Many times when we attend a major theme park or amusement park we think that we are protected from injury. We think about the multi-million or multi-billion dollar corporation that owns and controls the park and we may assume that the organization is “too big to fail”. However injury can occur at any place and at any time. If you have suffered an injury due to a mistake or for other reasons, the experienced amusement park injury attorneys of The Reiff Law Firm can work to obtain compensation for your injuries.
What Types of Accidents Have Occurred at Hershey Park in Recent Years?
Accident reports for the 2009 And 2010 seasons have been made available. These reports reveal:
- Over 2 years there were 137 serious injuries at the park.
- Injuries included lacerations, chipped teeth, neck pain, back pain, electrical burns, fractured bones, ankle sprains, traumatic brain injuries, and more.
- Accidents occurred during all phases of a ride: boarding, while riding, and exiting.
- Slip and falls, trip and falls and other variations made up a large percentage of the injuries.
- Accidents were not limited to thrill rides. Accidents certainly did occur on rollercoasters but also were reported on Giant Rain Forest ride, the Sidewinder, the Pony carts, the Skyride, the Flowrider, the Hydroflume, Bizzy Bees and more.
What these statistics make clear is that while death is rare, many injuries do occur at Pennsylvania’s largest amusement park. Furthermore, these statistics show that risk is not limited to the major thrill-rides. Injuries can occur anywhere in the park where people are permitted.
Why do Accidents Occur at Hershey Park?
The reasons for an accident at a theme park are limited only by the circumstances present at the park. While most people would assume that the high-speeds and thrill-seeking behavior are the main reasons for injury, they probably be wrong. High-profile accidents involving thrill-rides certainly do capture most of the media attention, but many other reasons for injury also exist including:
- Design defect – While understanding of the forces involved in thrill rides has improved over the years, mistakes in design can still occur. These mistakes can range from an unsafe loading or unloading design to exposing riders to excessive G-forces.
- Mechanical failure – Failure to perform routine maintenance on the ride or exposure to harsh weather conditions can increase the likelihood of mechanical failures.
- Adverse weather conditions – High winds, torrential rains, electrical storms, flash floods, tornados and more can quickly transform a relaxing summer day into a crisis situation
- Error by ride operator – Hot weather, long hours, and low pay can make a distracted ride operator more likely. The operator can fail to wait for a safety check or fail to notice a hazard in the path of the ride.
- Insufficient safety devices – Safety devices should be commensurate with the risks that the ride presents. While for a basic roller coaster a lap bar may be sufficient, a larger cutting-edge coaster may also need a seatbelt or a safety harness to protect the rider sufficiently.
- Negligence – Even at large parks, simple routine maintained can slip through the cracks. People can become injured at parks if they slip and fall on a puddle, debris, or a poorly maintained walkway.
The reasons that cause or contribute to accidents and injuries at theme parks are extremely diverse. If you have been seriously injured, the personal injury attorneys of The Reiff Law Firm may be able to obtain compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and other costs. For your free and confidential legal consultation, call us at (215) 709-6940 or contact us online.
