Knotts Berry Farm in Buena Park, California was recently closed due to reports of multiple fights within the park. Police arrived on the scene after visitors reported sounds of gunfire, though it was later determined that there were no shootings. However, guests were terrified by what they witnessed, including a teen who said, “”I just seen like people fighting and hitting security. I seen people on the floor bleeding. It was like a riot. It was bad.”
Few details have been released about the incident, which is still being investigated by Buena Park Police. However, it’s clear that there were injuries to various individuals, and Knotts Berry Farm’s role in these fights remains to be seen. The day after the incident, park officials implemented a chaperone policy, which will require all visitors 17 and younger to be accompanied by someone who is at least 21 years of age.
What’s interesting here is that such a policy was not in place to begin with. One also has to question the security measures at Knotts Berry Farm, and if there was anything that could have been done to prevent the fights. These are just some of the questions that the amusement park will need to account for in the upcoming days.
Were you or a loved one injured during the recent brawl at Knotts Berry Farm? If the answer is “yes,” please learn about your rights and legal options from the lawyers of Normandie. If negligence by Knotts Berry Farm resulted in a situation that caused you harm, you may have grounds to sue the theme park for monetary damages.
Can I Sue Knotts Berry Farm for my Injuries?
Yes, you can sue Knotts Berry Farm if you can prove that your injuries were caused by the park’s negligence or misconduct. This can mean a lot of things when it comes to a major property that receives millions of visitors a year. On-going supervision, cleaning, and maintenance is needed to prevent accidents like slip and falls, trip and falls, getting hit with falling objects, and sexual assault.
In regards to assault and battery incidents, like the recent brawl, most of them are preventable with sensible screening and security procedures. For example, why were young teens allowed into the park without a chaperone in the first place? A chaperone for minors is a simple and reasonable procedure that is implemented at other fairs and theme parks. The fact that Knotts Berry Farm did not have such a screening procedure could make them liable if someone was injured in a fight prior to the chaperone policy.
Another possibility that must be explored is whether security personnel failed to take preventative measures. For example, if any of the visitors was injured with a weapon, how did the teens sneak in such an item when they are supposed to walk through a metal detector to get in the park? Once they were in the park, were the teens harassing and threatening each other? Was it reasonable to assume that a fight may break out, but security did nothing about it?
These are all issues related to a theme park’s duty of care to their guests. If Knotts Berry Farm breaches their duty of care and an accident occurs as a result, they can be sued by the victims or their family members. If you are in this situation, you must speak to an experienced assault and battery lawyer right away. One of our attorneys can explain your rights and help you file an injury claim against Knotts Berry Farm. Please give us a call and schedule a free case evaluation.
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Injuries from an Assault and Battery at Knotts Berry Farm
Though few details have been released about the fights, witnesses recall people lying on the ground and bleeding, along with loud sounds that were thought to be gunshots. Fortunately, no one was shot according to the police, but other weapons, like knives and shards of glass, could have been involved. This is not unusual in public brawls, which can cause serious, long-term injuries to many people. Here are just some of the injuries that you can sustain if a fight break out at a theme park:
- Cuts and bruises
- Eye damage
- Broken nose
- Rib fracture
- Neck injury
- Traumatic brain injury
- Puncture wounds
- Internal bleeding
- Damage to the internal organs
- Hand fracture / broken wrist
- Knee injury
- Torn rotator cuff
- Tailbone fracture
Even if your injuries don’t seem that bad, make sure to seek medical attention right away. Injuries often get worse in the days and weeks after an accident, so it’s best to take preventative measures from day one. Additionally, you will need proof of your injuries in order to seek monetary compensation from Knots Berry Farm or any other responsible parties.
Compensation from a Lawsuit against Knotts Berry Farm
Depending on your injuries and how they affect your life, there are various forms of compensation you can demand in a lawsuit against Knotts Berry Farm. Here is a list of the possible damages you may be able to recover:
- Cost of medical treatment
- Cost of therapy for emotional trauma
- Lost wages for missed time from work
- Lost earning capacity if you’re unable to work
- Pain and suffering
- Property damage
- Legal fees
- Punitive damages
Our lawyers can determine a fair amount of compensation to ask for, based on the totality of your losses. To discuss what you can receive from a lawsuit against Knotts Berry Farm, contact our office and speak with one of our attorneys.
How long do I have to File a Lawsuit?
You have two years from the date you were injured to file an assault and battery lawsuit against Knotts Berry Farm. Keep in mind that a lawsuit can only be filed once you’ve gone through the injury claims process with the park’s insurance company. Some of these cases are settled in as little as 30 days, but many of them take much longer. If you have serious injuries, it can take up to a year to negotiate a settlement with the insurance company. If a settlement cannot be negotiated, you will need to file a lawsuit and prepare for the possibility of a trial. Thus, two years isn’t much time when it comes to filing a lawsuit, so you must seek help immediately from an experienced personal injury lawyer.
To get started on an injury claim for your financial and emotional damages, contact out law firm at your earliest convenience.
Speak to an Assault and Battery Lawsuit Attorney
Knotts Berry Farm prides itself on being a family-friendly park, where guests can enjoy a safe and wholesome experience. But things can quickly spin out of control, as evidenced by the recent brawl among a group of teenagers. The fact that the park immediately implemented a chaperone policy goes to show that they are aware of their liability in these cases. Furthermore, this was an easy and reasonable measure that could have been taken by the park to prevent such a frightening incident.
If you or a loved one was injured on the premises of Knotts Berry Farm, our lawyers can fight to recover your losses, which can be substantial when you’ve been injured in a brawl. As for our legal fees, you won’t need to worry about that with our Zero fee guarantee. You pay zero fees to retain one of our attorneys, since we only get paid by winning your case. If we don’t win, we eat the costs and you will not be responsible for any of our fees.
Contact Normandie Law Firm and learn about your legal options during a free case evaluation.
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