California Injury Lawyers Blog

According to a Cal/OSHA investigation, the 2009 Orange County, California roller coaster accident at Knott's Berry Farm that hurt two people was preventable. Citing improper maintenance, the investigation places the blame on Intamin AG, the Xcelerator's manufacturer, and the amusement park.

The incident occurred on September 16, 2009. An on-board video camera of the Buena Park accident shows the cable snapping loose while debris sprays the riders. The cable cut a 12-year-old boy on the leg while an adult male sustained back injuries.

Cal/OSHA said that Intamin AG's ride maintenance instructions were "confusing" and not clear on whether the roller coaster cable needed to be checked every six months or once a month. While the manufacturer intended that the examination should take place once a month, the amusement park was checking it twice a year. The state blames Knott's for being more than two weeks overdue on its six-month cable inspection when the Buena Park roller coater accident happened.

The Xcelerator, which was shut down after the Orange County, California amusement park accident happened, reopened last week. Per the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health's requirements, Knott's has added additional safeguards to the hydraulic launch accelerator coaster. Knott's and Intamin will work together to modify the maintenance instructions.

This is not the first time Intamin and Knott's have been involved in roller coaster accidents. In 2004, metal debris from a launch cable also struck passengers on the Top Thrill Dragster at Cedar Point in Ohio, Knott's sister park. Intamin was also the manufacturer of that roller coaster. In 2001, a woman died at the amusement park after falling from Perilous Plunge water ride, which was also made by Intamin.

Amusement Park Accidents
Unfortunately, amusement park rides can deliver more than just fast thrills and laughter. In the event that a ride malfunctions, injuries can result, ranging from bloody noses to bank injuries, broken bones, severed limbs, spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and even death.

The competition to build and run the highest and fastest rides should not compromise rider safety. You may have grounds for filing a California products liability case against a negligent ride manufacturer and/or an amusement accident lawsuit against the thrill park.

Knott's Berry Farm, manufacturer faulted in roller coaster accident that injured two, Los Angeles Times, April 28, 2010

Accidents Involving Injury at Perilous Plunge, Theme Park Insider

Related Web Resources:

Knott's Berry Farm

RideAccidents.com

Continue reading "2009 Knott's Berry Farm Roller Coaster Accident Caused by Improper Maintenance, Say California Investigators " »

Continue reading "Anaheim Personal Injury Lawyers: Disney Settles California Amusement Park Lawsuit with Woman Critically Injured in Tram Accident" »

Eight years after falling under one of the cars belonging to the Roger Rabbit Car Toon Spin ride, 13-year-old Brandon Zucker has died in Orange, California. The teenager sustained catastrophic injuries during the amusement park accident, and he continued to receive ongoing care and medical support for those injuries until his death on January 25. 

The Disney amusement park accident happened in September 2000 in Anaheim when Brandon fell out of one of the ride's "taxicab" and got trapped beneath another car, which rolled over him. He suffered traumatic brain injuries and was never able to walk or talk again. His family would later settle their California personal injury lawsuit with Disney for an undisclosed amount. The injured boy would spend the rest of his life going in and out of hospitals until his death at Children's Hospital.

Investigators from California's Division of Occupational Safety and Health found that Disney workers failed to make sure that Brandon was properly seated and securely fastened to the Roger Rabbit ride. Following the accident, the state of California mandated that major safety changes be made to the Disney attraction.

To date, there have been 11 fatalities involving people who were injured because of a Disney ride.

Amusement Park Ride Accidents

Over the years, millions of people have traveled to Southern California from around the world and the rest of the United States to visit one of the many amusement and theme parks in the area for their entertainment and thrill seeking pleasure. Disneyland Resort, Six Flags Magic Mountain, Knott's Berry Farm, Legoland, and Universal Studies are just some of the venues that have become popular destinations for kids, friends, and families that wish to ride a rollercoaster, sit on a ferris wheel, or go for a spin in a revolving tea cup.

To ensure a safe and enjoyable visit for everyone, amusement park operators are supposed to make sure that their rides are working properly, all safety precautions are implemented, and employees are properly trained to operate the attractions. When negligence, employee error, or carelessness leads to an amusement park ride accident, the amusement park company and other liable parties, such as the manufacturer of a defective amusement park attraction, can be held liable for personal injury or wrongful death.

Brandon Zucker dies at 13; injury at Disneyland brought focus to amusement park safety, Los Angeles Times, January 27, 2009 

Boy Dies After Disneyland Ride Accident, Fox News, January 27, 2009 

Related Web Resources:

Disneyland Resort

Accident Watch, Theme Park Inside

Continue reading "In Orange, California, Boy Who Sustained Traumatic Brain Injury During Fall Accident from Disneyland Ride Eight Years Ago Has Died" »