Amusement Park Injuries in Texas: When to Sue

Amusement parks across the country are in full swing as they welcome families from all over the nation. They’re a popular choice for summer vacation as they offer a wide variety of fun for the whole family.

However, amusement parks aren’t all fun and games — roughly 8,000 people in the U.S. are injured at amusement parks every year.

If you plan to visit an amusement park with your family this year, prepare in advance by learning who’s most at risk and what you can do if you or a family member is hurt.

Classification: What Qualifies as an Amusement Park Injury?

Carnivals, State Fairs, Water Parks, Rodeos, Amusement Parks, and Theme Parks all have rides and attractions that could result in injury. Regardless of what kind of site it is, the organizers and ride operators have similar responsibilities to their guests to ensure a reasonably safe experience.

Recent injury reports that the Texas Department of Insurance, which is responsible for regulating amusement parks across the state, has recently classified as “amusement ride injuries” happened at:

• Andretti Indoor Karting and Games,
• Celebration Station,
• Great Wolf Lodge,
• Hawaiian Falls,
• Schlitterbahn,
• Momentum Indoor Climbing,
• Sea World,
• Six Flags,
• Splashway,
• And Pleasure Pier.

Injury Demographics: Who’s Most At-Risk for an Amusement Park Injury?

According to data from the CPSC, age groups most at risk for amusement park injury are:

• Children Ages 10 to 14 — 17.9% of all injuries in a 13-year time period,
• Children Ages 15 to 17 — 13.8% of all injuries in a 13-year time period,
• Children Ages 5 to 9 — 12.6%  of all injuries in a 13-year time period,
• Children Ages 0 to 4 — 6.3% of all injuries in a 13-year time period.

Females are far more likely to be injured (60.8%) than males (39.2%) across all ride sites, age groups, and injury types.

What Causes Amusement Park Injuries?

Some common factors that contribute to amusement park injuries include:

• Ride Failure — Mechanical parts can break or malfunction (especially if the ride is older) and cause serious harm to the rider. Poorly designed rides may also contribute to a malfunction.
• Poorly Trained Employees — Companies occasionally cut corners on hiring practices and training to fill personnel needs during the summer months. If ride operators aren’t adequately trained in operation or supervision, riders can be put in a very dangerous situation.
• Crowd Levels — Overcrowded theme parks can sometimes result in pushing/shoving while getting on and off rides due to excessive wait times.
• Hazards — Wet pavement or steps, loose or broken handrails, and debris can cause serious injury to guests if sites are not properly maintained.

Most Common Amusement Park Injuries

Of the roughly 8,000 injuries people experience in amusement parks, the most common include:

• Whiplash,
• Fractures,
• Bruising,
• TBI/Concussion,
• Internal Organ Damage,
• Drowning,
• Spinal Cord Injuries,
• And Lacerations.

These injuries often have lasting effects that victims deal with for years after the accident. Some, like TBI and spinal cord injuries, can leave victims permanently disabled.

When Should I Sue for an Amusement Park Injury?

You should talk to a personal injury attorney about your legal options for an amusement park injury if:

• You were severely injured,
• You suffered a brain injury (TBI, Concussion, etc.),
• You suffered a permanent or disabling injury,
• Or you lost a loved one in an accident.

Everyone assumes a certain level of risk when riding an amusement park ride. However, that doesn’t give amusement park companies a free pass to be grossly negligent. Parties who could potentially be responsible for an amusement park injury include:

• The Company/Organizer,
• The Ride Manufacturer,
• A Maintenance Company,
• Ride Operators,
• And Property Owners.

If you or a loved one was hurt or killed at an amusement park, reach out to Carabin Shaw law firm to talk to an attorney about your legal options today.

Were You or Loved One Injured at an Amusement Park in Texas? Call Carabin Shaw.

If you were hurt at an amusement park or similar site in Texas, you may be entitled to compensation for things like:

• Ambulance Costs,
• ER Treatment,
• Medical Care,
• Surgeries,
• Lost Work,
• Loss of Earning Capacity,
• Pain and Suffering,
• Trauma/PTSD,
• Wrongful Death,
• And More.

Carabin Shaw will help you find out for free.

Call 800-862-1260 today to schedule your free case evaluation with one of our attorneys. No fees, no obligations, just expert legal advice. We look forward to serving you.

Contacting a Carabin Shaw attorney is free and does not obligate you to work with the firm.

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¹Texas Department of Insurance

²CPSC Demographics Data

³CPSC Injury Data