What Types of Safety Regulations Do Amusement Parks Have to Follow?

Many people enjoy visiting amusement parks to ride the attractions, enjoy the food, and take advantage of the summer months. When you go to an amusement park, sustaining an injury may be the last thing on your mind. However, it is possible for a negligent amusement park to have an unsafe environment that causes your injuries. If you’re seeking your legal options, a premises liability lawyer from McMath Woods, P.A. can help you with your claim.

When you’re filing a claim, our lawyers will begin to investigate your case and see how the amusement park acted negligently. It’s possible the park didn’t meet certain standards to keep the environment safe. Let’s take a look at the standards that amusement parks should meet.

Amusement Park Statistics and Standards

The International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions reported in 2017 that there were an estimated 1,171 ride-related injuries based on attendance. An estimated 1,035 people were injured based on ridership. While both these numbers are lower than 2016, there are still injuries that occur at amusement parks.

The regulations and standards for amusement parks should adhere to state and local government codes and requirements. Parks should undergo regular safety inspections from insurance companies to make sure all the rides and attractions are safe.

Amusement parks can also look to the ASTM International F-24 Committee standards. ASTM International is a large, independent entity that creates standards for numerous industries, including the amusement park industry. This committee also provides standards on ride design, manufacturing, operation, maintenance, and more. Because these standards are frequently reviewed, they’re updated to keep up with recent technology.

One would think to maintain safety, amusement parks need to meet certain standards and regulations, but this isn’t the case everywhere in the U.S. Currently, there are 44 states that regulate amusement parks. The six states that do not do this are Alabama, Mississippi, Montana, Nevada, Wyoming, and Utah.

Safety Tips for When You’re at an Amusement Park

If you are visiting an amusement park, the IAAPA provides certain tips you can follow so you can stay as safe as possible.

• Obey ride restrictions such as height, weight, and health.
• Read posted signs for rules and listen to rules when a ride operator is instructing you.
• When you’re on a ride, keep your arms, legs, and feet inside at all times.
• Make sure your loose items are secured. This includes items like keys, glasses, and wallets.
• If you are inebriated, do not board a ride.
• Wait until the ride stops and you’re given directions to exit the ride.
• If the ride uses safety equipment or restraints, don’t try to loosen them or otherwise get out of them.
• Parents need to keep an eye on their children and make sure they’re behaving appropriately.
• Children should not be forced to go on a ride.
• If you see any unsafe behaviors or conditions, tell a supervisor or manager as quickly as possible.

These are the best ways to keep yourself and others safe at an amusement park. But what happens when the amusement park doesn’t follow safety instructions? Amusement park accidents can cause devastating injuries and fatalities. If you were following the rules and were still hurt, you may have grounds for a premises liability claim.

Have You Been Injured at an Amusement Park?

Amusement park injuries can severely impact your life. You may have painful injuries that require considerable medical care and will take a long time to heal. While you’re figuring out how long your recovery is going to take, you may also be prevented from going to work during that time. This can put you in a financially difficult situation. You still need ways to keep up with bills and groceries in addition to your medical expenses. If others depend on you to provide, you may not know what to do. That’s where McMath Woods, P.A. comes in.

We’ll stand up for you and fight for you to recover full and fair compensation for your injuries. Going up against an amusement park can be intimidating, but our lawyers are ready to help. When amusement parks are negligent, they should be held accountable for their actions. You deserve to get justice for what happened to you. With fair compensation, you’ll have the financial security to move confidently into the future.

To get started on your case, give our office a call today. We’ll discuss your legal options and find the best way to protect your best interests.