Every year, millions in the United States head to amusement parks for summer fun, blissfully unaware of the potential liability such parks have faced in recent years. Entertainment is big business and there is more pressure for amusement parks to create wilder rides and attractions to keep customers coming back year after year. There are at least a few accidental deaths and injuries that make the news from incidences at such parks.
It is not just huge amusement parks that have increasingly come under liability. The inflatable bouncy castles and houses have also come under scrutiny. In one instance, an inflatable house became detached from the stakes in the ground, throwing out the children inside onto the ground. In some instances, such inflatables can become airborne by the wind. There have also been instances of those houses and castles collapsing under too much weight. In one instance, a house collapsed at a baseball game killing the man inside. A recent study found that there are more injuries from inflatables than from rides on amusement parks.
Trampoline parks have increasingly become popular, and fly by night operations have been popping up around the U.S. However, they have become a new source of liability. In Houston, a teenager sustained serious injuries when the trampoline he was jumping on ripped and he fell through to the concrete below. Common injuries in these parks include concussions, fractures, and neck injuries.
So many recent attractions have easy set up and take down but that is apparently where the liability comes in. Parents are not aware of the safety measures that should be taken when things like inflatables or trampolines are set up. Because these things are mobile, those setting up may cut corners, increasing the likelihood of injuries. Trampoline parks, for instance, may not even be regulated in some states.
There are several legal theories to pursue. One is a products liability suit against the manufacturer of the inflatable or the trampoline with a defect in the design or manufacture of the product. Another option is a negligence suit against the amusement park, or the companies for the inflatables or the trampolines. Such a negligence suit can allege that the company fell below a reasonable standard of care in setting up and maintaining the facilities. It is imperative to seek an attorney immediately if you have been injured.
This article is for general informational purposes only and is not to be construed as legal advice. Do not rely on the above information as all cases are different and different laws apply to different cases. Consult an attorney in your area for further guidance.