Amusement park season is in full swing here in South Carolina, with plenty for the young (and young at heart) to do for fun. Myrtle Waves Water Park is the largest water park in the state for those trying to beat the heat. Family Kingdom offers rides for the family at Myrtle Beach and Carowinds is a giant (398-acre) amusement park straddling North and South Carolina. Unfortunately for vacationing families and thrill-seekers, amusement parks can provide more than entertainment when an accident or malfunction results in serious injury or wrongful death. Victims of such incidents need accurate information about filing an amusement park accident lawsuit.
The Jeffcoat Firm in Lexington, SC can provide that information for anyone unfortunate enough to be involved in such an accident. We represent clients throughout the Lexington and Richland County area who need strong legal representation in order to make their cases in court or to negotiate settlements with liable parties. Although we hope that local residents are able to enjoy their summers in our state’s theme parks, there are cases when safety is compromised in these settings and victims may be eligible to pursue a personal injury lawsuit in South Carolina.
South Carolina amusement park accident lawsuit
In April of 2015 alone, the Carowinds theme park reported six different incidences involving ride malfunctions or injuries. In three cases, rides (the Fury 325, the Windseeker, and the Flying Ace Aerial Chase) stranded passengers mid-ride or became stuck for significant periods of time. Officials from the park say that the rides stalls because sensors detected a glitch and no passengers were hurt. In a fourth incident, an employee accidentally hit the emergency stop button on the Windseeker. There were also no injuries reported as a result of this event. However, on April 6, a 2-year-old girl suffered an elbow injury after she fell off a plane on the Red Baron ride after she slipped out of a safety restraint. And another patron was injured three days later when an attendant closed a lap bar on her hand, also resulting in injury.
Filing a lawsuit involving an amusement park accident requires expert legal representation. It’s important to remember that a complaint cannot be filed because of ride malfunctions in which no actual injuries occur. However, if employee incompetence, negligence on the part of the park, or a malfunction with one of the rides resulting from faulty product manufacture or design leads directly to serious harm, a personal injury attorney should be able to help victims file a successful case against the liable parties in order to obtain compensation.
The Jeffcoat Firm will seek maximum damages available under the law should amusement park staff fail to do the following:
- Post visible signs about risks
- Provide accurate instructions to patrons
- Train employees adequately
- Check or maintain the safety or functioning of a ride
- Operate the ride correctly
Additionally, the company that made the amusement park ride could be held liable if an injury occurred due to design or manufacturing defects.
Personal injury lawyer serving Richland & Lexington counties
In the immediate aftermath of an accident, you may not be sure exactly where to pin blame and you shouldn’t have to do so. Rather, we urge you to contact The Jeffcoat Firm, a highly respected South Carolina personal injury law firm that will conduct a thorough investigation into the details surrounding your accident.
If you suffered harm at an amusement park, please call us at [phone](803) 200-2000[/phone] to set up a complimentary review of your case.
