it wasn’t supposed to, making the funicular not work. Had the workers not done that, the emergency brake would have engaged when the lead cable snapped, potentially saving the visitors’ lives. 

Sadly, this is only one of the latest tragedies of this nature. There have been hundreds of similar reports involving injuries and deaths at theme parks, independent amusement parks, carnivals, water parks, and similar attractions. Here is what you need to know about amusement park accidents and what to do if you are injured in one.

Illinois Amusement Park Accidents 

Illinois is home to many amusement parks, action parks, and water parks, including:

• Six Flags
• Raging Waves Waterpark
• Santa’s Village
• Pirate’s Cove
• Sea Lion Aquatic Park
• Blackberry Farm
• Hurricane Harbor
• Knight’s Action Park
• County Fairgrounds

If an amusement park accident occurs at one of these locations, the legal claim may be based on product liability, premises liability, or negligence, depending on the nature of the accident. 

How Common Are Theme Park Accidents and Injuries? 

CNN reported that there were approximately 30,000 injuries in a recent year attributed to theme park accidents. These accidents were serious enough to require emergency room visits. 

According to Smart Advocate, there have been at least 47 deaths and 318 injuries in just ten theme parks and action parks in the last ten years. 

The Consumer Product Safety Commission reports an average of more than 10,000 injuries on inflatable amusement park rides, with 90 percent of these attributed to moon bounces. Another 3,100 public water slide accidents result in injuries each year.  

Types of Amusement Park Injuries

Some of the most common types of injuries that follow amusement park accidents include:

• Head, neck, and back injuries from impact caused on bumper car rides or bumper boats or from spinning on rides or roller coasters
• Traumatic brain injuries from the speed of some roller coasters or from a loose item hitting a person while on a ride
• Death or spinal cord injuries from falling off rides 
• Drowning injuries or oxygen deprivation caused from water rides 
• Broken bones or lacerations from impact caused by colliding cars or projectile items

Causes of Amusement Park Injuries 

Some of the most common causes of roller coaster deaths, action park deaths, and injuries from these locations include:

• Mechanical failure – A roller coaster accident can occur that causes a part of the structure to detach, parts to fail, or brakes not to work. 
• Negligent maintenance – Amusement park accidents can occur when the rides are not properly maintained. Theme park rides may require extra caution because of the sharp angles, momentum involved, and possible exposure to the elements. Theme park owners who fail to properly maintain their rides threaten the public safety and well-being.
• Inadequate operation – Some park rides must be manually operated by people. These individuals are supposed to be adequately trained so that they know how to properly operate the ride and react in case of an emergency. These individuals are also supposed to check to make sure occupants are properly secured and that restraints are working. If they fail in these duties, park visitors could be injured or killed on the ride. 
• Failure to warn – Some rides are not safe for people with certain medical conditions, such as pregnancy, epilepsy, or heart conditions. If a theme park does not provide clear warnings about the dangers to certain groups and someone is injured in a foreseeable manner, the theme park may be liable for the resulting injuries. 

Regulations Regarding Amusement Parks 

Amusement parks that are stationary are regulated by state agencies or third parties who are responsible for establishing rules for their maintenance and operation. These entities may also conduct safety inspections. 

The Consumer Product Safety Commission regulates mobile sites that travel from location to location, such as fairground or carnival rides. 

How Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C. Can Help

If you or a loved one was injured at an amusement park, contact the experienced Illinois personal injury lawyers at Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C.. We have recovered more than $1.6 billion for our deserving clients and can get to work immediately on your case. We offer a free consultation and can advise you if you have a valid claim and a right to compensation for the injuries you have sustained.