Philadelphia Injury Attorney Blog

A gentleman just presented to my office after sustaining a most catastrophic and life altering permanent injury that resulted from wearing water shoes on a water slide at a nationally renowned water park.

As an experienced water slide accident attorney, I have had a chance to investigate several accidents caused by a rider wearing water shoes on a water slide.

Imagine this scenario, you are traveling down a water slide at a high rate of speed and your body has been thrown about and all of a sudden, the rubber non-slip surface of your foot jams abruptly on the side of a water slide causing your bone to come protruding through your skin as you abruptly slow down and come to a halting stop. This is exactly what happened to one of our clients and a collective survey of many national and local water parks revealed that many parks still allow water shoes to be worn on water slides, and in fact sell them despite knowledge of this foreseeable risk.

Continue reading "Wearing Water Shoes on Water Slides May Result in Catastrophic Consequences" »

Despite the fact that the amusement park or manufacturer of the water slide tells you that it is a chance and freak occurrence, the same water slide accident that’s caused you injuries has very likely occurred numerous times before.

As a knowledgeable PA water park accident attorney, I receive a number of inquiries throughout the year from individuals that are seriously injured in water slide accidents. Many times these injuries involve burst fractures of the spine, broken limbs, or worse yet quadriplegia or paraplegia. It is not coincidental that many of the injuries occurred on the same water slide attraction operated by the same national water park company in different parts around the country.

Close to 2 billion people take amusement park rides annually and, unfortunately due to a patchwork of regulations, do so at their own peril. There has been a noticeable spike in fatalities and catastrophic injuries on fixed site amusement park rides, including water slides, and our experienced water slide accident attorneys, experts, and investigators typically see evidence of other similar instances involving the same rides. Of course amusement park operators claim that riders are imputed to understand that a water slide or amusement park attraction involves some risk but when the risk is concealed and the plaintiff is not made aware of the same after repeated instances of the same injury causing failure, then the operator and manufacturer of the ride may be held liable.

Continue reading "If You Have Been Involved in a Water Slide Accident, Chances Are the Same Accident Has Happened Many Times in the Past" »

With record-high temperatures across the country, water parks will be overcrowded with families looking to cool off and enjoy a day of fun shooting down slides and splashing around in pools. As an experienced water park accident lawyer, I am aware of many improper practices taking place in the water park industry with regard to safe ride management, safe ride and water slide operation, proper ride and slide maintenance, and accident investigation.

Yesterday I learned about an 8-year-old girl from Iowa who was seriously injured at Lost Island Water Park. The young girl was riding in an inner tube with her father when the tube flipped over, resulting in her suffering a brain bleed and a broken collar bone. While the park claims this was a “freak accident”, I disagree. In almost every water park accident that our water park accident law firm handles, we are told by park officials that this is the “first accident” on this water slide or ride, and that this particular case was a “random chance encounter”. Based upon our experience, this assertion has almost never been true. Close to 90 percent of reported water park injuries occur on water slides and a high number of these accidents occur on slides that require riders to shoot down slides on a tube.

When patrons enter a water park, they are unaware of the potential dangers that exist. I have investigated a number of cases involving children and adults suffering catastrophic injuries and, in the worst cases, a wrongful death due to the water flow and water level in a pool or on a slide.

Many water parks have non-existent safety related resource manuals and the control of water flow of such rides is many times not carefully monitored. Each water park attraction has identifiable hazards and hazards that are unidentifiable until an accident occurs. Due to the different weight and size of each rider, everyone has a different physical experience. One rider’s experience, such as that of an 8-year-old girl, may be vastly different than another due to pressure of the device in which a rider is situated, ride position, weight, displaced water, water flow rates, contact with other riders, splash and entry position, and speed at run out.

Our skilled water slide accident attorneys have litigated cases involving improperly designed, improperly maintained, and improperly filled, and defective water slides. If you or a loved one has been injured on a water slide or while visiting a water park, please contact the water slide accident law firm of Reiff & Bily for a free, no obligation consultation toll free at (800) 421-9595 or online at www.reiffandbily.com.

Recently, a 4-year-old suffered a fractured skull when she plunged 14 feet while waiting in line for a ride at an amusement park. The young girl remains in the hospital with head injuries, broken ribs, and a brain bleed, and according to news sources, a health and safety inspector investigating the theme park accident is focusing on a fence panel that divides the line’s queue.
Our hearts and prayers go out to the family of the 4-year-old victim. The family would be well advised to consult an experienced theme park accident attorney to independently investigate the circumstances which lead to her serious injuries.

If you have ever visited a popular amusement park, the mix of fun also involves endless and painful waiting for a relatively short ride of pleasure. When you enter an amusement park, like any other business, the owners and operators of the park have a duty to provide a safe environment for their guests, which includes providing for your safety and security, ensuring all waiting areas are reasonably safe and free from hazards. Amusement and theme parks must take precautions to make sure that surfaces are not uneven, not slippery, properly lit, and that all ramps and stairs have handrails, guardrails, and are not too steep. Employees should be trained in safety maintenance and injury prevention.

Amusement parks and water parks are often the site of slip and falls, negligent security, and attacks and assaults. As an experienced Pennsylvania theme park accident attorney, unfortunately, each year we are consulted by children and their parents who have been injured, drowned, or been attacked or sexually assaulted at an amusement park. Many times, amusement and water park accidents are the result of improper staffing, improper training, inadequate maintenance, or lack of appropriate security safeguards. Amusement park accidents many times involve a combination of premises liability, product liability, and negligent security, and all claims must be independently investigated at the outset to avoid spoliation of evidence and to preserve information that may be extremely important to the successful prosecution of a legal claim. When amusement park owners and operators fail protect your safety, they must be held accountable.

The experienced amusement park attorneys of Reiff & Bily always offer a free, no obligation consultation to victims and their families injured in amusement park or water park accidents.

As water park injuries and deaths continue to mount for adults as well as children, I feel most comfortable calling for the mandatory use of life jackets at water parks for children under 42” in height and smaller. Unfortunately, as an experienced water park accident attorney, I regularly receive calls from families whose children have sustained serious injuries and sometimes drowning deaths as the result of water park and swimming accidents.

I have found that the safety and regulation of many water parks is haphazard at best, and although we assume that water slides, tube shoots, rapid runs, and other water attractions may be safe and uneventful, I all too often have the opportunity to venture to the other side of the equation.

As water parks continue to push the envelope of safety in order to offer consumers the latest thrill experience, including but not limited to tube rides, water slides, shoots, and rapid style rides, physics dictates that with most extreme experiences comes the risk of harm and drowning.

Many water parks have non-existent safety related resource manuals and the control of water flow of such rides is many times not carefully monitored. Each water park attraction has identifiable hazards and hazards that are unidentifiable until an accident occurs. Due to the different weight and size of each rider, everyone has a different physical experience. One rider’s experience may be vastly different than another due to body surface contact with slide path, pressure of the device in which a rider is situated, ride position, weight, displaced water, water flow rates, contact with other riders, splash and entry position, speed at run out, and slickness of the operating surface.

In recent months, I investigated water accident claims involving broken backs, unconsciousness, and broken bones and one can only imagine the dangers presented to a young child if they are not fully protected by the use of a life or water safety vest should the unexpected occur.
No matter how great a swimmer one may be, I believe that proper safety concerns mandate water park safety life jackets or life vests.

If you or a loved one has sustained a Philadelphia water park injury or drowning, the experienced amusement park, water park, and swimming accident attorneys of Reiff & Bily always offer a free no obligation consultation toll free at (800) 421-9595 or online at www.reiffandbily.com.

Water parks are inherently dangerous to swimmers and non-swimmers alike. Normally, the first thought that comes to mind when we think of a water park or amusement park is screams of laughter and joy with the shrieks of terrified amusement goers.

Unfortunately, as an experienced water park accident attorney, I have had to deal with my share of unthinkable catastrophic injuries and deaths that repeatedly occur at American amusement parks and water parks.

When many individuals board a water park attraction, they are not fully aware of the risks involved as new amusement park attractions often push the safety envelope by demanding more physical strength and control than many patrons possess. Many passengers have no idea what to expect or how to react in a surprising situation, particularly if water flow speeds, deck level, and rider time is not properly controlled.

Accidents are bound to happen when water park, and unfortunately, some amusement park, operators take shortcuts whether it is in relation to a maintenance repair or hiring qualified individuals to inspect, maintain, and supervise the rides.

Generally, the amusement park and water park accidents occur from a combination of circumstances including, but not limited to, incorrect inspections, damaged parts, corrosion, defective design, defective maintenance, and improper supervision. In some cases, operators may be distracted or under the influence of alcohol or drugs, giving rise to potential criminal and civil prosecution.

Many times, an experienced water park accident lawyer will hear from the defense that the accident was a “random chance encounter” and a terrible tragedy. Most times accidents are the result of simple human error. Many times after an accident happens, an amusement park or water park has limited first aid facilities and an independent investigation may reveal that an improper risk assessment was carried out. Safety checks are often not performed and distracted employees are neglectful in their failure to operate the attractions safely. Many times on water slides and in wading pools, young children or adults without proper water safety instruction or experience are allowed to travel alone without an appropriate buddy or older person. In some instances, the lifeguards may not be properly qualified for the circumstances.

The issues in amusement park and water park accidents in Philadelphia are rarely black and white and require independent and unbiased investigation by experienced amusement park and water park accident experts and attorneys if an accident occurs. Our skilled Pennsylvania amusement accident and water park accident attorneys have authored many articles on amusement park safety and always offer a free, no obligation consultation to victims and their families injured in amusement park and water park accidents. Contact us toll free at 1-800-421-9595 or online at www.reiffandbily.com.

Pennsylvania water park accidents and amusement park accidents are more common than you think. Unfortunately, most of the accidents are caused by errors on behalf of water park staff members in charge of operating and maintaining the rides.

Many times, water park and water slide accidents occur due to an improper spacing of thrill seekers. Improper spacing occurs when a member of the water park’s staff fails in their duty of checking to see if the water slide’s landing area or slide itself is clear before sending additional riders. On many of these rides, riders travel at speeds up to 30 or 35 mph with virtually no control. Although a great percentage of those individuals will complete the ride safely, many water slide and water park accidents happen when a rider does not exit the amusement ride or water slide attraction and another is sent down behind him causing a violent collision at high speeds. Often, such an accident results in broken bones, spinal fractures, quadriplegia, paraplegia, and in the worst cases, wrongful death.

In many of the water park and amusement park accidents that our investigators have independently examined, we have identified numerous problems with procedures and protocols involving safety. Many times, the attendants operating these water park attractions are not paying close enough attention to their timing watch. Based on the average time it takes for a rider to complete the slide, timing watches are used to assist the attendant in calculating the time and space gaps between each rider for safe passage. In almost all of the amusement accidents that our experienced amusement park accident law firm handles, we are told by defense counsel and park officials that this is the “first accident” on this ride and that this particular case was a “random chance encounter”. Obviously, based upon our experiences, we know that this assertion is not true.

As an experienced amusement park accident attorney in Philadelphia, I am aware of many improper practices taking place in the amusement park and water park industry with regard to safe ride management, safe ride and water slide operation, proper ride and slide maintenance, and accident investigation, following an accident. I believe that there is a conspiracy of silence when it comes to reporting water slide and amusement park accidents. I, along with many of the nation’s top amusement park and water park design and safety experts, urge the federal government to take greater steps to regulate both the amusement and water park industry. Until more stringent regulations are put in place on a national level, amusement park and water park accidents will continue to happen.

If you or a loved one has been involved in an amusement park or water park accident, please contact one of our experienced amusement park or water park accident lawyers of Reiff and Bily for a free, no obligation consultation toll free at 1-800-421-9595 or online at www.reiffandbily.com.

Over the past few years, as an experienced water park and amusement accident attorney, I have commenced independent analysis and investigations on numerous water slide accidents that have catastrophically injured our clients.

Recently, Kerzner International was sued by a U.S. couple after they allegedly sustained a serious injury on a high speed water slide known as “The Abyss”, at the “Atlantis” Resort. Court documents allege that a South Carolina resident sustained serious and permanent injuries after he crashed into his son while they were enjoying the Abyss water slide at the Atlantis water park on Paradise Island. The complaint further claims that there was no lifeguard at the bottom of the slide and “unfortunately without any warning provided to plaintiff Charles Black due to the defendant’s negligence, the bottom of the Abyss was not clear when Charles Black went down.” The U.S. court document further read that “as a result Charles Black ran into his son at a very high speed which in turn caused him to sustain serious and permanent injuries including a severely fractured leg and ankle which thus far has required significant medical treatment including surgery to repair.”

Water park and water slide accidents such as this are not as uncommon as one would think. As a skilled water park accident lawyer, I have seen too many instances of owners and operators neglecting their duty to ensure reasonable care and safety to guests visiting their water park. In many of the cases handled by our water park and amusement park accident law firm, independent investigations have revealed a lack of proper safeguards. It is important that all water park and amusement park accident victims know that the owners and operators of these parks may be held vicariously liable for all acts of negligence committed by their staff, agents, employees, lifeguards, or other persons who cause or contribute to an incident.

At a recent meeting with some of the nation’s top amusement park and water park ride safety and design experts, I was shocked at how many existing amusement park rides and water slides in operation are improperly designed. It appears that the industry is “pushing the safety envelope” in order to provide a greater thrill factor. The safety of a ride is only as good as the quality of the people manufacturing, operating, and maintaining the ride. All amusements and water slides must be determined to be safe for all guests through proper inspections, repair procedures, maintenance, follow up, and employee procedures. The owners and operators of water parks and amusement parks have an obligation to correct any and all dangerous conditions which they know or should have known existed by the exercise of reasonable care.

In one of the water slide accident cases that the lawyers of Reiff and Bily are currently litigating, a water slide ride attraction was improperly loaded by the operators of a major American amusement park chain, and the victim sustained spinal burst fractures resulting in significant and permanent disabilities. The amusement park claimed that this was a “one time” and random occurrence, yet we were able to determine through a series of investigation that a number of similar accidents throughout the United States involving the same ride with a similar injury pattern have occurred.

While I have been attacked by many critics stating that our law firm is taking the fun out of life, safety rather than profitability should always be the number one concern.

If you or a loved one has sustained an amusement park or water park injury, it is important to retain an experienced amusement park expert to immediately inspect the ride and preserve any and all evidence. While we expect Kodak moments of pleasure at amusement attractions, many times this is not the case.

The experienced Philadelphia water park accident attorneys of Reiff and Bily always offer a free, no obligation consultation. For more information, contact us toll free at 1-800-421-9595 or online at www.reiffandbily.com.

For over three decades, I have been practicing catastrophic injury and wrongful death law and all too often a catastrophic injury or wrongful death is caused by a clear violation of laws that have minimal if any enforcement guidelines and “teeth".
Recently the Concordia cruise ship disaster illustrated just how many deaths and catastrophic injuries could be caused in an industry guided by rules that were spottily enforced. Every time an accident happens whether it involves a cruise ship, bus accident, trucking accident, amusement park accident, or product liability claim, authorities and experts are quick to state that the event is a wake-up call that highlights longstanding safety concerns.

In Philadelphia, we continue to have an escalating hit and run car accident crisis due to the fact that there are several well-known loopholes in the laws and yet legislators refuse to take steps to change and enforce codes which should in reality punish violators.

The law firm of Reiff and Bily has handled many amusement park accident cases, and yet the enforcement of these safety regulations is spotty despite the volume of rules and amount of unreported amusement park and water park accidents. Many industries escape regulatory scrutiny and it comes as no shock that catastrophic accidents occur when safety protocols are not followed and enforced. Rules and regulations without enforcement are meaningless and if the rules and regulations provide a mechanism for enforcement, individuals or corporations in positions of power often think (as demonstrated by their action or non-action) that they are above these rules and think that they can escape liability by the use of a creative lawyer or legal system which fails to enforce said rules and regulations. If our system chooses to ignore rules and regulations, it fosters a system where it is easier for individuals and corporations to become and remain corrupt then to remain honest.

I have always believed that laws not enforced cease to be laws, and rights not defended may wither away. I believe that the courtroom with proper legal representation makes equals of all men and that an injured victim must ensure that laws are followed and enforced. While catastrophic injury and personal injury lawyers will continue to be bashed by corporations and insurance companies who continue to delay, deny, and defend rightful claims, I for one understand that enforcement of laws and prosecution of wrongdoers are necessary to protect the public and promote order which is the first requisite of liberty and justice.

The law firm of Reiff & Bily has joined forces with the Beasley Firm and together the Beasley Reiff Law Group now offers for free “My Lawyer - Travels With Me" iPhone and Android application to help Pennsylvania residents who are involved in a catastrophic accident.

The law firm of Reiff & Bily and the Beasley Firm are two nationally recognized law firms dedicated to serving those who have been catastrophically injured or wrongful death due to defective products, medical malpractice, premise liability, and amusement park or water park accidents. Together our lawyers have been awarded over $2 billion dollars in verdicts and settlements since the mid-1950's.

Our new “My Lawyer - Travels With Me" application will provide all of the tools to those injured in an accident to take timely and lawful action in order to protect their legal interests and financial future.

I have been researching, investigating, and litigating amusement park accidents, water park accidents, and hayride accidents for over three decades. I have been attacked by many individuals stating that I am nothing but a greedy lawyer taking the fun out of life. Many individuals today who are riding on safer amusement rides or using safer products quickly point the finger at lawyers and without the fight of dedicated lawyers for consumer safety and protection many products manufacturers, or amusement park operators and amusement manufacturers would still be placing profitability ahead of safety concerns.

When I meet with parents of children who were catastrophically injured or died on an amusement ride or hayride and the owner/operator points the finger at an innocent child when in fact the amusement or attraction was improperly maintained, improperly inspected, or was operated by an individual with a questionable background who was improperly trained, I am astonished to see a public relations campaign attacking lawyers who only get paid if they are able to prove fault or negligence and win a case. I am astonished and surprised to read negative posts on blogs by people who don’t have a clue as to what really happened and who most probably would also seek legal representation and an independent investigation if they or their child was catastrophically injured or killed.

Our experienced amusement park and theme park accident attorneys always work only on a contingent fee basis and only charge a fee if we win the case. Many amusement parks claim that they regulate themselves and have proper motivation to insure safety and many state agencies that regulate amusement parks don’t have the budgets or technical expertise necessary to properly do their jobs. In fact, many theme parks and amusement park operators claim that state and local legislators lack budget resources and technical experience to carry out proper safety checks and investigate accidents and claim that they can do it better. I believe that if an amusement park or water park is operating safely and taking all steps to insure that amusement ride accidents do not occur, they should not be so afraid of a lawyer double checking the system. After all, a contingent fee amusement park and theme park accident lawyer will not take the case or get paid if, in fact, it can be determined that the owners and operators did nothing wrong. For those who complain that lawyers are taking the fun out of life and always blame the victims. Think about how you would feel if you were catastrophically injured or your child was killed at a theme park or amusement park that was said to be safe and carefully hid defects and problems from the public.

Checks and balances are a good thing.