Rides that combine different feelings and sensations are often more thrilling to ride. For instance, rollercoasters are fun because of the sensation of going up and down, the speed, and the thrill of sudden twists and turns. Rides that both spin and swing are equally enjoyable, because you feel so many different forces during the ride. However, one thing you should never have to experience on one of these rides is a serious injury.
Because of the many moving parts and systems in these swinging and spinning rides, the rides could easily malfunction or collapse if they are improperly maintained. Even if the ride works properly, improperly securing guests can lead to serious injuries or even death. If you were injured on a spinning and swinging ride at an amusement park, festival, or fair, talk to an attorney today about filing a personal injury lawsuit. The amusement park injury lawyers at Reiff Law Firm may be able to help you get compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Spinning Pendulum Rides at Fairs and Carnivals
Many of the rides in this category consist of a pendulum with a spinning seating area. Riders are strapped into a round seating area – either facing each other or facing away from the center. The seating area begins to spin as the arm that holds it swings side to side. Riders may enjoy these rides, but there are serious risks involved if the ride is improperly operated, constructed, or maintained.
Many rides rely on the operators to ensure ride safety. However, many ride operators are undertrained young people with summer jobs as ride attendants. They may not be aware of regulations or safety protocols put in place to ensure safe operation. They may be unwilling or unable to enforce limitations like height and weight restrictions. They may also be improperly trained in securing seatbelts or safety bars, and might not be able to tell when they are improperly secured. In the worst cases, riders may be thrown or slip out of the seatbelts and safety bars on a ride if the operators fail to properly secure them.
Improper ride construction can cause serious problems for riders. Some rides are one-of-a-kind creations for an amusement park, but others are produced and sold to ride companies across the country for festivals, state fairs, and other carnivals. These rides are often made to be taken down and transported by truck or train, then re-assembled at the new site. If the manufacturer did not take the proper care in creating the ride, it could have serious safety flaws or may not hold up to the test of time. Similarly, the company that transports and assembles the ride could also be responsible for serious errors in setup. Improperly assembling the ride can lead to catastrophic failures and collapses after repeated use.
Maintenance is incredibly important on rides. Taking care to ensure that rides are in proper working order and good condition is vital to ensuring safety throughout the ride’s lifespan. Rusted or corroded beams and supports can weaken the structural integrity of rides, and improper storage or use can increase these risks. Rides that function year-round need to be checked and maintained periodically to ensure safety.
Suing for Swinging and Spinning Rides at Fairs for Injuries
There are plenty of ways that the park, fair, ride manufacturer, ride operators, or ride company might be held accountable for your injuries in court. In order to take a party to court, you must prove that their actions or inactions somehow caused your injuries. More specifically, you must prove four elements to win your case:
- The party owed you a duty;
- The party breached their duty:
- The breach caused your injuries; and
- Your injuries include damages that a court can compensate, like medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
For example, the ride operator might have a duty to safely secure you into the ride, but if they were too busy talking to other patrons, they may have neglected that duty. If you fell out of the ride and suffered injury, you could potentially sue for compensation.
When you sue a company like this, you can often receive substantial compensation for serious injuries. You may be entitled to have your medical bills paid, lost wages reimbursed if you had to miss work, and may be compensated directly for your pain and suffering. Medical expenses can cover any medical bills that stem from the injury. Damages for lost wages may cover past wages if you missed work, and future wages if you are unable to return to work. Lastly, pain and suffering damages compensate you directly for your experience of pain, discomfort, and mental suffering. These damages may be limited or “capped” in your state, so talk to an attorney about what you might be entitled to.
Lawyer for Swinging and Spinning Ride Injuries at Fairs
The amusement park injury attorneys at Reiff Law Firm represent injured amusement park and fairgoers across the country. We may be able to take your injury case to court and help you get the compensation you need to pay your medical bills or keep your family going while you are unable to work. If you lost a loved one in a ride accident, you may also be entitled to substantial compensation. Call (215) 709-6940 today to schedule a free consultation with our experienced amusement park injury attorneys.
