It’s summertime and people all over the nation are making trips to amusement parks for fun family outings and trips with their friends. What many people do not realize, however, is the fact that they could be putting their lives in serious danger at these theme parks. With a lack of government regulations over amusement park safety standards, there are many individuals who end up being seriously injured and even killed at these locations. While the government regulates mobile carnival rides, regulation of fixed-site amusement park rides is left to the states, according to recent news stories. The recent death of one theme-park-goer in Texas and the results of a new study provide some insight into the issue of the need for stronger safety regulations over amusement parks.

In late July, a 52-year-old woman who was visiting Six Flags Over Texas in Arlington, Texas died after falling 75 feet from the theme park’s 14-story-high Texas Giant ride. The incident was reported by various news outlets, including CBS DFW and the El Paso Times. Witnesses said the woman, who was on the ride with her children, had communicated that she was concerned that her lap bar was not secure, according to the reporting by CBS. Witnesses also stated on social media that it later appeared that the woman’s safety restraint had either come loose or had broken.

In another follow-up story in the El Paso Times, the news outlet reported that there is no federal oversight when it comes to permanent amusement parks. The publication noted that while incidents is being investigated by experts, the park is not required to provide a report to the state concerning what caused the woman to fall to her death. Currently, the agencies that oversee inspection regulations for amusement park rides and the stringency of these regulations vary state-to-state.

One study recently showed that more than 4,000 children are injured due to amusement park rides each year, according to a CBS Cleveland article. The study was conducted by researchers at the Center for Injury Research and Policy at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. Of the injuries examined in the study, 29% were soft tissue injuries, 21% were strains and sprains, 20% were cuts and 10% were broken bones. Furthermore, 32% of all the injuries were occurred as a result of the children falling from the rides.

There are many things that can cause dangerous amusement park ride accidents. A few examples include a malfunctioning ride, defective safety restraints, and failure by amusement park staff to properly operate the ride or to properly check on ride passengers. After being injured on a ride at an amusement park (or anywhere else on the park grounds), you should immediately consult with one of our Houston personal injury attorneys at Mukerji Law Firm. Contact us for help seeking compensation for your injuries!

*Image courtesy of cbslocal.com