6 Most Common Ways People are Injured at Theme Parks

This year a man was struck and killed by a rollercoaster in Ohio.  Earlier this month a jury in Orlando awarded  $310 million to the family of a young man who was killed on an Orlando amusement park ride.  Tragically, this story isn’t all that uncommon.

According to the National Safety Council’s 2022 Update to its North America Fixed-Site Amusement Ride Safety Report:

• In 2022, there were an estimated 1,390 injuries at fixed-site amusement parks in North America.
• 259 of these injuries were classified as serious, requiring hospitalization for over 24 hours. This represents 19% of the total injuries​​.
• The remaining 1,131 injuries were reportable but not classified as serious. This category includes injuries requiring medical treatment beyond basic first aid​​.

Here are six common ways people get injured at theme parks:

1. Guest Behavior

• Loose Items: One of the most frequent causes of injuries involves loose items like cell phones and keys. These items can become projectiles as they fly out of pockets, injuring other guests.

For example,

• A cell phone becomes dislodged from a guest’s pocket on a roller coaster and hits another person in the forehead.
• The man who died in Ohio is believed to have lost his keys on the ride. He reportedly hopped two fences and entered a restricted area to retrieve them when the rollercoaster fatally struck him.

• Falling or Tripping: Guests often trip or fall at amusement parks, which can lead to injuries.

Common causes include:

• Water on Sidewalks: Water from rides or cleaning activities can create slippery surfaces.
• Spills: Food and drink spills are frequent in crowded areas and can cause guests to slip.
• Obstacles: Uneven pavement, loose cables, and other unexpected obstacles can lead to trips and falls.

• Common amusement park injuries from trip-and-fall accidents include chipped teeth, sprained ankles, fractured bones, head injuries, cuts, and abrasions.

2. Operational Errors

• Errors made by ride operators, such as not following proper procedures or handling equipment incorrectly, can lead to injuries. Inadequate staff training and improper supervision also contribute to operational errors.
  • The safety report noted that a guest’s arm was injured due to the motion of a stair lift controlled by an operator.
  • Even something simple like eating a meal at an amusement park is subject to operational errors. One of our clients suffered 1st and 2nd degree burns from a hot coffee spill at Disney World.

3. Technical Issues

• Mechanical failures or structural faults with rides are significant causes of injuries.
  • For example, a log flume boat collision occurred after a structural cable came loose, causing passenger injuries.
• Failure to have proper or appropriate restraints on the equipment.
• Electrical or software malfunctions can also lead to unexpected ride behavior and injuries.
• Even incidents that don’t cause physical injuries can be traumatic. Case in point: This year in Oregon, passengers were traumatized after being stuck upside down for a half hour at a height of 50 feet.

4. Getting In and Out of Rides

• Injuries frequently occur while guests are boarding or disembarking ride vehicles.
  • For example, the safety report noted that a child tripped on a seatbelt while exiting a ride and fell face-first onto the concrete.
• This category accounts for 33% of the injuries reported in 2022.

5. Ride Motion

• The motion of the ride itself, such as sudden stops, sharp turns, or high speeds, can cause injuries. This cause accounts for 67% of the injuries reported in 2022.
  • Guests can suffer from whiplash or other motion-related injuries due to the dynamic nature of rides.
  • High-intensity rides that involve high speeds, rapid changes in direction, or significant G-forces can cause some guests to lose consciousness. This is often due to the intense physical stress these rides place on the body.

Common amusement park injuries due to ride motion  include:

• Whiplash: Rapid acceleration and deceleration can cause neck strain.
• Bruises and Contusions: Sudden movements can cause guests to bump against restraints or ride surfaces.
• Back Injuries: High-speed twists and turns can strain the back muscles and spine.
• Head Injuries: Unexpected jolts can lead to guests hitting their heads on ride components.
• Internal Injuries: The intense forces exerted by some rides can lead to internal injuries, especially in those with pre-existing conditions.
• Joint Dislocations: The stress on joints during sharp turns and drops can cause dislocations.
• Fractures: Sudden impacts or extreme forces can lead to broken bones, particularly in the arms and legs.

6. Heat-Related Injuries

Heat-related injuries are another known issue, especially in places like Florida with high temperatures. Guests can suffer from heat exhaustion or dehydration, which can lead to accidents and injuries.

Amusement parks are supposed to be fun, and for the most part, they are. However, if you’ve been injured at a theme park due to negligence, you have rights and may be entitled to compensation. It’s crucial to seek legal advice to understand your options, whether it’s due to guest behavior, operational errors, technical issues, or other factors.

Leighton Panoff Law has extensive experience handling personal injury cases related to theme parks. Contact us today for a consultation.