While amusement parks are a source of entertainment for families and friends, they can also present hazardous conditions that lead to accidents. When amusement park accidents are caused by negligence, an injured person can pursue a legal claim to recover damages for their out-of-pocket expenses and suffering with help from a hard-working premises liability attorney.
If you or a loved one experienced an injury while attending a theme park, you should speak with a Philadelphia amusement park accident lawyer at Marrone Law Firm LLC as soon as possible.
Amusement park accidents are often catastrophic and can cause death in some cases. An experienced Philadelphia amusement park attorney can help assess whether negligence caused the accident. Some causes of injuries at amusement parks include:
Certain conditions at amusement parks with specific themes can also increase the chance of an injury or death. For example, water parks can increase the chances of someone drowning. If the amusement park serves food, this raises the chance of a food poisoning incident.
When a Philadelphia amusement park accident lawyer helps an injured person file a lawsuit, the available legal claims will depend on the specific facts of the incident. The most common legal theory for liability in amusement park accidents is a claim for negligence.
To establish a negligence claim under state law, the injured person must prove the responsible party breached a duty of care and caused the plaintiff’s injuries. For amusement park accident lawsuits, an attorney will often pursue a negligence claim based on a theory of premises liability. Property owners must keep their premises safe for invited or expected guests or patrons.
In addition to providing safe conditions on the premises, a property owner must warn guests about known hazards or dangers. For example, if an amusement park failed to warn guests about an area with slippery surfaces, a court may find the park owner was negligent.
An amusement park owner can also be liable when they fail to adhere to safety or maintenance protocols and create dangerous conditions on the premises. If a ride malfunctions due to inadequate inspections or maintenance, a court can potentially find the property owner negligent.
Amusement parks cannot avoid liability by blaming their employees’ negligence. 77 Pa. C.S. § 51 says employers are liable for the negligence of their employees while acting within the scope of their employment. For example, a court can hold an amusement park employer liable if an employee ride operator engaged in negligent behavior that put guests at risk of injury.
The financial burden of a catastrophic injury can take an emotional toll on families. Consulting with a Philadelphia amusement park accident attorney can help injured people understand the available compensation.
When injured by negligence, people can recover both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages cover measurable losses such as medical bills, lost wages from missed work time, and lost future earning opportunities. Non-economic damages can compensate someone for emotional suffering, permanent disabilities, mental anguish, and lost companionship with a spouse or domestic partner.
In addition to these compensatory damages, injured people can also seek punitive damages in certain situations where a defendant was grossly or willfully negligent.
When you are injured, a Philadelphia amusement park accident lawyer could handle legal matters so you can focus on healing. They could investigate the cause of your injury and collect the most relevant evidence to help win your lawsuit.
Contact the Marrone Law Firm LLC today to schedule a confidential consultation.