California Amusement Park Accident Attorneys
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Our California Amusement Park Accident Lawyers Can Guide You Through Your Legal Options
Our amusement park accident attorneys can assist clients who are injured at permanent locations, such as Disneyland or Universal Studios Hollywood, as well as at temporary events like county fairs or traveling carnivals. We work to pursue fair compensation for those who were hurt through no fault of their own.
Our approach is the same in every claim, no matter the amusement park or the injuries involved; we break down the injuries and the circumstances in which they occurred and then work meticulously backward from there. By following this strategy, we work to help our clients understand their legal options and pursue appropriate recovery allowable under California law.
If you choose to trust us to represent you in connection with your California amusement park accident, one of our personal injury attorneys can advocate for you throughout the legal process.
California Is Full Of Amusement And Theme Parks, But Also Presents Significant Risks For Visitors To Those Parks
California is home to numerous amusement and theme parks that attract visitors from around the world each year. According to Statista, 51.3 million people visited amusement and theme parks in California in 2023. The State of California is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the United States for visitors from all over the world. This is due to several factors, including California’s beautiful weather, its long history as the world’s entertainment capital, and its many attractions, including its many and varied amusement parks.
Among the attractions that bring thousands of visitors to California each year, there are countless theme parks and amusement parks scattered throughout the length and breadth of the state of California, with a large concentration of those parks in Southern California. Some of the many amusement parks in California include:
- Disneyland in Anaheim
- California Adventure
- Knotts Berry Farm
- Great America San Jose
- Legoland Carlsbad
- Scandia
- Magic Mountain Valencia
- Universal Studios Hollywood
- SeaWorld San Diego
- Discovery Kingdom
- Hurricane Harbor
- Wild River
- Raging Waters
Many of these parks offer thrilling rides that can be great fun as well as relatively safe, or as safe as an amusement park ride ever can be, for the park’s patrons. However, there are often severe safety risks that accompany visits to both amusement parks and theme parks that many California residents or visitors to California may not be aware of when visiting these parks and riding these attractions. These can be especially great depending on whether the particular park and its owners and management take park visitor safety seriously.
Accidents and injuries can occur when a park does not properly maintain its rides, provide adequate safety measures, or ensure that staff are trained and follow safety protocols. In some cases, questions may arise as to whether an attraction had gone through proper inspections before it opened to visitors.
With new attractions designed to provide thrilling experiences for visitors, the amusement park industry continues to innovate. Many of these rides offer great promise to thrill-seekers, but in many instances, result in injuries due to the stress these rides place on the human body. The competition among California amusement parks to provide the ultimate thrill ride has led to the creation of faster and riskier rides. As rides become more intense, park operators must balance thrill with safety through proper design and maintenance.
April 2019: $14M settlement in a traumatic brain injury case involving a defective piece of equipment at a factory.– Brian Beecher
How Common Are California Amusement Park Accidents, And What Are The Injuries That Occur As A Result?
The International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) stated that there is a 1 in 15.5 million chance of being seriously injured on a fixed-site ride at a U.S. amusement park. Even with safety measures, regulations, and legal requirements in place, accidents and injuries can still occur at amusement parks in California and across the country.
According to an article in the SFGate on amusement park injuries in California, most individuals who get injured at amusement parks in California suffer minor injuries like cuts, bruises, or bumps. People also commonly suffer from dizziness, nausea, or vomiting as a result of the type of rides that are offered at amusement parks. However, individuals can also experience much more severe injuries as a result of amusement park accidents.
Some of the serious injuries people can sustain at an amusement or theme park include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Strain or sprain of the neck
- Stroke resulting from neck trauma
- Traumatic brain injury
- Broken bones
- Lacerations
- Deadly falls
- Drowning
Who Regulates Amusement Parks In California And How Are They Regulated?
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (“CPSC”) tracks statistics for all amusement ride accidents. In California, the state Occupational and Safety and Health Administration (“Cal-OSHA”) is also in charge of regulating and regularly inspecting amusement park rides. Cal-OSHA has a specific department, the Amusement Park and Tramway Unit, that regulates and tracks safety at amusement parks in California.
CNN reported that the CPSC estimated around 30,900 injuries related to amusement attractions, including rides at both permanent and traveling parks, were treated in emergency departments nationwide in 2016. The commission also indicated that, since 2010, there have been 22 deaths connected to amusement attractions.
In California, data from SFGate show that drowning incidents at water parks accounted for most amusement park fatalities between 2011 and 2016.
Water Park And Water Slide Accidents And Injuries In California
Aside from the risk of drowning, water parks have other unique dangers that may not be present at different types of amusement parks, like water in places that can easily cause patrons to slip and injure themselves. Incidents may also occur if a water park fails to employ sufficient lifeguards or take other appropriate safety measures for both guests and workers.
County Fair & Local Carnival Accident Claims
While California’s large theme parks are in a fixed location and are a well-known source of accidents, some incidents also occur in temporary settings. Mobile carnivals and county fairs that frequently relocate may have different safety considerations compared to permanent amusement parks.
The rides at these fairs often are set up, broken down, and then moved to another location, perhaps even another state, without adequate and proper inspection, which makes it even more difficult to monitor the safety of these rides. Some carnival rides may have outdated designs that could present different safety considerations compared to modern equipment. It can be difficult to gather important evidence once a carnival or fair ends since the rides are removed.
Our Experience And Approach In Representing Amusement Park Injury Victims In California
Arash Law’s injury lawyers under Arash Khorsandi can represent victims injured in amusement and theme parks. We represent clients throughout California and provide flexible meeting arrangements. Our team strives to offer a client-centered approach, aiming to provide the support our clients need.
Our injury law firm prioritizes client communication, working to keep you informed about your case throughout the process. Once you work with us, you will have access to one of our attorneys to discuss your case and address your concerns.
We will review your case, explain the process, and help you understand the potential damages available under California law for your situation. Our commitment is to offer a straightforward evaluation of your claim so you remain well-informed at every stage.
We aim to be honest and straightforward with you from the start. To achieve this, we try to provide a realistic understanding of what to expect from the process and potential compensation based on your injuries and the specifics of your situation.
If you are looking for an experienced attorney to represent you in connection with your amusement park or theme park injury anywhere in California, contact our firm at (888) 488-1391.
How Our Personal Injury Lawyers Help You Navigate The Legal Challenges Associated With An Amusement Park Injury
When it comes to pursuing legal claims related to amusement park accidents, there are often several legal challenges that may impede attorneys who are unfamiliar with representing clients pursuing such claims. As a preliminary step, our California amusement park accident attorneys at Arash Law, led by Arash Khorsandi, may be able to work with safety investigators who can help to reconstruct the accident in which our client was injured and pinpoint the specific mechanism of injury in each case.
Safety experts and investigators “take apart” every incident in which one of our clients is injured to determine the cause of the amusement park injury or accident. While the park may conduct an internal investigation, it may be beneficial for an injured claimant to obtain their own independent investigation of the accident. An amusement park’s investigation may not be focused on your best interests, which is why an independent investigation focused on your claim may also be helpful.
Consider hiring a California amusement park accident lawyer soon after your accident to help investigate your claim and work to preserve important evidence. It’s also crucial that the amusement park’s employees do not destroy documents and evidence relating to the accident.
Some Dos And Don’ts For Those Who Get Hurt In An Accident At An Amusement Or Theme Park In California
Amusement and theme parks commonly obtain liability insurance coverage as part of their risk management strategy. It is because amusement parks present unique safety considerations compared to most businesses, even when safety protocols are in place. After an incident at an amusement park in which you were injured, it is advisable to consult with a California personal injury attorney before agreeing to any settlement with the amusement park, its attorneys, or insurer(s).
It is generally recommended not to accept an insurance settlement without first seeking legal guidance. You need a clear idea of what your current and future injury-related expenses, as well as such intangible costs as pain and suffering, are before you sign a legally binding agreement that gives up your right to later sue the park or its insurer(s). Otherwise, you may receive an inadequate settlement. Your attorney may be able to help you assess your damages in order to determine an adequate payout.
