Tens of thousands of families are expected to ring in 2014 by spending New Year’s Eve or New Year’s Day at one of Orlando’s popular theme parks. Walt Disney World is a favorite. In fact, each of Disney’s Central Florida parks typically hits maximum capacity around mid-day on both of these days annually. If you’re celebrating with a Florida theme park visit, personal injury attorneys with Orlando’s Todd E. Copeland & Associates want to make sure you’re aware of these need-to-know facts:
- The US federal government has no regulation of theme park rides. That’s not to say that theme parks are regulatory free-for-alls. Florida parks are subject to both state and local government codes, requirements and safety inspections, and must pass rigorous inspections by insurance companies. Nationally, theme park ride safety and quality standards are set by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) International’s F-24 Committee on Amusement Rides and Devices. The committee is made up of consumer advocates, government officials, amusement park operators, ride manufacturers, and industry suppliers who collaborate to establish and enforce standards on the design, manufacture, testing, operation, maintenance and inspection of theme park rides. Standards undergo frequent review and revision to keep pace with new technologies.
- Upwards of 7,000 injuries sustained at theme parks are reported each year, and around five of them are fatal. From 1990-2010, some 92,000 children under age 18 were taken to emergency rooms for treatment of injuries sustained at theme parks.
- Water parks and public pools contribute to 20 to 80 disease outbreaks each year. In fact, E. coli has been detected in 58 percent of samples taken from public pools. Though Florida’s water parks are closed for the winter season, many families and college students already are planning trips to Florida’s numerous water parks come March, when most open in time for Spring Break.
- The leading cause of theme park ride accidents is rider misconduct, including failure to keep hands and feet inside ride cars at all times. Not only does ignoring safety instructions put you at greater risk for injury, it also may limit your ability to secure compensation for your injuries in personal injury cases.
Theme park visits are meant to be fun-filled outings. If yours results in a serious injury or illness, get medical treatment immediately, then call an experienced amusement park injury attorney. Todd E. Copeland & Associates can be reached in Orlando at 407-999-8995, or in Kissimmee at 407-847-7277.
