Water parks should be a place where families can come together and have fun. Unfortunately, they can also be dangerous places. At The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker we have seen too many accidents involving children who drowned or were otherwise injured at water parks. When this happens, who is responsible? The answer may not be as simple as you think.
If you or a family member has been injured at a water park then you may have legal grounds to seek compensation for damages. Reach out to The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker at 800-333-0000 for a free legal consultation.
Tragic circumstances arise every day
One example of a water park accident happened to a 10-year-old boy from California who was playing in a waterpark in Dublin. He was coming down a slide called the Emerald Plunge, which has an incredible 80-degree drop. People who witnessed the accident said that the boy flew from the slide when he got to the bottom and landed straight on the concrete.
This story does have a happy ending: He was sent to the hospital and treated for abrasions but was soon released. In this particular case, the slide in question required that anyone who rides it be at least 48 inches tall. However, it did not have a weight requirement. What is truly concerning is that this design is used at water parks throughout the United States.
You may be surprised to learn how dangerous water parks can be
On average, about 4,200 people seek hospital treatment each year following injuries at water parks. This includes slips and falls, rides malfunctioning, and falls from rides. Since 2010, over 30 people have lost their lives on water slides or amusement park rides.
The damage done in water park accidents can include catastrophic injuries. For example, people have suffered from head injuries, spinal cord injuries, fractured bones, drowning, and even decapitation and amputation. Any of these injuries results in huge medical costs, missed time from work, and incredible amounts of pain.
The duty of a water park
A water park as a legal responsibility to ensure that their rides and grounds are reasonably safe when used for their intended purpose. If an injury results from the employees of the water park being negligent, then the water park can be held responsible. This includes not maintaining rides, not warning riders of known risks, using slides and rides with dangerous designs, and not properly supervising guests.
In some cases, an accident can happen at a water park but an external party can be responsible. For example, if the issue was a slide that was poorly designed or otherwise defective, then the company that designed and built the water slide may be responsible. To find out more about what your options are and who may be responsible for your injuries, please contact The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker at 800-333-0000 for a free legal consultation.
