When Amusement Parks Fail in Their Duty to Keep Patrons Safe

By Grant Law Office on June 30, 2023

Amusement Parks are subject to the Rules and Regulations of the State of Georgia in Chapter 120-3-28. These rules establish minimum safety requirements for amusement parks and carnival rides. They set specific standards for the assembly, installation, inspection, maintenance, repair, use, operation, and disassembly of all amusement rides for the protection of the public and employees. The Georgia Office of Safety Fire Commissioner is responsible for overseeing and enforcing state rules and regulations concerning amusement parks and carnivals.

In addition, under Georgia premises liability law, owners and operators of amusement parks and carnivals may be held liable for injuries and deaths caused by dangerous rides or other hazardous conditions on the property. Operators of theme parks have a duty to act reasonably to protect their patrons from dangerous conditions. Among other duties, they have a responsibility to:

• Properly train their employees
• Know, share, and enforce height and weight requirements.
• Post warning signs of any potential dangers.
• Implement ride rules and regulations.

Why Is It So Important for Amusement Parks to Comply with Rules and Regulations?

Even when the latest safety features are implemented, amusement park rides such as roller coasters have an inherent element of danger. High speeds and the forces of gravity and inertia can lead to serious accidents if safety rules and regulations are not followed to the letter. Amusement and theme park visitors should be aware that accidents can and do happen.

How Can Operator Negligence Lead to Serious Amusement Park Injuries?

Owners and operators of amusement parks can fall short of their duty of care in a number of ways, including:

• Inadequate staffing
• Failure to properly train employees
• Failure to inspect and properly maintain rides
• Failure to repair, replace, or remove broken or dangerous equipment
• Lack of or inadequate warning signage
• Using rides with poor designs that create unsafe conditions
• Failure to enforce posted safety rules
• Inadequate or improperly maintained restraints lead to ejection from rides
• Slippery surfaces or other slip or trip-and-fall hazards existing on the property
• Inadequate security resulting in third-party assaults

What Are the Statistics on Amusement Park Injuries?

A report on amusement ride-related injuries and deaths in the U.S. from 1987 through 2000 was published by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). The report covers CPSC data on fatalities and injuries treated in emergency rooms involving mobile and fixed-site amusement rides:

• An estimated 10,580 injuries associated with amusement rides were treated in emergency rooms in 2000.
• Fixed-site rides accounted for 6,590 of those injuries, while mobile rides accounted for 3,990.
• Most injuries were sustained by children 10 through 14 years old (17.9%), five through nine years old (12.6%), 15 through 19 years old (13.8%), and zero through four years old (6.3%).
• From 1987 through 1999, an estimated average of 4.5 fatalities related to amusement rides occurred every year.

What Compensation Is Available for Amusement Park Injuries Caused by Negligence?

If you or your child has been injured at an amusement park because of owner or operator negligence, you may have a claim for compensation against responsible parties. Our experienced husband and wife team of Atlanta premises liability lawyers can investigate your accident to determine fault and liability and calculate the full extent of your damages. Depending on the specific circumstances of your case, you may be entitled to claim past and future medical expenses, lost earnings, diminished earning capacity, pain and suffering, and other losses.

At Grant Law Office, we have the knowledge, skills, and resources to effectively pursue the compensation you deserve after a serious amusement park accident. Contact us at (404) 995-3955 to find out how we can help.