Theme parks have been a popular destination for thrill seekers for many years but as rollercoasters get longer, faster and taller, the dangers also start to grow. On some of the rides there are signs informing of the dangers and suggest that some people, for example pregnant woman, do not participate. On other rides, there are hidden dangers. The theme park has a duty towards those participating in the rides to make sure that they are as safe as possible.
Some common types of injuries at theme park:
- Injuries sustained as a result of the ride itself, e.g. a ride which falls heavily could damage your back or break bones
- Whiplash, most commonly associated with road traffic accidents, is common on fast rides. If warning signs are placed informing you to keep your head back this should be adhered to
- Falling items from the rides can cause injuries
- Defective places or parts on the rides e.g. rides such as haunted houses which you walk around in
- Defective paths or walkways between rides causing you to trip or slip
What duty do theme parks owe?
Theme parks owe a duty to all of their visitors to ensure that they are safe when in the park. This includes walking around, participating in the rides and eating or drinking at the premises.
What should I do?
It is important to obtain as much evidence as possible to prove the theme park was negligent. This can be done by proving that no warning signs are in place to warn you of the danger. Reporting the accident means that they have a record when you make a claim and asking for witnesses.
Example: In July 2013 the Smiler ride at Alton Towers was closed and forty-eight people had to be rescued when wheels fell off of the structure. Fortunately, no-one was badly injured. If someone had been underneath and part of the structure hit their arm and broke it, Alton Towers could be found negligent for the accident causing the injury. As such, the person is likely to obtain a good amount of compensation because Alton Towers owed a duty, they broke the duty and their negligence caused the accident as they did not undertake sufficient or proper health and safety checks (source).
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