Save financial costs, increase human cost

Amusement parks are following a disturbing trend. Two forces, better rides and better profits, are playing with people’s lives as safety standards are quickly becoming an exercise in “keeping the fingers crossed.”

But the finger-crossing doesn’t seem to be working. Since 1998, more and more serious accidents are occurring at amusement parks across the nation. Some are clear-cut cases of negligence such as the incident at Pigeon Forge’s Rockin’ Raceway in Tennessee, where the general manager was found guilty of reckless homicide after a key safety feature of a ride was bypassed. Others, like the mysterious death of a four-year old on the Mission: Space ride at Epcot Center, may not be as easy to conclude. However all amusement parks have the responsibility to safely transport riders on any ride, regardless of what problems may occur.

Theme parks are consistently trying to make faster, higher, more intense ride experiences for its customers. Yet maintenance for these high-tech machines seems to be declining. Case in point: California’s Disneyland. A Press Telegram article pointed out that Disneyland had a relatively safe record from when it opened in 1955 up until 1998. Between 1998 and 2003, Disneyland had two fatal accidents and one non-fatal, which the newspaper describes as “not victim error.”

The article also said that a state investigation into the theme park found that maintenance procedures had drastically changed in 1997 – and not necessarily for the safer. “Redundant” checks that were meant to double and triple-check that all systems worked perfectly were removed to “cut costs and increase efficiencies.” Workers were laid off, shifts were changed, and a whole positive environment of maintenance workers looking after the same rides was effectively destroyed.

The Press Telegram is quick to point out that the state inspectors did not at any time charge that the policy changes were directly linked to the accidents, but as the newspaper says it is not a huge jump in imagination to see the connection. The most frightening question: if this is happening at one of the most recognizable, visited, and presumably profitable theme parks in the world, what is happening at the other 99%?

If you have been injured on a ride, roller coaster, or other event at an amusement park, contact a personal injury attorney at Jim S. Adler & Associates to find out your rights. Regardless of costs, these parks have a responsibility to keep you safe during your visit. No ride should be considered “dangerous,” and every ride should have all safety measures in place to ensure you do not get injured. Click on the link on this page for a free case review, and make sure that you get the full settlement you deserve to cover lost work and medical bills from your amusement park injury.

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