News & Events

Amusement Park Safety

The 10-year-old son of a Kansas state legislator was killed on August 7, 2016 while riding the Verrückt, the world’s tallest water slide, at the Schlitterbahn water park in Kansas City, Kansas. This tragedy reminds us that serious injuries and death at amusement parks, while rare, do happen.

Details of this tragic accident have not been released. However, studies indicate that many serious injuries or deaths at amusement parks occur because the guest didn’t follow posted ride safety guidelines or rode with a pre-existing medical condition.

The International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions created a list of amusement ride safety tips for guest use. These include:

• Obey listed age, height, weight, and health restrictions.
• Observe all posted ride safety rules, and follow all verbal instructions given by ride operators or provided by recorded announcements.
• Keep hands, arms, legs and feet inside the ride at all times.
• Do not board a ride impaired.
• Remain seated in the ride until it comes to a complete stop.
• Always use safety equipment provided and never attempt to wriggle free of or loosen restraints or other safety devices.
• Parents should make sure their children can understand and follow safe and appropriate ride behavior.
• Never force anyone, especially children, to ride attractions they don’t want to ride.

By following these tips, your chances of being injured at an amusement park will be greatly reduced. In some cases, expert personal injury lawyers can sue the amusement park owner or operator for failing to follow accepted safety practices and causing or contributing to serious injury or death. If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in an amusement park accident, speaking to a personal injury about your legal rights is an important first step.

Oatley Vigmond represents injured individuals in their claims against insurance companies.
Oatley Vigmond can be reached at (705) 726-9021 or 1-888-662-2481.