A visit to a theme park is an enjoyable way to spend time with friends and family. However, when the park or another party fails to prioritize visitor safety, injuries and even tragic deaths can occur.
If you or your loved one has suffered injuries due to an accident at a California amusement park, contact Gavel Law Firm at (951) 289-0202. Bryan A. Mason, our skilled personal injury attorney in Riverside, is here to provide you with experienced legal assistance. You may be eligible for compensation that can alleviate your accident costs and help you focus on healing.
Risks Associated with California Theme Parks
Residents of Riverside, California enjoy convenient access to many nearby theme parks and water parks. Examples of these include:
- Disneyland
- Disney’s California Adventure
- Universal Studios
- Six Flags Magic Mountain
- Knott’s Berry Farm
- SeaWorld
- Legoland
- Water slides
- Trampoline parks
- Carnivals
- Laser-tag centers.
However, it is regrettable that mishaps frequently occur at theme parks. The US Consumer Product Safety Commission reports that nearly 30,000 individuals required immediate medical attention in 2016 due to injuries sustained at amusement parks nationwide.
Types of Injuries Incurred at Amusement Parks
Different kinds of injuries occur in amusement park accidents, and many of them lead to significant expenses and distress for the victims. Common amusement park injuries include:
- Electric Shock
- Burn injuries
- Broken bones
- Drowning
- Head, neck, and back injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Internal organ damage
- Brain aneurysms
- Whiplash
- Death.
Typical Causes of Amusement Park Accidents
Injuries at amusement parks can be attributed to various reasons, such as:
- Mechanical breakdown
- Structural flaw
- Exposed electrical wiring
- Faulty or absent safety apparatus
- Defective lap bars or restraints
- Insufficient ride maintenance
- Incorrect assembly of ride
- Neglectful ride operators.
If you believe your amusement park injury was due to someone else’s negligence, speak to us at Gavel Law Firm right away. Our personal injury attorney can provide you with valuable legal advice and potentially represent you in a legal action against the amusement parks.
The Question of Liability at Riverside Amusement Parks
In California, there are various grounds we can use for an amusement park injury claim:
Premises liability
Property owners should practice reasonable care in maintaining and managing their facilities. Failure to do so may make them accountable for injuries occurring on their premises, leading to a premises liability case. An example of amusement park premises liability is when injuries occur because the park failed to inspect a ride or failed to check lap bars.
Product liability
Product liability claims can arise if a ride is deemed inherently hazardous, even when adequate maintenance and inspection are conducted. For example, it can be a water slide with an unsafe design or a poorly constructed roller-coaster. The manufacturer of the product may be liable for injuries, whether or not that manufacturer is the theme park itself.
Negligence
The amusement park can be deemed liable for visitor injuries if it neglects to ensure the safety of its rides and activities. This includes instances where park employees fail to provide appropriate warnings regarding a ride or fail to check the safety belts of every patron.
Defendants in Amusement Park Accident Cases
Typically, defendants in amusement park accident cases include:
- Amusement park owners
- Careless ride operators
- Amusement park ride manufacturers
- Property management firms.
As you try to claim your fair compensation after an amusement park accident, you may have to face well-resourced companies, their insurers, and their legal teams. This can make your claim much more difficult. However, it’s not impossible to get properly compensated. Get the help of an amusement park accident lawyer from Gavel Law Firm, as we are experienced and strategic in cases like this.
What You May be Entitled to in an Amusement Park Injury Claim
Successful claimants in these cases have the potential to obtain compensation for:
- Medical bills and expenses
- Lost income
- Diminished earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Mental/emotional distress
- Diminished enjoyment of life
- And more.
Filing a Theme Park Wrongful Death Claim in California
In case of a death resulting from an accident at a theme park, the family of the deceased may file a wrongful death lawsuit against the responsible party. A successful wrongful death case provides financial compensation to cover various aspects which include, but are not limited to:
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Medical bills related to the accident
- Lost earnings that the deceased would have made
- Lost benefits from the deceased
- Lost companionship
- Lost emotional support.
It is crucial to get competent representation to hold the negligent parties fully accountable. At Gavel Law Firm, we are experienced in handling cases of amusement park accidents. Our highly skilled attorneys tirelessly advocate for our clients’ interests, striving to get them the maximum possible settlement.
Take action right away, as there are time limits for personal injury cases. In general, California allows you to file a personal injury lawsuit within two years of the accident, but various factors can change this timeline. It’s best to consult with an attorney as soon as you can. We at Gavel Law Firm will provide you with a free consultation.
Can I Make an Amusement Park Injury Claim Even If I Signed a Waiver?
This is one of the common questions of theme park injury victims, as they worry that their signed waiver could prevent them from pursuing an injury claim. The answer is that it may still be possible to sue an amusement park even if you signed a liability waiver. This depends on whether the injury was a result of “assumed risk” or of the park’s negligence.
Assumed risk refers to the typically expected dangers associated with park rides and activities. For instance, bumper-car riders know that they must keep their hands and feet within their car to prevent them from getting hit by other cars. A rider who flails their arms around may be said to willingly accept the injury risk.
On the other hand, park visitors don’t expect to be electrocuted during their bumper-car ride. If they experience an electrical injury due to the park’s faulty wiring, for example, they may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit.
To know your legal options after signing an amusement park liability waiver, please discuss it with a personal injury attorney. Gavel Law Firm is ready to listen and assess your case through a free consultation.
The Role of Attorneys in Amusement Park Accident Cases
Amusement park accident attorneys have crucial roles in amusement park accident cases, including:
- Evaluating the claimant’s best legal pathways to compensation
- Establish liability by compiling evidence and enlisting various experts
- Filing a personal injury claim with insurance companies
- Negotiating a favorable settlement on behalf of the client
- Filing a personal injury lawsuit if necessary to get the client fully compensated
- Litigating the case in court if necessary for full compensation.
We do all these and more at Gavel Law Firm. As we pour hours into our legal work, we provide our clients with considerate care to help ease their stress throughout the case. We communicate constantly, answer questions clearly, and assist them every step of the way. Call Gavel Law Firm and see what we can do for you.
Advantages of Hiring an Amusement Park Accident Lawyer
The primary advantage of engaging an attorney for amusement park accidents is their ability to secure the most substantial settlement for their clients’ cases.
Our personal injury attorney at Gavel Law Firm can examine the true worth of your accident claim, factoring in various aspects of your life that deserve compensation. We’re also fearless in holding negligent parties accountable. We are not easily intimidated by insurance companies or park owners who may bear fault, thus we can strongly advocate for what you’re entitled to.
If your case requires going to court, we can handle the lawsuit on your behalf, relieving you of the legal stress so you can fully concentrate on your healing.
Gavel Law Firm provides a complimentary case evaluation, and you won’t have to pay us any lawyer fees until we win compensation for you. This means you don’t risk any money when you choose us for your amusement park accident claim.
Contact Our Riverside Amusement Park Accident Lawyer
When injured in an amusement park accident, finding the right lawyer to assist you can be challenging. Rely on Riverside personal injury attorney Bryan Mason at Gavel Law Firm to diligently pursue maximum compensation on your behalf.
Contact Gavel Law Firm today at (951) 289-0202, and let us promptly begin the process of helping you.
