Injuries at Amusement Parks

Studies conducted by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) show that nearly 10,000 people are hurt every year in accidents at amusement parks. Over a 14 year period, more than 50 people died in amusement park accidents, with more than one in four deaths coming on roller coasters. About half of the injuries are sustained by children under the age of 14.

The Most Common Types of Amusement Park Injuries

Though amusement parks present all types of risks of injury, the ones most common, according to the CPSC report, were:

• Joint, neck, back or head injuries due to centrifugal force or to being spun around on different types of rides.
• Traumatic brain injury from the pressure of the brain against the skull in rides that inflict significant G-force or jolt back and forth or up and down.
• Stroke from injury to ligaments in the neck.
• Cerebral aneurysms (blood clots) from roller coasters or high-speed rides.
• Broken bones, cuts, bruises from careening off cars or safety restraints.
• Injuries caused from a fall from a ride.
• Drownings in water rides.

The Most Frequent Causes of Amusement Park Accidents

The CPSC study cited four primary causes of injury on amusement park rides:

• Operator error — In many instances, the ride operator was either inexperienced, poorly trained, or simply acted negligently or carelessly in either stopping a ride, or ensuring that proper restraints were in place.
• Mechanical problems — The CSPC noted instances where cars detached from a ride while in motion, restraints or bars came undone or loose during a ride, or a ride experienced a structural breakdown.
• Passenger error or negligence — The study also found that many accidents were caused by passengers who failed to follow instructions. This included people who stood up during a ride, disconnected safety mechanisms or intentionally rocked a car during a ride.
• The nature of the ride — On rides that spin at high velocities or speeds, certain people can experience dizziness, loss of consciousness, headaches, and even internal bleeding, such as cerebral or retinal hemorrhaging.

Contact Our Office

At Metzger & Kleiner, we offer a free initial consultation to all new clients. To schedule an appointment with an experienced Philadelphia personal injury lawyer, contact us by e-mail or call our office at 215-622-2210 in Philadelphia, 610-563-2186 in the Lehigh Valley, or toll free at 800-228-1760.