Amusement Park Accident Lawyer

When negligence occurs at an amusement park, where roller coasters travel at high speeds and rides soar many feet into the air, the consequences can be catastrophic.

A 7-year-old boy fell from the Skyride at the Mississippi State Fair in Jackson, a ride operating approximately 30 feet off the ground. The boy was seriously injured and taken to the hospital. Investigators examined the ride following the incident and found no signs of mechanical malfunction; all safety lap bars, including the one in the car from which the boy fell, were reported to be functioning correctly.

Cases like this one highlight how difficult amusement park injury claims can be. When equipment is inspected as functional after an accident, determining what actually caused the injury—and who bears responsibility—requires a thorough investigation.

If you or a loved one has been injured at an amusement park, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries.  The following are some of the most common means of recovering from your injuries after an amusement park accident:

Negligence in Mississippi Amusement Parks

Over 300 million people go to amusement parks each year, as reported by the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions.  The likelihood of injury at an amusement park is estimated to be 1 in 9 million.  While this means the odds are in your favor for enjoying a day at the park injury-free, the potential for catastrophic injury at an amusement park is there.

An individual injured at an amusement park may be able to recover for their injuries through a personal injury suit.  For the amusement park to be held liable, a plaintiff must show the amusement park acted negligently and created or failed to prevent a dangerous condition that caused the injury.

Some of the most common negligence issues arising from amusement parks are:

• Ride defects
• Inadequate maintenance on rides
• Failure or poorly designed safety restraints
• Unlocked doors or gates that allow access to dangerous areas within the park
• Inadequate warnings as to restricted areas
• Inadequate ride warnings, such as warnings for those with heart problems to not ride the roller coaster
• Failure to properly train ride operators
• Ride operators who are under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• Slippery areas
• Poor upkeep of the amusement park grounds and buildings

If you are injured due to the actions of an amusement park’s employee, the park will generally be liable.  The amusement park is normally responsible for its employees’ actions.  Therefore, if an employee failed to inspect the safety harnesses on a ride, for instance, or did not post clear warnings, then the amusement park will still be liable.

Product Liability in Amusement Park Injuries

Not every amusement park injury is the result of negligence by the park itself. In some cases, the cause is a defective ride component—a design flaw or structural failure that exists independent of how the ride was maintained or operated. A faulty lap bar that unlatches mid-ride, for example, points to a product defect rather than a maintenance failure.

When a defective product causes an injury, liability may fall on the manufacturer, designer, or another party in the supply chain. These claims are more complex than standard negligence cases and require demonstrating that a specific defect existed, that it caused the accident, and that it resulted in measurable harm.

John D. Giddens, P.A., Can Help

The Giddens Law Firm is a boutique firm in Jackson, Mississippi, known for its exceptional representation in all types of personal injury and products liability cases.  John D. Giddens and his team of attorneys select only a few cases a year, allowing them to better focus on their clients’ needs.  If you or a loved one has been injured at an amusement park, call the Giddens Law Firm today at 601-355-2022 for a free consultation.