The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is home to several indoor and outdoor water parks that serve millions of guests each year, mostly during the warmer summer months. Despite being advertised as fun and safe places for the whole family, theme parks can be dangerous if they aren’t properly managed. Hundreds of guests at parks like these across Pennsylvania sustain serious injuries every year, many of which could have been completely avoided if just one park employee—or the park’s ownership as a whole—had acted more responsibly.
If negligence by water park staff or management led to you getting severely hurt, a conversation with a premises liability attorney who has experience handling these situations could be vital to protecting your future prospects. A knowledgeable Pennsylvania water park injury lawyer can provide support throughout your entire case, from initial evidence collection to final negotiations for a fair settlement or court verdict.
Are Water Parks Liable for Injuries?
Broadly speaking, water parks and other amusement parks are not liable for injuries that guests sustain while engaging in horseplay or otherwise violating park safety guidelines. However, water parks are liable for injuries sustained because of hazardous conditions that guests were not properly warned about and protected from, as well as hazards that management should have become aware of and addressed through ordinary care.
Paying water park guests are considered “invitees” under Pennsylvania law, which means water park owners and operators owe them an especially high duty of care compared to other types of property visitors. Any breach of that duty—whether it stems from reckless, careless, or overtly malicious behavior—which directly results in an injury requiring professional medical care might give rise to a civil claim. Anyone who sustains serious injuries at a water park should get in touch with an experienced Pennsylvania attorney at Ostroff Godshall Injury and Accident Lawyers who can begin collecting the evidence needed to pursue legal action against the negligent parties.
Recoverable Damages After a Water Park Accident
A comprehensive claim based on a water park injury could seek recovery for every financial, physical and personal loss you experience. Both short-term and long-term damages may be compensable, including:
- Emergency medical bills
- Costs of future medical/rehabilitative care
- Lost enjoyment of life
- Physical pain and suffering
- Lost work income and/or earning ability
- Personal property damage
- Psychological trauma
42 Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes §5524 allows most personal injury victims a maximum of two years after an incident to file a lawsuit. Failing to file within this timeline could prevent you from being able to recover any compensation at all, which is why it is critical to get in touch with an attorney as quickly as possible after an accident. A skilled lawyer could provide crucial assistance with constructing a strong claim within this deadline following a water park injury in Pennsylvania.
Talk to a Pennsylvania Water Park Injury Attorney About Your Legal Options
Injuries sustained at water parks can have various lasting consequences and recovering financially for all of them can be a difficult task to handle alone. Fortunately, you do not have to protect your rights alone. Founding Partner Jon Ostroff and the rest of our winning team at Ostroff Godshall Injury and Accident Lawyers have a track record of successful outcomes in cases like this. In one case that we handled, we recovered $475,000 for a disabled client that was injured as a passenger in an accident involving a golf cart driven by a park employee.
A Pennsylvania water park injury lawyer can go over your case and your compensation options during a free initial meeting. Give us a call to get started.
