Florida is full of carnival and theme park entertainment attractions. In addition to the big-name parks in Tampa and Orlando, many cities also host their own smaller carnivals. Taking the children to a carnival with rides and snacks can be a great way to spend a weekend. What happens when your child is injured at a local carnival? Who covers the costs?
Common Carnival Injuries
Carnival injuries may occur more often than you think. While you may not hear about broken roller coasters or rides as frequently, there are a number of other risks to be aware of when visiting a local carnival. Some of the most common carnival injuries include:
- Injuries caused by rough rides
- Slip and fall accidents
- Falling objects
- Overcrowding guests
Any of these can lead to back and neck problems, whiplash, broken bones, and internal bleeding. Your child may even experience pain and suffering as a result.
Who’s Responsible When a Carnival Injury Happens?
The first step in suing to recover costs after your child is injured at a local carnival is finding out who’s responsible. There are a number of people that may be to blame if your child is injured while visiting a carnival.
The most obvious party, and easiest to blame, is the carnival’s owners. Carnival owners travel from city to city and state to state. They’re responsible for maintaining the safety of all rides and equipment, even with the constant movement between destinations.
The owners may be to blame if they don’t ensure all rides are properly maintained or don’t train their staff properly. Ride operators can also be responsible when an injury occurs. If the ride operator fails to monitor the equipment, check safety protocols, or report maintenance or repair needs, they could be to blame.
Product manufacturers can also be responsible if they don’t assemble booths and rides properly. Defective or faulty parts can lead to rides not working as they should.
Finally, some carnival owners or managers hire security and medical staff to respond to emergencies within the park. Failing to accommodate these needs could lead to liability. Additionally, if the security or medical staff are not properly trained to do the job, they could also be subject to liability for your child’s injuries.
Should You Sue After a Carnival Injury?
Whether or not you should sue following a carnival injury depends on the severity of the injuries, who’s responsible, and what the injury has cost you and your family. If someone was negligent, they may be liable for your child’s injuries and any related costs. However, to pursue a personal injury case, Florida requires that you have costs that can be compensated.
If your child has medical bills and you have endured lost wages, it may be worth it to file a lawsuit against the responsible party. Navigating a local carnival injury case can be difficult, especially because they often move between states. If your child suffered a carnival injury, you need to contact a personal injury lawyer.
Keep in mind that Florida limits personal injury lawsuits to four years from the date of the accident. While this may seem like a long time, it’s easy to forget important details that may be important to your case.
Contact a Fort Lauderdale Personal Injury Lawyer to Discuss Your Carnival Injury Case in Florida
Did you or a loved one sustain serious injuries at a carnival in Florida? Don’t let the medical bills pile up while you wait for the negligent party or their insurance company to do the right thing. Right now, you need an aggressive personal injury attorney on your side, fighting to get you the compensation you need, want, and deserve. The skilled attorneys at Lawlor, White & Murphey represent clients injured at a carnival in Broward County, Fort Lauderdale, Coconut Creek, Plantation, and throughout Florida. Call (954) 525-2345 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a free consultation about your case. We have an office conveniently located at 2211 Davie Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312, as well as offices in Pembroke Pines, Weston, Coconut Creek, Plantation, and Pompano Beach, FL.
The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.