Amusement Park Accidents

Every year, many people are injured at amusement parks and carnivals throughout the United States. According to a Consumer Product Safety Commission Study, there have been 30 ride related fatalities at stationary amusement parks and an additional 8 deaths which have occurred at mobile carnivals from 1987 to 1999. Another 11 fatalities occurred on amusement park rides but it is unknown if these were on stationary or mobile rides. These statistics do not include workers who were killed by amusement rides.

Many amusement park rides are designed to imitate danger, it is part of the thrill of the ride. However, on occasion, people can sustain serious injuries during an amusement park ride, such as the 13 year old girl who was riding the “Superman Tower of Power” free-fall ride at the Six Flags Amusement Park in Kentucky when a cable suddenly ripped across the girl’s shins and severed both of her feet.

Connecticut is home to Lake Compounce Amusement Park in Bristol, Connecticut and Quassy Amusement Park in Middlebury, Connecticut, which are the two largest amusement parks in the state. Unfortunately, there have been several injuries and deaths which have occurred at these parks over the last several years. In 1994, a six year old boy died from head injuries after another child at Quassy Amusement Park pushed a button that started a ride, which hit the boy and dragged him around the track. In August, 1999, an employee at Lake Compounce jumped aboard the Tornado ride as it was moving and was dragged under the ride and crushed. He died from his injuries the following day. In July, 2001, a five year old boy drowned in the lake at Lake Compounce after he had been on an inner-tube slide that entered into a 10-12 deep section of the lake. In June, 2001, an employee at Lake Compounce was struck and killed by the Boulder Dash roller coaster while trimming weeds during a test run of the ride. In May, 2004, a five year old boy was struck and killed by a tree limb that fell 50 feet from a dead tree while walking with his mother at Lake Compounce. In July, 2004, a 19 year old man drowned while swimming in the lake at Quassy Amusement Park.

Attorney Foley has been involved in several lawsuits against amusement parks including a recent claim against Lake Compounce where a woman sustained serious injuries to her neck, back and leg while riding down a water slide at the park. Injuries at amusement parks do occur from time to time. If you have been a victim of an injury occurring at an amusement park Attorney Foley can help you.

If you would like more information about how to proceed with a lawsuit against an amusement park, please fill out the consultation form or call us at (203) 250-7212. We will be able to consider your particular situation and help you decide whether to file a lawsuit against the amusement park.