Premises Liability Applies to The Big Guys Too
Search for “slip and fall at Disneyland” on Google and you’ll be amazed at the results. I personally looked at a couple dozen search results dedicated to personal injury and specifically slip and fall injuries associated with Disneyland, Disneyworld (Florida) and some other Orange County theme parks. I thought it would be apropos to write about slip and fall injuries in Orange County and specifically those that occur at some of our many theme parks.
It’s not surprising that injuries occur at theme parks. Those familiar with our O.C. theme parks can easily see where hazards may occur. Ever ridden one of the splashier rides like a log flume-type ride or a roller coaster which winds around mountains and dips into running streams? The water features in those rides can be exciting and add a lot of fun to the ride, but water can also be a hazard.
slip and fall injury hazard at theme park
Some theme parks have boat or canoe rides. It’s not hard to visualize water getting into those boats and creating a slippery surface. Visitors to theme parks that go on these boat-type rides must enter and exit those boats and a wet surface can contribute to a slip or fall. While most people emerge from a theme park ride unscathed, there are those who unfortunately sustain injuries due to hazardous conditions.
Just because a park has a reputation as a very happy place does not mean it does not have the same legal responsibilities that any other property owner in the state does. It’s called premises liability and we’ve discussed this in great detail elsewhere on this site. Premises liability means in simple terms that a property owner (even of a famous theme park) has a duty to prevent injuries to visitors to that property. Potential hazards need to be identified and eliminated. Anything that could contribute to someone’s personal injury (e.g., a slip and fall injury) needs to be addressed. In the case of spilled or standing water in an area where people walk, that water needs to be removed. There also no accounting for the hazards visitors may create for themselves as this video shows.
When to Call a Slip and Fall Attorney
Sometimes theme parks get it right and address potential hazards in a timely, effective manner. That’s not always the case, however. Human error, poor oversight, negligence or apathy can contribute to a hazardous condition. If a hazard does result in injury to a visitor and it can be proven that the theme park knew about the situation but did not fix it or were in some way negligent then they must be held accountable. Under California’s premises liability law they can be. Enlisting a slip and fall lawyer in Orange County when such injuries occur means your rights under premises liability law will be maintained. It’s also important to confer with a seasoned slip and fall attorney before acceding to the suggestions or offers of a theme park should you be injured on their property.
Theme parks, whether in Orange County, CA or anywhere else in the United State, have a duty to keep their visitors safe and visitors have a right to expect a safe and fun experience. If you have suffered a slip and fall or trip and fall in Tustin, Anaheim, Buena Park or elsewhere, at one of our theme parks or even on some other property, please make sure you give us a call to discuss your case and ensure your rights under law remain intact. Call for a free consultation at 714-544-1460.
If you are hurt, we can help!