Recreation Accident FAQ’s

SOUTH KING COUNTY RECREATION ACCIDENTS

What is a recreational accident?

A recreational accident is an accident that occurs during common recreational activities such as bicycling, swimming, or other sports. You could experience a recreational accident while enjoying a water park or amusement park.

What are some of the common recreational accidents Boyd Buckingham have represented clients for?

We have represented clients who have been injured at amusement parks and water parks. We have also represented clients who have suffered sports injuries.

What are the most common causes of amusement park accidents?

While slip and fall accidents occur at theme parts, the most common cause of accidents in amusement parks or mobile carnival rides are mechanical in nature. A mechanical failure may cause injury. The ride may have structural damage that has not been detected. The ride itself may have a design flaw. Safety restraints or lap bars may malfunction or may be missing. A ride operator may fail to operate the ride correctly. A mobile carnival ride may not be assembled properly. Maintenance can be an issue for both fixed and mobile amusement park rides.

What types of injuries have you seen in amusement park injury claims?

We have seen broken ribs, arms and legs. We have seen whiplash injuries. We have even seen paralysis, brain hemorrhages and death.

What can I base me claim for an amusement park injury upon?

We have represented cases for amusement park injuries on negligence, product liability and premises liability.

What are the most common causes of water park accidents?

Many water park accidents occur when two or more riders collide or when an inner tube flips over. Slip and fall accidents are common. Accidents are common during loading and unloading from rides in water theme parks.

There are other water park injuries that occur through poor maintenance practices. When chlorine levels are poorly maintained, illness can result from high bacteria levels in the water. Black algae growth can make wet steps especially slippery and dangerous.

What types of accidents occur most frequently at water parks?

We have seen everything from twisted ankles or broken bones from slip and fall injuries to spinal cord and brain injuries. Lacerations are also common.

Who is liable if I have a recreational accident at a water park?

The water park owners, management and staff may all be held liable if negligence can be demonstrated. It is the responsibility of the water park staff to ensure the safety of all water park patrons. Failure to enforce water park rules can be a form of negligence as can failure to maintain the physical environment.

I’m considering taking up diving. What kinds of accidents should I be concerned about?

Diving accidents occur for two reasons. Either equipment is defective, or the diver fails to observe the rules to prevent decompression sickness. It is vital to take PADI training before you begin diving. It could save your life. Decompression sickness, air embolisms and nitrogen narcosis are the most common diving related injuries.

If I am injured from a dive, who can I file a personal injury claim against?

You may be able to file a claim against the diving instructor, the vacation resort, or the cruise ship you rented your equipment from. If standard precautions, such as making sure you had a PADI trained partner, were not observed, your claim will be even stronger.

How common are sporting accidents?

Almost every sport contains an inherent risk of everything from sprains and strains on the one end of the spectrum to traumatic brain injuries and even death on the other.

How do I know I have a case for my own or my child’s sporting injury?

The only way to really know if you have a defensible case is to contact a personal injury attorney that has experience representing sporting injury claims. There are many factors that must be considered.

Was the playing field properly maintained? Was there a defect in the equipment? Was proper supervision provided? Can negligence be demonstrated? Was the treatment for the injury appropriate?

Boyd Buckingham will take the time to listen, so we don’t get your hopes up if you don’t have adequate information to support a successful claim.