The Most Commonly Reported Amusement Park Accidents
Amusement parks are generally broken down into those that are fixed-site and those that are mobile. In New Jersey, Six Flags Great Adventure is one of the most popular amusement parks in the state. This is considered a fixed-site amusement park because it is a permanent location with permanent structures that do not travel. Your typical traveling carnival that builds rides and attractions for a period of time in one location and then packs up to go to another location would be considered a mobile amusement park.
Accidents can happen at both mobile and fixed-site amusement parks. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), every year, there are thousands of reported injuries that require emergency room treatment from accidents at amusement parks. Both fixed-site amusement parks and mobile parks are included in the data. While deaths from amusement park accidents are rarely reported, fatal accidents can occur in some situations.
If you were injured at an amusement park in New Jersey, then you may be entitled to financial compensation. Our personal injury attorney at Monaco Law PC can assist you with your case.
Amusement Park Injuries
Despite the CPSC’s data collection and reporting of amusement park accidents, since there is no national reporting system or standards for regulation and enforcement, there is a good chance that the number of injured park-goers is actually much higher than the CPSC’s numbers.
A good example is that of Action Park, a New Jersey waterpark that opened in 1978. After several injury accidents and a handful of deadly ones, Action Park became known as “Accident Park.” The many incidents at the park eventually led to its demise and closing in 1996. The park’s owner’s negligence was a significant factor in why there were so many injury accidents and why six people lost their lives. The deadly incidents were cited as three drowning deaths, one electrocution, a fatal heart attack, and a lethal head injury. At Action Park, even though there were so many injury accidents reported, there were also countless that were not. In fact, park employees were instructed not to count injury accidents they witnessed.
Action Park is no longer a danger to the public, but that does not mean the risk of amusement park accidents has been eliminated. When amusement park accidents happen, the most commonly reported injuries include:
- Upper body injuries that affect the head, neck, and back. Typically, faster rides where g-force is a factor can cause these injuries.
- Head trauma and concussions
- Slip, fall, and tripping incidents.
- Food poisoning
- Drowning
- Strokes where neck ligaments are harmed
- Cuts, lacerations, bruises
- Death
Speak to a New Jersey Personal Injury Attorney Today
Please call our South Jersey personal injury lawyer at Monaco Law PC after your amusement park injury accident. You are welcome to schedule a free consultation at (609) 277-3166 for our New Jersey office and (215) 546-3166 for our office in Pennsylvania.
We are a New Jersey personal injury law firm serving Atlantic County, Burlington County, Cape May County, Camden County, Cumberland County, Gloucester County, Mercer County, Middlesex County, Ocean County, Salem County, and all of South Jersey.
Source:
cpsc.gov/s3fs-public/pdfs/amus2001.pdf
