Georgia Amusement Park Accidents

Sadly, Georgia is no stranger to amusement park accidents, especially around holidays like July 4th: A number of people – including children – are injured or killed on these rides every year, and 2023 was no exception. This year,  one of those accidents included a five-year-old boy who “flew” 15 to 20 feet out of the ”Twist-N-Shout” water slide at Lake Winnepesaukah amusement park, and was injured as a result. That same week, another child was strangled by a zip line at Georgia adventure park Urban Air Adventure in Newnan where, reportedly, no employees came to help them during or after the incident.

This type of accident is not unique: In that same week, a number of roller coaster riders got stuck after rides stalled at Georgia theme parks, causing even the most experienced riders quite a scare. When this happens, the rides go forward along the track, then backwards, before stopping, and places all riders experiencing it in danger of falling out. This sent riders into panic attacks – hurting and crying – and in need of medical care.

Local Government Responsibility

The Georgia Office of Commissioner of Insurance and Safety Fire is called in to investigate incidents like these, and will typically release a final report a few days after conducting their investigation. State inspectors typically look at the ride itself, its rider tubes, foundation, and signage when they conduct inspections, and their reports can prove critical in bringing litigation against the manufacturer of the ride and/or amusement park.

Patterns & Litigation

Sometimes you notice a pattern with a chain of amusement parks owned by the same company around the country: For example, last year, a three-year-old child was also strangled by the same zip line at the Urban Air Adventure Park in Illinois. When this happens, there is a strong argument that there is a pattern of negligence exhibited by a company and a failure to properly ensure their rides are safe for the public.

Every year, there are a number of lawsuits brought against amusement parks here in Georgia in connection with those who have been killed or injured on the premises of these parks due to negligence; negligence in connection with a product (such as a ride) manufacturer and/or negligence committed by those who own and/or work at the park and who are responsible for maintaining the rides.

If You’ve Been Harmed, Contact Our Macon, Georgia Injury & Wrongful Death Attorneys

If you or a loved one has been injured or killed in any way in an accident here in Georgia – and that includes an accident that may not have included physical injuries, per se, but emotional and mental damage – we are here to help: the Macon personal injury lawyers at the Law Offices of Buzzell, Welsh & Hill help clients recover from all types of accidents, including those that occur at amusement parks. Contact us today to find out more.

Sources:

nypost.com/2023/07/07/georgia-amusement-park-guests-watch-in-horror-as-boy-5-flies-out-of-water-slide/

nbc15.com/2023/07/06/roller-coaster-riders-stuck-after-ride-stalls-ga-theme-park/

insidethemagic.net/2023/07/child-strangled-zip-line-sky-rider-urban-air-adventure-park-newnan-atlanta-georgia-jh1/