Brentwood Amusement Park Accident Attorneys
While amusement parks and water parks are generally safe, the reality is that accidents can and do happen. Defective ride design, negligent maintenance, and poor judgment can all lead to serious or, in the worst cases, fatal accidents. The amusement park accident lawyers at Biren Law Group have successfully represented victims of amusement park accidents in the past, and we know the experts who can help us establish liability.
Just a few of these cases include:
- Williams v. Doe Water Park: After a young girl drowned in a sandy bottom wave pool at a water park, her family was able to recover $1.5 million in damages.
- Jane Doe v. Roe Company: A young girl was paid a $2.5 million settlement for the brain damage she suffered after falling from a defective swing ride.
If you or a loved one was injured at an amusement park or water park, please contact Biren Law Group to speak with us about your case. Call (310) 774-0078 today.
Common Accident Scenarios at Amusement Parks in Southern California
Southern California’s iconic amusement parks, like Disneyland, Universal Studios Hollywood, Knott’s Berry Farm, SeaWorld San Diego, Legoland California, and Six Flags Magic Mountain, offer thrilling experiences. However, accidents can happen.
Here are some specific examples:
- Ride Malfunctions: Imagine a roller coaster experiencing a sudden stop or a restraint failure. These high-speed rides demand rigorous maintenance, and any lapse can result in serious injuries.
- Slip and Falls: With the high volume of foot traffic at amusement parks, spills and uneven surfaces can lead to dangerous slips and falls. Particularly in crowded areas or near water attractions.
- Swimming Pool Accidents: At water-themed parks, ensuring proper lifeguard supervision and safe pool conditions is crucial. Drowning or near-drowning incidents can occur due to negligence.
- Food Poisoning: With countless food vendors across all Southern California parks, food safety is paramount. Contaminated food can lead to severe illness, disrupting your vacation and causing significant health issues.
- Inadequate Staffing and Training: During peak seasons at amusement parks, ensuring adequate staffing and proper training for ride operators is essential to prevent accidents caused by human error.
- Lack of Proper Safety Signage: Whether it’s height restrictions or warnings about water depths, clear and visible safety signage is vital. Inadequate signage can leave visitors vulnerable to preventable injuries.
Navigating the Legal Process After an Amusement Park Injury
If you’ve been injured at a Southern California amusement park, whether it’s Disneyland, Universal Studios, or any other, navigating the legal process can be daunting. We understand the unique challenges of these cases and are here to guide you.
- Immediate Actions: After an accident at any park, seek medical attention immediately. Report the incident to park management and obtain a copy of the incident report. Gather evidence, including photos, videos, and witness contact information.
- Documenting Your Injuries: Keep meticulous records of all medical treatments, expenses, and lost wages.
- The Investigation: We will conduct a thorough investigation, including reviewing park maintenance records specific to the park where the incident occurred, and interviewing witnesses who were at the specific location.
- Negotiation with Insurance: We’ll handle all communication with the park’s insurance company, which can be complex with large corporations like those managing Disneyland or Universal Studios.
- Filing a Lawsuit: If a fair settlement cannot be reached, we will file a lawsuit in the appropriate Southern California court.
- Discovery: This is a phase where both sides exchange evidence, and take depositions. This is a very important part of building your case, and properly preparing for a court case.
- Going to Trial: If necessary, we will represent you in court, presenting your case to a judge and jury.
Potential Damages Our Amusement Park Injury Lawyers Can Help Recover
After an amusement park accident, you may be entitled to compensation for various losses. These damages can help you recover financially and emotionally, considering the high cost of living and medical care in our region.
Potential damages our amusement park accident attorneys can help recover may include:
- Medical Expenses: This includes past and future medical bills, such as hospital stays, surgeries, physical therapy, and medication.
- Lost Wages: You can recover lost income from time missed at work, considering the competitive job market in Southern California, as well as compensation for any future loss of earning capacity.
- Pain and Suffering: This compensates you for the physical and emotional pain you’ve endured, recognizing the impact of trauma.
- Emotional Distress: Trauma from an accident can lead to anxiety, depression, and other emotional issues.
- Loss of Enjoyment of Life: If your injuries prevent you from enjoying Southern California’s many attractions and activities, you may be entitled to compensation.
- Punitive Damages: In cases of extreme negligence, you may be able to recover punitive damages, which are intended to punish the park and deter future misconduct.
Understanding Amusement Park Liability: How Our Amusement Park Accident Lawyers Can Help
Amusement parks have a legal responsibility to ensure the safety of their guests.
Here’s a look at the key aspects of their liability and the regulations they must follow in our state:
- Duty of Care: Amusement parks owe a “duty of care” to their visitors, meaning they must take reasonable steps to prevent foreseeable harm, considering the high volume of visitors.
- California State Regulations: Amusement parks in California are subject to specific state regulations, including safety standards for rides, inspections, and maintenance, that can be more stringent than federal guidelines.
- Equipment Maintenance: Parks must regularly inspect and maintain their rides and equipment, considering the wear and tear from constant use in our sunny climate.
- Staff Training: Employees must be properly trained to operate rides, respond to emergencies, and ensure guest safety, especially given the diverse populations that visit Southern California parks.
- Inspections: Amusement parks are subject to inspections by California regulatory agencies to ensure compliance with safety standards.
- Required Insurance: Amusement parks are required to carry insurance to cover potential accidents and injuries, and these insurance policies are what any potential settlement would be paid from.
Our Approach to Amusement Park Accident Cases
Over the last three decades, our firm has developed a wide breadth of techniques that are designed to maximize your financial recovery—some of which include:
- Liability Disputes: In the past, our legal team has been able to prove liability in extremely complicated amusement park cases. We accomplished this through diligent investigation, the use of the best experts and, when appropriate, high-tech tools like computer modeling. We can put these tools to work for you.
- Maximizing Damages: Unfortunately, it isn’t enough to establish liability. The outcome of your case will also depend on proving the full extent of your damages. In order to do so, we may call on the help of various experts—which may include a medical expert who can effectively communicate their findings to a jury.
- Team Approach: Our firm is unique in that every case we accept is handled by our founding attorney, Matthew Biren, from start to finish. We also approach every case as a team, which is much different than how most firms work. This can benefit the client significantly since they will get input from many people.
Our Amusement Park Injury Lawyers Are Ready To Help: Schedule Your Free Consultation Today
If you have suffered a serious personal injury or a substantial financial loss, you should contact our Brentwood amusement park injury attorneys to schedule a free initial consultation and review your case. Your initial consultation is free. Your recovery could begin today.
Call (310) 774-0078 today to get started.
