Breaking News: two riders were taken to a hospital after being left dangling for over two hours on a ride. According to reports, twenty-two park guests were left suspended in the air for over two hours after a technical malfunction on the Sol Spin, a ride at the popular Buena Park theme park.
The attraction consists of six swinging arms that reach the height of six stories (or approximately 60 feet high). The swinging arms rotate independently, spinning riders in 360 degrees and giving them the sensation that they are spinning in multiple directions at the same time. The ride is located in Fiesta Village.
Due to the technical difficulties, the Sol Spin stopped mid-cycle, according to a Knott’s Berry Farm spokesperson, leaving riders dangling in multiple angles. This occurred at about 2pm. Video footage showed staffers using a crane to repair the ride at about 3:30pm; once repairs were made, the arms of the ride were able to be lowered. Riders were evacuated at around 4:30pm.
According to reports, several people were limping away after being evacuated, and at leaset one person was escorted in a wheelchair.
Two female riders were transported to hospitals to be medically evaluated “out of an abundance of caution,” the spokesperson said.
Unfortunately, incidents at theme parks are very common. Guests may get stuck on rides in dangerous situations many feet in the air, like in this recent incident. Both physical injuries and psychological injuries are likely. If you or a loved one suffered harm due to a ride malfunction at Knott’s or any other theme park, it is important that you seek legal assistance as soon as possible.
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Common Causes of Ride Malfunctions at Theme Parks
Some examples of the possible causes of ride malfunctions at theme parks may include the following:
- A lack of routine inspections of the attractions
- Defective attractions
- Electric failures
- Lack of regular maintenance on attractions
- Mechanical issues with the attractions
- Staff failure to complete pre-ride checks
- Staff not properly trained to operate the attractions
Harm Caused by getting Stuck on Amusement Park Rides
These incidents can lead to physical injuries as well as phycological harm. In the recent incident at Knott’s Berry Farm, no injuries were initially reported. However, based on the total length of time that riders were stuck, and the position in which they were stuck, it is possible for them to suffer injuries. These could include bruises, strains (including strained neck), blood pooling, loss of circulation to the arms or legs, etc. Of course, getting stuck in a ride at a theme park especially so high up can result in extensive psychological harm. Riders could potentially experience post-traumatic stress, anxiety, fear, panic, phobia, and more.
No matter the specific harm that you or a loved one suffered due to getting stuck for hours on a theme park ride, it is important that you explore the legal options available to you.
Can I File a Lawsuit?
Based on the details surrounding the incident, you could have the right to sue. In general, the right to sue is based on the concept of negligence. The owners and operators of theme parks have the duty to keep guests safe on their entire premises – of course, this includes keeping guests safe while they are on rides. When the negligence or recklessness of theme park owners/operators (and their staff) contributes to incidents that lead to harm, they can be liable and can be sued by victims and their families.
Knott’s Berry Farm is owned and operated by Cedar Fair Entertainment Company. This means that victims may have the right to sue this entity for harm that occurs at the theme park.
For more information about your right to file a lawsuit, contact the experts here at our law firm today.
What Compensation Is Available for Recovery?
If you or a loved one suffered physical injuries or psychological harm because of an amusement park ride malfunctioning, you could be eligible to recover compensation. Some of the different categories of compensation available for recovery could include the following:
- Medical expenses
- Lost earnings
- Pain and suffering
- Punitive damages
- Legal costs
In the past, there have been fatal accidents associated with theme park attraction malfunctions. In cases of wrongful death, surviving family members could be eligible to recover wrongful death benefits, which may include funeral and burial costs and loss of consortium.
For more information about the possible value of your Knott’s Berry Farm theme park malfunction lawsuit, contact us today. Our lawyers are ready to help you recover the maximum payout available for your claim.
How Long Do I Have to Sue?
All claims are subject to a statute of limitations. This determines the time or the deadline that claimants have to file their claims. If claimants do not file their claims on time, they can lose their right to sue entirely.
In California, personal injury claims are subject to a two-year statute of limitations. This means that victims and their families will have a total of two years to file their claims. However, it is important to note that certain exceptions can apply, which could toll or pause the deadline that applies. For more information about the total length of time that you have to file your Knott’s theme park lawsuit, contact us today!
Contact the Normandie Law Firm – Our Theme Park Ride Malfunction Lawyers Can Help!
Theme parks are supposed to be a place where people of all ages can have fun. Unfortunately, there are many different incidents that can occur on the premises of Knott’s Berry Farm. If you or a loved one suffered harm after getting stuck on a malfunctioning ride for hours, it is important that you seek legal assistance as soon as possible. Here at the Normandie Law Firm, our team has decades of experience and is ready to provide you with the guidance that you need to get justice after getting stuck on a ride at Knott’s Berry Farm.
We offer free case evaluations, which include free consultations and free second opinions. During these free legal services, our team will be available to answer all your questions and address all your concerns – providing you with all the information that you need to begin or continue your amusement park ride malfunction claim. If you are ready to schedule a free case review, contact us today.
Zero-Fee Guarantee: you will never be required to pay any upfront legal fees for any of our legal services. Since our team also works on contingency, our clients will not be required to pay anything at all if their claims are not successful. If you do not win, you simply will not be responsible for covering any legal costs.
Contact us today to learn more about your right to file your ride malfunction lawsuit against Cedar Fair Entertainment Company and Knott’s Berry Farm.
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