For families throughout Missouri and Kansas, a trip to an amusement park is one of the highlights of the summer. The rides featured at theme parks, fairs or carnivals in the area can be exhilarating, especially for children. But thrill rides can sometimes turn deadly. If the owners or operators of an amusement park fail to keep the visitors safe, they may be liable for injuries or fatalities.
If you or a loved one was injured at an amusement park in Missouri or Kansas, you may need an experienced Kansas City personal injury lawyer. Contact us today for a free consultation to discuss your options.
Types of Theme Park Accident Injuries
Due to the nature of amusement parks, children are especially at risk of serious injuries, including but not limited to the following:
- Brain injury
- Spinal cord injury
- Broken bones from falls
- Deep cuts
- Amputation
- Even death
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates that two people on average are killed each year on amusement park rides. An estimated 1,415 injuries occurred on amusement park rides in 2011, according to the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA).
Some of the area’s popular attractions include:
- Worlds of Fun
- Oceans of Fun
- Schlitterbahn
- CoCo Key Water Resort
- Great Wolf Lodge
- Six Flags St. Louis
- Silver Dollar City
- Local traveling fair or carnival
Amusement park lawsuits or wrongful death lawsuits linked to theme park accidents are not unusual. Furthermore, legal action against a theme park may not be related to a serious ride injury. Many claims arise from a slip-and-fall accident or other premises liability claims. For example, a patron may get assaulted by another intoxicated patron or may get injured in the park’s parking lot due to inadequate security.
Who Is Responsible For Amusement Park Injuries?
A theme park injury in Missouri or Kansas can happen for any number of reasons, including careless ride operators, mechanical failure, poor maintenance or poor design. The manufacturer of the ride could possibly be at fault in an accident. Sometimes a theme park visitor may be at fault because of his or her own actions.
A personal injury lawyer can examine the circumstances of the accident to determine if the theme park or its employees were negligent or the ride was not designed properly. An investigation may include:
- An examination of the construction and maintenance of the rides
- A close look at the policies and procedures in place at the theme park
- A review of all paperwork
You may be entitled to compensation for your injuries if another party is found to be liable. If you or a loved one was seriously injured, or a loved one was killed in an amusement park accident, contact an experienced personal injury attorney today.
Call us today at 816-842-7100 to speak with an attorney. Or you can click here to email us and schedule your free consultation.
