Several recent amusement park accidents have sparked public demand for an increase in safety regulations. Just in the last several days, a boy was killed on a water slide; two girls were thrown from a Ferris Wheel, and a toddler fell out of a roller coaster. These horrific accidents have shed light on a very loosely regulated industry. In some parts of the United States, amusement rides have to be check by state inspectors before customers climb on. However, in other places across the country, no inspections are required.
What has been discovered in these amusement park accidents is safety regulations varies greatly by state. Many experts call this an alarming truth for amusement parks and rides in our nation. The amusement industry has fought against federal oversight for decades. The Consumer Product Safety Commission does not oversee rides at permanent parks, but only traveling carnival rides. Federal investigators only respond to traveling carnival establishments if there is a reported accident. Currently, there are no laws requiring inspections for rides in Alabama, Mississippi, Nevada, South Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming.
Every year, thousands of people are injured while visiting amusement parks, water parks, carnivals, and state fairs. The St. Louis law firm of Meyerkord & Kurth, LLC, is currently accepting new amusement park injury cases. Our attorneys exclusively practice personal injury law and are highly qualified to representation victims in amusement park injury-related claims. If you or your child has been hurt in an amusement park accident, contact Meyerkord & Kurth, LLC, immediately for legal help.