Visiting amusement parks are a fun and thrilling way to spend time with friends and family, but they can also be dangerous if proper safety protocols are not followed. In 2017 alone, there were 1,171 ride-related injuries. Amusement parks have a legal responsibility to keep visitors safe from potential hazards. This can include maintaining rides, providing adequate training, and providing a proper warning for potential dangers. If you have been harmed in an amusement park accident in Missouri, speak with a personal injury lawyer to assess your claim.
Liability for amusement park accidents can vary depending on the unique circumstances of your claim. The lawyers at Goza & Honnold can investigate your accident and obtain valuable evidence to determine whether one or more parties are responsible for causing your injuries. Generally, responsible parties may include amusement park operators, ride manufacturers, maintenance companies, or other third parties.
Liability in a Missouri Amusement Park Accident
If you were injured in an amusement park accident in Missouri, there may be one or more parties responsible for damages. Generally, liability can fall on the following parties depending on the circumstances of your case:
1. Amusement Park Operators
Amusement park operators must take reasonable steps to ensure the safety of their guests. This includes properly maintaining and inspecting rides, providing adequate warnings of potential risks, and training employees to operate the rides safely. If the amusement park operator fails to take these precautions and an accident occurs, they may be liable for subsequent injuries and losses.
2. Ride Manufacturers and Maintenance Companies
In some cases, the manufacturer of the ride or a maintenance company can be liable for an amusement park accident. If an accident was caused by a defect in the ride or maintenance malfunction, an amusement park accident lawyer can seek to hold them accountable for the damages you suffered.
3. Third Parties
In rare cases, other guests or third parties may be liable for any intentional acts or negligence that result in an amusement park accident. For example, if a guest throws an object from a ride and it strikes another guest, the guest may be liable for resulting injuries.
Recoverable Compensation in a Missouri Amusement Park Accident
The lawyers at Goza & Honnold can evaluate your losses to determine whether you have a claim, and if so, the potential value of your claim. If your case is successful, you may recover economic and non-economic damages depending on the unique circumstances of the accident and the extent of your injuries, which may include, among others, the following:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of earning capacity
- Disability or impairment
- Scarring
- Disfigurement
- Punitive damages
- Wrongful death (in cases where a victim suffers fatal injuries)
Missouri recognizes comparative negligence, which means that if a victim is found to have contributed to the accident, any damages awarded may be reduced according to the percentage of fault assessed to the victim. This is why it is imperative to work with a knowledgeable legal team that can protect your legal rights and pursue compensation on your behalf.
Speak With the Amusement Park Accident Lawyers at Goza & Honnold
If you have suffered amusement park accident injuries, the Missouri lawyers at Goza & Honnold can help you understand your legal rights and options. With our decades of experience, we can help you determine who may be liable for damages by conducting an investigation and obtaining the necessary evidence to build a strong case.
Set up a no-cost consultation with one of our amusement park accident lawyers by calling our office at (913) 451-3433 or filling out a contact form today.