According to The OC Register, in 2009 and 2010, there were 284 incidents in 2010 resulting medical problems at seven Orange County, California amusement parks that required investigation by the state. Under California law, venues and theme parks with permanent rides are supposed to turn in reports to the state every time a patron gets medical help beyond first aid for incidents that occurred on amusement park rides.
The seven locales where state investigations took place were Disneyland, Knott's Berry Farm, Disney California Adventure, Knott's Soak City, Wild Rivers Waterpark, Adventure City, and Westfield MainPlace mall. Approximately half of the 284 incidents reported involved medical issues affecting the head area, torso, neck, back, face, or spine. Fortunately, most of the injuries were not "serious," which means that they were primarily amusement park injuries not requiring hospital stays lasting more than 24 hours.
Also, per The OC Register's review:
- Out of the 76 rides instigated, 10 of the rides experienced at least 10 medical issues resulting in state investigations.
- Ride adjustments, employee training, and other changes were ordered by the state in 33 cases.
- 168 of the state investigations took place at the two Disneyland Parks.
- 89 investigations occurred at Knott's Berry Farm.
Our Anaheim amusement park ride attorneys represent clients throughout Orange County, California. We are conveniently located near many of the theme parks in the county and we are familiar with the injuries that can result.
According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, about 8,800 people got hurt in US amusement park accidents in 2006. This figure includes only those with injuries serious enough to warrant emergency room care. It also doesn't include the 3,600 patrons who got hurt on inflatable amusement park rides and the other 3,100 who were injured on public water slides. About half of the people who got hurt were kids.
Common causes of amusement park injuries:
• Improper ride operation
• Mechanical failure
• Rider misuse or not following instructions
• The way the ride is designed makes injuries more likely
State probes 284 O.C. theme-park medical problems, OC Register, June 10, 2011
O.C. theme park ride safety report
Related Web Resources:
CPSC
Amusement Park Accidents, NOLO
More Blog Posts:
Buena Park Police Brutality Alleged in 2009 Incident Involving Man Arrested at Knott's Berry Farm Amusement Park, California Injury Lawyers Blog, February 17, 2011
Buena Park Roller Coaster Accident at Knott's Berry Farm Injures 10 People, California Injury Lawyers Blog, October 8, 2010
Anaheim Fall Accident Injures Man Waiting in Line At Disney's California Adventure Park, California Injury Lawyers Blog, August 30, 2010
Contact our Anaheim personal injury lawyers today.
