Water Park Injuries
From the thrills of the water slide to the relaxation of a wade pool, water parks host thousands of visitors each and every day. But as parents pack up the kids, they should consider the potential dangers inside these parks and know what options exist when injuries do occur.
Earlier this month, the Miami Herald reported about the near drowning of an 8-year-old boy at an area water park. The child was reportedly visiting the park along with a summer camp group. While playing in an inflatable water playground, the child reportedly experienced distress when trying to swim from one inflatable object to the next. A lifeguard spotted him and pulled the boy from the water. After receiving CPR, he was taken to an area hospital by paramedics. Immediately following the incident, park management made an official statement, asserting that all proper safety measures were followed by staff members and lifeguards.
Water Park Injury Facts
There are numerous possible causes for water park accidents. In the situation involving the 8-year-old boy, park management claims that the child’s life vest was removed prior to his incident, which may hint at a possible lack of supervision. This is often the case with accidents inside of wave pools, which are usually crowded, making it difficult for adequate supervision to occur if there are not enough lifeguards on duty.
According to Livestrong, 86% of water park injuries occur on or around a water slide. These injuries may include:
- Slip and falls on the steps up to the slide;
- Collisions between numerous riders, especially when a larger rider is allowed to ride in close proximity to a smaller rider;
- Swimmer becoming trapped inside a slide tube;
- Water inhalation or choking; or
- Head injuries or lacerations from hitting the sides of the slide.
Park owners and staff members have a responsibility to maintain the safety of the park attractions. They should also monitor the upkeep of the rides, checking for potentially dangerous situations. There is an additional responsibility to monitor patrons and ensure that they are acting in a safe manner. For water slides in particular, employees generally stand at the entrance to the slide and decide when to let the next visitor enter. In performing this task, they must ensure that there is enough time elapsing between each rider in order to avoid injury. When employees fail to carry out these responsibilities adequately, visitors can get hurt, with injuries that often include:
- Broken bones;
- Bruising;
- Lacerations;
- Spinal injuries; and/or
- Brain injuries.
When injuries do occur, families may choose to pursue legal compensation. The courts may find any number of parties liable for injuries, from the park owners to the designers of the water ride, so these cases can prove challenging without the assistance of a capable attorney.
If you or a loved one was injured at a water park, call the personal injury attorneys at Gary Roberts & Associates, P.A. Assisting the West Palm Beach area, our attorneys are here to help you secure the compensation you deserve. Contact us today for a free and confidential consultation of your case.
