Amusement Park Accidents

Amusement and water parks are some of the top attractions in Florida. Residents and tourists alike visit these parks to have fun and relax with the family. However, serious injuries to both adults and children can result when amusement parks permit dangerous conditions on their property. The premises liability attorneys at the Law Offices of Robert Dixon help people in Miami and the surrounding areas who have been hurt while visiting an amusement park. We can guide you in pursuing proper compensation from those responsible.

The safety of visitors should be the first priority of any amusement park, since crowds can be massive, and the possibility of chaos is ever present. When amusement park owners and operators do not practice the appropriate vigilance, devastating harm can result. Common causes of amusement park accidents include:

• Failure of employees to lock or secure doors and gates that lead to unsafe areas;
• Lack of maintenance or proper inspection of structures and rides;
• Operators of rides who are under the influence of alcohol or drugs;
• Construction areas that are not properly marked or sequestered;
• Inadequate training or background checks of staff;
• Slippery areas due to spills; and
• Poor lighting that can contribute to assaults or other criminal activity.

If amusement parks do not maintain a safe environment, and guests are injured as a result, a victim may pursue damages through a premises liability claim.

Amusement park owners and their employees are obligated to make sure the property is free from dangerous conditions that might harm their guests. All property owners owe the highest degree of care to business invitees, who are people who visit the premises for the commercial benefit of the property owner. This includes a duty to perform routine inspections of the premises, fix any hazards in a timely manner, and warn guests of any dangerous, non-obvious conditions that may be present. When a guest suffers an injury in a park, the victim must show that the property owner, or its agent, fell below this standard of care.

To prevail in a premises liability claim, a plaintiff must prove that the dangerous condition that caused the accident was known, or should have been known, to the property’s owner and that inadequate measures were taken to remove or warn of it. For example, an amusement park undergoing renovations to areas or rides should take proper precautions to make sure those areas are clearly marked and sealed off from guests. If the park fails to mark the area, or signs are obscured or damaged, and a guest gains access, injuring themselves, the park may be held accountable for damages. The failure of a company to conduct proper hiring practices, especially for a temporary park or attraction, can potentially also lead to liability. If a claim is established, a victim may recover damages in the form of past and future medical costs, loss of income or earning capacity, and pain and suffering.

Amusement parks should be a safe place for guests to enjoy, and when owners or operators fail to ensure that safe environment, they should be held accountable for their careless actions. Serving accident victims in Miami and other cities, the injury lawyers at the Law Offices of Robert Dixon are dedicated to trying to ensure that careless people and entities are held liable for the harm that they cause. We also represent residents of Miami and other communities throughout Broward, Palm Beach, and Miami-Dade Counties. If you have been hurt while visiting an amusement park, call 877.499.4878 or contact us online to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation about your case.