Baltimore Personal Injury Lawyers

Representing Victims Injured at Amusement Parks in Maryland

A trip to the amusement park can be a fun way for families to escape their everyday lives and enjoy some adventure. Sometimes, however, accidents can occur, turning what should be a day of fun into a tragedy. When this happens, it is critical to contact a law firm with experience handling these types of cases. Maryland personal injury lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton are dedicated to achieving justice and compensation for injured victims and their families. We fight for maximum compensation which sends a message to amusement park owners that safety must come first.

Amusement park injuries can be severe and life altering. Examples of injuries sustained in an amusement park accident include:

  • Amputation of limbs, fingers or toes
  • Broken bones, lacerations, contusions
  • Cerebral or retinal hemorrhage caused by extreme speeds or spinning
  • Drowning or near-drowning on water rides
  • Electrocution
  • Emotional trauma
  • Fatal falls and ride ejections
  • Paralysis
  • Permanent scarring and disfigurement
  • Strains and sprains caused by being whipped around or hard stops
  • Stroke caused by torn ligaments in the neck
  • Traumatic brain injury

Causes of Amusement Park Accidents

Amusement park rides can be extremely dangerous if proper safety precautions are not taken. Park owners, operators and ride manufacturers are responsible for ensuring the safety of guests. Common causes of amusement park injuries include:

  • Improper operation of the ride – caused by a careless, inattentive, or improperly trained ride operator.
  • Inherent nature of the ride – Some rides may be dangerous for people who do not meet certain height or weight requirements or for those with certain conditions. These rides should have clear warning signs posted and ride operators must take reasonable care to ensure that riders who are obviously unfit for a certain ride do not board.
  • Mechanical or structural failure – may be the result of a manufacturing defect or the park’s failure to properly maintain or inspect the ride.

Types of Amusement Park Accidents

Ferris wheel accidents – Ferris wheels are iconic structures enjoyed by people of all ages. But because Ferris wheels do not have the elaborate restraint systems or high speeds of roller coasters, many people presume that they are safe. Sadly, this is not always the case. Mechanical defects, poor maintenance, operator errors and even external factors such as high winds have been associated with deadly Ferris wheel accidents and injuries that happened when victims fell or were hit by falling debris.

Food poisoning – Amusement parks have the duty to ensure that not only are their rides safe, but the food they serve is safe too. Dangerous food borne illnesses are a serious problem and cause thousands of deaths every year. Food that is improperly handled or undercooked could result in a deadly bacterial infection. Additionally, food that is mislabeled or has come in contact with certain allergens can cause a life-threatening reaction in an unsuspecting park guest.

Inflatable device accidents – Soft, inflatable bounce houses and other play areas may seem safe, but given certain circumstances, they can be extremely dangerous. For example, if used in high winds or without adequate tie downs, an inflatable bounce house can become airborne, taking its occupants with it before crashing to the ground. Also, inadequate supervision can lead to overcrowding and increase the risk of children becoming injured in collisions with others or falling out of the inflatable. The operator must ensure that there are no tears in the floor or walls that a child could become entrapped in.

Roller coaster accidents – Roller coasters are the focal point of many amusement parks, enticing visitors with their extreme speeds and hair-raising turns. The tremendous force riders experience is what attracts them, but it is also the reason why roller coasters are involved in some of the most deadly and terrifying of all amusement park accidents. Riders have fallen or been thrown from the ride, resulting in traumatic injuries or death. Other problems may involve faulty brakes, restraint systems failures or injuries caused by hard stops.

Water park accidents – The unpredictable nature of water flow makes water rides particularly hazardous. Still, there are a number of steps that parks and employees can take to keep guests safe, such as inspect and maintain equipment, enforce weight and height limits, and train lifeguards.

Zip-line accidents – Zip lines have become increasingly popular for outdoor adventurists of all ages to experience the thrill of soaring high above the ground. Unfortunately, as the number of active zip lines has risen, so has the number of zip line injuries. Riders can suffer severe injuries if they fall off of a high platform or slip out of their harness. Other accidents have occurred when a person collided with a tree or other structure used to anchor the zip line. Proper training and use of safety equipment are essential to keep riders safe.

Baltimore Personal Injury Lawyers at LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton Fight for Clients who have been Injured in Amusement Park Accidents

Amusement park accident cases involving a wrongful death or catastrophic injury can be extremely complicated and may involve multiple layers of liability. If you have suffered a serious injury or someone you love has been injured or killed in an amusement park accident, we can help.  LeViness, Tolzman & Hamilton will thoroughly investigate your case to determine who was responsible for the incident and what remedies are available to you. Call 800-547-4LAW (4529) today to schedule a free case review with one of our experienced and dedicated Maryland personal injury lawyers. A qualified member of our legal team is available to take your call 24 hours a day or you can contact us online.

Our offices are conveniently located in Baltimore, Columbia, Glen Burnie and Towson, and we represent amusement park accident victims and their families throughout Maryland, including those in Anne Arundel County, Carroll County, Harford County, Howard County, Prince George’s County, Queen Anne’s County, Montgomery County, Maryland’s Western Counties, Southern Maryland and the Eastern Shore, as well as the communities of Catonsville, Essex, Halethorpe, Middle River, Rosedale, Gwynn Oak, Brooklandville, Dundalk, Pikesville, Parkville, Nottingham, Windsor Mill, Lutherville, Timonium, Sparrows Point, Ridgewood and Elkridge.