Boy Injured at Water Park in Orlando Highlights Dangers of Water Parks
On June 14, 2020, a 9-year-old child was found unconscious by authorities at Universal Orlando’s Volcano Bay Water Park after riding the Kala and Tai Nui Serpentine Body Slides. As of this writing, no information has been submitted regarding the child’s injuries or what caused them. Although there are limited details available, this water park accident raises awareness of the dangers of water parks for visitors.
Millions of people from all over the world attend water parks to soak up the sun and race down waterslides, but they can be extremely hazardous. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), over 4,200 individuals ended up in the emergency room in 2015 with minor to severe injuries from water parks. Understanding the potential risks associated with water parks can help in the event that you or a loved one is hurt.
What Makes Water Parks Dangerous?
It is important that you recognize the dangers of water parks so that you can take necessary safety precautions. On top of large crowds, sunburn, and children running carelessly through the park, many people aren’t aware of how unsafe water rides can be. Some of the most popular rides at water parks can pose the biggest safety threats, including:
- Wave pools: Wave pools produce waves similar to the ocean, which can be risky for younger children or inexperienced swimmers. These types of pools can make it difficult to stay above the water, and in some cases, can capsize swimmers and cause them to drown.
- Waterslides: Whether open or enclosed, waterslides move fast, make sudden jolts, and can have a powerful impact on your body.
- Water structures: Swimming pool areas or walkways are wet and slippery, making it very easy for people to slip and fall on a hard surface.
People are often uninformed of the many hidden health concerns found in water parks. Water park visitors can be exposed to copious amounts of byproducts from disinfectants like chlorine as well as germs that can cause harmful health conditions, such as:
- Norovirus
- Fungal infection
- Brain-eating amoeba
- Fecal and urine contamination
- Giardia
Most people believe that dangers and health issues at water parks are rare or that it would be very unlikely for it to affect them. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. Water park accidents can happen to anyone at any time, but by taking steps to be prepared, you may be able to minimize the extent of the consequences.
What are the Most Common Water Park Injuries?
Due to the dangers outlined above, children, teens, and adults are all susceptible to debilitating or potentially fatal injuries. As water parks jump the gun to introduce new exciting rides, they often fail to ensure that the rides and parks are entirely safe. Some of the most common injuries that happen at water parks include:
- Falling
- Broken bones
- Skin burns
- Lacerations and bruising
- Concussions
- Neck and back strains
- Brain damage
- Spinal cord injuries
If you were hurt in a water park accident, you must receive medical treatment immediately, even if you do not feel urgent pain. Failure to receive proper care after an accident can result in long-term complications and put your life in jeopardy and also affect your ability to attain a fair personal injury settlement.
How is Liability Determined in Water Park Accidents?
Sometimes accidents are inevitable, and no one is at fault. However, at water parks, owners, managers, and employees have a responsibility to make sure that their facilities are constantly monitored and safe for everyone. Common acts of negligent and reckless behavior that occur at water parks include:
- Insufficient lifeguard training
- Lack or absence of lifeguards on duty
- Lifeguard error
- Jam packed pools
- Failure to administer proper height and weight restrictions
- Fast or hard to control rides
- Lax maintenance and inspection of rides or premises
- Absence of warning signs and hazards
If your accident was caused by any one of these issues, then you may have grounds for a premises liability claim. Under Florida Law, a premises liability lawsuit holds property owners accountable for their failure to maintain their properties in a way that protects visitors from any issues or hazards that could harm them. In some cases, you may be able to hold both the water park and an employee responsible if an employee willingly acts careless while on duty.
Orlando Personal Injury Attorneys Assisting Water Park Accident Victims
Water parks are all fun and games until you or someone you love is severely injured. It is crucial that you take the necessary steps to keep you and your family safe at water parks. However, there is only so much you can do—after all, you’re there to relax and enjoy your time. When water park owners fail to ensure that all employees are equipped with necessary safety precautions and that all rides, products, pools, and lounge areas are constantly maintained, the consequences can be extensive and catastrophic. Consult the Orlando personal injury attorneys at The Umansky Law Firm to evaluate your water park accident case.
At The Umansky Law Firm, our personal injury team is dedicated to representing Florida residents and out-of-state tourists that have been injured at Florida water parks due to a negligent park owner or employee. We believe that you deserve sound legal advice that is reliable and knowledgeable and gives your case the personal attention it needs to achieve positive results. When you’re ready to discover the value of your personal injury claim, call us today or complete our contact form for a free consultation.
