Amusement Park Accident Attorneys

Cedar Point Accidents & Other Theme Park Accidents Near Sandusky

Although they are relatively rare, amusement park accidents often lead to catastrophic injuries and, in the most tragic of cases, deaths. Unfortunately for victims and their families, recovering fair compensation after theme park incidents can be extremely difficult. These entities have powerful insurance companies and defense teams working to dispute personal injury and wrongful death claims, preserve the parks’ reputations, and limit payouts.

If you were seriously injured while visiting Cedar Point or any other amusement park in the Sandusky area or throughout the state of Ohio, it is important that you reach out to an experienced personal injury law firm that can help protect your rights and fight for the compensation you are owed. At Murray & Murray, we bring more than 90 years of experience to every case, along with a commitment to helping accident victims recover the financial resources they need to get back on their feet and move forward with their lives.

We represent catastrophically injured individuals and the families of those wrongfully killed in amusement park accidents in Sandusky and beyond. Call (419) 664-3711 for a free consultation with one of our Sandusky amusement park accident lawyers.

Are Amusement Parks Liable for Accidents?

Amusement parks, theme parks, and other similar entities can often be held legally accountable for accidents, injuries, and deaths when such incidents result from the negligence of an employee, supervisor, or the park itself. While many amusement park accident claims fall under premises liability law, others are based purely on negligence.

Some examples of accidents and incidents for which amusement parks may be liable include:

• Slips and falls
• Rollercoaster and other ride accidents
• Defective machinery/equipment incidents
• Drowning accidents
• Injuries caused by excessive speeds/force
• Ride failure
• Toxic/harmful exposure

Essentially, if an amusement park—or its employees—is negligent, and you are injured as a result, you could be entitled to financial compensation for your damages, such as resulting medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, lost enjoyment of life, disability, disfigurement, and more.

Types of Negligence in Amusement Park Accidents

An amusement park can be held liable for damages if it acts negligently, leading to a serious injury or death of a patron, guest, or another party. But what exactly constitutes “negligence” in amusement park accident claims?

Some examples of amusement park negligence include:

• Improper or inadequate ride inspections and maintenance
• Failure to conduct proper ride repairs
• Failure to warn guests of risks associated with certain rides
• Improper or missing signage
• Providing incorrect warnings or instructions to guests
• Insufficient training of ride operators
• Ride operator and other employee negligence
• Improper ride operation
• Failure to adequately remove, repair, or warn of dangerous conditions
• Inadequate security
• Poor lighting, unclearly marked exits, and unsafe walkways
• Slip, trip, and fall hazards, such as potholes, spills, wet floors, etc.
• Defective property conditions
• Unsafe stairs, steps, and stairwells
• Missing or broken handrails
• Defective rides, components, machinery, safety equipment, and other products

These and other acts of negligence can lead to devastating accidents, resulting in catastrophic and permanently life-altering injuries, as well as deaths. At Murray & Murray, our Sandusky amusement park accident attorneys believe that those responsible should be held accountable.

We know how to fight back against common defenses to amusement park and theme park lawsuits, such as assumption of risk on the part of the guest, accusations of victim negligence and noncompliance with safety procedures, disclaimers, and more. We have a long record of success in representing severely injured accident victims, as well as their family members and loved ones; our team is ready to go up against the amusement park’s insurance company and defense team to advocate for you and your recovery.

Cedar Point Accidents

One of the most popular amusement parks in Ohio, Cedar Point welcomes millions of visitors each year. Known as the second-oldest amusement park still in operation in the U.S., with a world-record number of rides and the second-most rollercoasters at any single park in the world, Cedar Point and its nearby attractions—including Cedar Point Shores, Castaway Bay, and others—is a destination for native Ohioans and tourists alike. Although accidents at Cedar Point are rare, the park does have a history of injury-causing incidents throughout the years.

Most recently, on June 26, 2019, an incident occurred on the Valravn rollercoaster involving two trains colliding on the tracks. Thankfully, no one was seriously injured in the accident, although one witness described seeing people screaming and running from the line following a “huge vibration and crash.” Following the incident, Cedar Point closed the rollercoaster for several weeks, reopening it on July 12.

A more tragic accident occurred at Cedar Point in 2015 when a 45-year-old man was killed while attempting to retrieve personal items from an area below the park’s Rapture rollercoaster. Sadly, the guest’s failure to obey posted warning signs restricting access to the area proved lethal, though no one else, including riders on the rollercoaster, sustained serious injuries.

Over the years, other significant accidents have occurred at Cedar Point in Ohio, including:

• A boat jumping from the tracks on the Snake River Falls ride due to an error in calibrating the ride’s water level in 2013
• Metal debris being forcefully ejected from a launch cable on the Top Thrill Dragster ride, resulting in injuries to four bystanders, two of whom were hospitalized, in 2004
• A child falling from the Cedar Creek Mine ride in 1984 during a 30-foot drop, resulting in a fractured skull

Other accidents have occurred at Cedar Fair (the company that owns and operates Cedar Point) amusement parks over the years, some of which have been fatal. While these incidents occasionally result from the negligence or reckless conduct of guests, they also arise from misconduct on the part of the amusement park or its employees. When this is the case, the liable party can be held legally responsible for victims’ resulting injuries and damages.

How an Attorney at Murray & Murray Can Help

Our firm represents severely injured accident victims, as well as the families of those wrongfully killed in devastating amusement park accidents in Sandusky and the surrounding areas. Our experienced personal injury lawyers can help you clearly understand your legal rights and options, as well as take the appropriate legal action against the liable party. Throughout the process, we are committed to fighting for you and your recovery, working to protect your rights and secure the best possible settlement on your behalf. When necessary, we can even represent you at trial.

As your legal team, we will handle every detail of your case. You can focus on getting the medical treatment you need to heal while we work to recover the fair compensation you need to manage unexpected costs and move forward with your life. We provide free initial consultations and contingency fees, meaning you do not owe anything unless/until we recover compensation for you.

Contact our Sandusky theme park accident lawyers at (419) 664-3711 or submit an online request form to get started with a free consultation.