Georgia Amusement Park Wrongful Death Lawyers
Amusement Park Wrongful Death Attorneys in Georgia Who Take On Big Cases
Attending amusement parks is a popular activity enjoyed by millions of people across the country. Georgia is home to several theme parks, including Six Flags Over Georgia, Wild Adventures, Six Flags White Water, and Lake Winnepesaukah Amusement Park. Unfortunately, amusement parks have rides and other hazards that cause fatalities every year. If your loved one was killed due to the negligence of an amusement and its employees, you have the right to file a wrongful death claim seeking damages for your loss.
When filing a claim or a lawsuit against an amusement park, you’ll want to have the right attorneys by your side. Butler Prather LLP has won landmark cases against some of the most powerful interests in the nation. We have the resources and experience to go up against anybody, even large corporations that own and operate theme parks.
Our firm has been helping accident victims in Georgia and across the nation for over 35 years. Butler Prather LLP has won nine verdicts that exceed $100 million and over 60 verdicts and settlements of over $10 million.
Call our Georgia personal injury lawyers at (706) 322-1990 to learn more today.
Types of Amusement Park Negligence That Cause Wrongful Death
The State of Georgia defines wrongful death as a loss that’s caused by a party’s reckless, intentional, or negligent actions. This includes any form of negligence that leads to a guest’s death, such as a poorly operated roller coaster, a recently mopped floor that doesn’t have warning signs, or allowing a guest who has made threatening comments to remain inside the park.
Types of amusement park negligence that may be grounds for a wrongful death claim include:
- Failure to properly train personnel
- Failure to provide adequate security
- Failure to maintain a safe environment
- Failure to warn guests about hazardous conditions
- Failure to safely maintain and operate rides, attractions, and facilities
Wrongful Death Caused by Amusement Parks Rides
Because they can be so dangerous, amusement park rides are subject to strict regulations by the State of Georgia. When these laws are not followed, large stationary rides such as roller coasters can turn into death traps.
Georgia law clearly stipulates how rides must be operated and maintained. All rides must be licensed by the Georgia Office of Insurance and Fire Safety Commissioner, and they must undergo an annual safety inspection. If a ride is rebuilt or modified, it must be inspected by state officials before anyone can use it.
Rides that cause excessive speed or centrifugal force must have posted warning signs in sharply contrasting colors that are at least at least two feet high and two feet wide. People with medical conditions should not be permitted on these rides, including guests with a heart condition or back ailments and riders who are pregnant.
All rides must have posted signs that designate minimum height and weight requirements for riders and are visible for a distance of 15 feet. Operators must be at least 16 years old and must be trained to operate emergency controls.
Georgia law requires that all large stationary rides meet the following requirements:
- Rides must never be crowded beyond carrying capacity.
- Rides must never travel at an unsafe speed or a speed that exceeds operating instructions.
- Passengers must be safely placed on rides by a park employee.
- All rides must be built to comply with the manufacturer’s construction manual.
- All rides must be operated according to the manufacturer’s rules and regulations.
- Operators must not operate more than one ride at a time.
- Intoxicated patrons shall not be allowed on rides.
- Cables must be thoroughly examined periodically to make sure they can bear the necessary forces and weight.
- Operators must watch for signs of impending mechanical failure.
- Ride manufacturers must meet standards set by the American Society for Testing Material (ASTM).
- Parks must maintain up-to-date inspection and maintenance records.
- Rides must be inspected and tested each day they are used by trained and qualified personnel.
- Accidents that cause an injury or fatality must be reported to the Georgia Office of Insurance and Fire Safety by the end of the next business day.
- Rides must be shut down and taken out of service when they are not operating properly.
- First aid supplies must be ready and available.
- Telephone numbers for local physicians, medical facilities, fire stations, and police precincts must be posted for staff and the public.
- If there is not an appropriate medical facility within one half-mile of the ride, the park must have available personnel who are trained in first aid and CPR.
Finding the Right Georgia Amusement Park Wrongful Death Lawyer
In wrongful death cases, amusement parks may do everything they can to avoid responsibility for your loss. That’s why the skilled litigators at Butler Prather LLP will thoroughly investigate the accident. During our investigation, we may subpoena internal amusement park records and communications that demonstrate a pattern of reckless behavior or attempts to cover up the truth about an accident. We also call upon expert witnesses with specialized knowledge of forensics, engineering, and other fields.
Butler Prather LLP will collect the following types of evidence to support your wrongful death claim:
- Witness interviews
- Accident reports
- Surveillance camera video
- Accident scene photos
- Videos recorded by park patrons
- Physical evidence
- Company documents
Filing a Wrongful Death Claim in Georgia
In Georgia, a wrongful death claim may be filed by the victim’s spouse, adult children, parents, or a representative of the estate. The claim may cover economic, noneconomic, and punitive damages. Financial damages may be included in addition to the loss of love and emotional support.
An amusement park wrongful death claim may be filed against the following parties:
- Amusement park owners
- Park management and staff
- Amusement park visitors
- Manufacturers of defective rides
- Designers of defective products
We’ve Won Billions of Dollars for Our Clients
At Butler Prather LLP, we understand that you are going through a difficult time. That’s why we will always treat you and your family with sensitivity and compassion. Our Georgia wrongful death attorneys have won settlements and lawsuits for clients in over 30 states. We will sit down with you and offer advice on the best way to go forward.
Contact our Georgia amusement park wrongful death lawyers at (706) 322-1990 to schedule a complimentary consultation today.