Theme parks are fantastic places to spend the day with family or friends. With plenty of rides suitable for children and adults alike, immersive scenery and a host of places to eat, there’s something for everyone. However, while theme parks are generally safe, with an extensive health and safety protocol to follow, accidents still happen occasionally. While in most cases these accidents don’t have serious consequences, sometimes they result in injuries both to park visitors and employees.
If you’ve suffered an injury at a theme park and believe it to be the fault of the theme park operator, you could be eligible to claim personal injury compensation. At InjuryLawyers4U, our expert solicitors are experienced in dealing with all kinds of personal injury claim. When you contact us, we can explain the process to you and let you know whether we think your case is likely to succeed, with no obligation to proceed. Should you choose to, we’ll appoint one of our experienced solicitors to represent you on a no win no fee basis.
Theme Park injuries explained
Theme park accidents are any type of accident resulting in injury that occurs in a theme park, amusement park or fairground. The most common types of theme park accidents that lead to injuries are:
- Slips, trips and falls caused by obstructions such as litter, slippery floors, ropes, barriers and unsteady pathways
- Broken or faulty rides
- Lack of proper food hygiene implementation in restaurants leading to food poisoning
- Unreliable or ineffective straps, harnesses and barriers on rides
Injuries that are caused by accidents at theme parks can often be minor, but in some cases they can be serious and even life changing. Here are some of the most common types of theme park injury:
- Head injuries
- Back injuries
- Spinal injuries
- Whiplash, often caused by abrupt stops on rides
- Broken or fractured bones
- Cuts and lacerations
- Bruising or soft tissue injuries
- Food poisoning (from food that has been unhygienically prepared on site)
- In order to be eligible to claim compensation for an injury sustained at a theme park, you must be able to prove that the theme park operator was negligent, that their negligence led to an accident occurring on the grounds of the theme park, and that injuries (either/both physical or psychological) occurred as a result. The best way to prove this is by gathering evidence at the site of the accident. Here’s what to do:
- Report the accident to theme park staff
Visit the front reception or speak to a member of staff patrolling the park and tell them about it. Ask for a copy of the accident report as this will support your claim.
- Take photos and videos
Photographic evidence will also support your claim significantly.
- Request CCTV footage
Theme parks have CCTV cameras in operation across the site to ensure visitor safety. If your accident was captured on the park’s CCTV system, it’s worth asking for a copy of the footage.
- Ask for contact details of witnesses
Was anyone there that saw your accident as it happened? If so, ask them for their contact details. Our expert solicitors may require a statement from them to help with your case.
- Seek medical treatment
Seeing your GP or seeking the help of a medical professional will not only help with your injuries but highlight the severity of the accident. You could be referred for further treatment depending on the scale of the injury, and your medical records will reflect that you required treatment for your theme park injury.
What is the chance of an injury at a theme park?
The chances of being injured at a theme park are very small. In fact, the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) say the chance of an injury at a theme park is one in 9 million. The chance of being injured while on a ride is even smaller at roughly one in 24 million, while fatal injuries are around one in 750 million. However, despite their rarity, these accidents do occur and have happened at several theme parks and entertainment complexes in the UK and Europe.
Do I waive liability when I enter a theme park?
Unfortunately, the answer to this question is not a simple one. Many theme parks require visitors to comply with a liability waiver, either signed formally or printed on the reverse of entry tickets as a condition of entry. However, these usually only cover instances of general negligence and not gross negligence. In cases where visitors are required to legally forgive the theme park operator’s failure to be responsible for guests’ safety, the operator is required to ensure that guests are well informed.
There are also limits to what theme park operators can waive liability for. For example, if an elderly guest with an existing heart condition chooses to go on a thrill ride that has warning signs for medical conditions and goes into cardiac arrest on the ride, it is unlikely the theme park will be held responsible. However, if a guest goes on a thrill ride and is injured due to mechanical error or a negligent operator, they could be able to claim for personal injury despite signing a waiver.
If you’ve been injured while attending a theme park and are unsure whether you can proceed with a claim, get in touch and speak to our expert lawyers. We can let you know the likelihood of your claim’s success in the very first conversation.
Are theme parks liable if I’m injured?
Theme park owners and operators have a duty to ensure health and safety guidelines are followed by all their staff and that the park is made as safe as possible. This includes but isn’t limited to frequent inspections and maintenance of rides, ensuring any slippery surfaces are signposted and food hygiene standards are adhered to in food outlets on site. If you are involved in an accident at a theme park that results in injury and it’s due to the negligence of the staff or park operator, you may be eligible to seek compensation.
Get in touch with InjuryLawyers4U today
Have you been injured as a result of an accident at a theme park? No matter how serious your injury, when you contact InjuryLawyers4U, our experienced solicitors can give you professional advice for your situation, let you know whether you have grounds to make a personal injury claim and assist in securing the compensation you deserve.
We’re on your side and ready to help make your claim successful. Get in touch with us by calling 0333 400 4445 or filling in an Enquiry Form online and you’ll receive expert advice from one of our specialist lawyers on a no win no fee basis. That means you’ll only pay legal fees if your case is successful.
