Proposal for More Regulation of Amusement Parks and Carnivals to Curb Accidents Does Not Sit Well with Many Amusement Park Operators - Philadelphia Amusement Park Lawyer Says It’s About Time
A recent string of amusement park accidents has shined a spotlight on amusement park injuries. Disneyland and Knotts Berry Farm, two major amusement parks, came under scrutiny when patrons were seriously injured or killed after accidents on park rides. In October, a wrongful death suit was filed against Knotts Berry Farm after one individual fell from The Perilous Plunge, a water ride, and died. The current increase in injuries and deaths at theme parks has lead to closer scrutiny of amusement park rides and proposed federal legislation.
Some government officials such as U.S. Representative Ed Markey (D-MA) believe that federal regulatory guidelines and standards would help reduce theme park injuries and deaths. Although the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission tracks accidents, the agency was stripped of oversight of fixed parks such as Disneyland and Knotts in 1981 which leaves states and parks to themselves. Markey has introduced legislation that would restore the Commission’s oversight of permanent amusement rides and according to sources, the General Manager of Knotts Berry Farm thinks that the trial lawyers are behind the legislation and furthermore adds “They are the ones profiting.” I guess (following this reasoning) he also thinks that it is also okay for amusement parks to profit when rides fail to meet safety rules and guidelines and innocent people are injured or killed. Guess what? Trial lawyers are really the unsung heroes in promoting safer amusement rides by bringing these situations to the public eye and holding the wrongdoers accountable.
Standards and regulations are a pretty good thing and necessary according to this experienced amusement park lawyer. Minimum standards and regulations are probably good regardless of who does the regulating. It is important to have regulations with teeth in them to promote safety standards and prevent cost cutting failures to repair and maintain rides during a crippling economic crisis. It is good business for all to work towards safety. According to statistics, approximately 6,000 people were injured in amusement park accidents last year. This experienced Pennsylvania amusement park lawyer believes that tighter regulation on a uniform scale results in less injuries and deaths as a result of amusement park accidents.
