Can You Ride Roller Coasters With a Broken Rib

How Much Compensation Can I Claim For A Theme Park Accident?

By Stephen Bishop. Last updated 4th August 2021. Welcome to our guide on theme park accident claims. Theme parks are meant to provide a fun experience. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. While accidents are rare, they do happen, and visitors end up injured because of the negligence of others. If this is something that has happened to you, you may be able to make a claim for theme park accident compensation.

While we cannot take away the pain and suffering, we can make sure that you do not suffer financially because of it. After all, why should you have to experience a loss of income and medical expenses because of an accident that was not your fault?

We will be with you every step of the way, and we aim to make the claim process as straightforward and stress-free as possible. So, to get started, read on to find out everything you need to know about theme park accident claims.

Select a section:

A guide to theme park accident claims
What is a theme park accident?
Theme park accident caught on tape or video
Have you been injured in a theme park accident?
What should you do if you or your child has been injured in a theme park accident?
Fatal accident and death due to a theme park accident, can I claim?
Who is responsible for theme park accidents?
What can I claim for after a theme park accident injury?
The long-term effects of a theme park accident
Theme park rollercoaster accident claims
Who can claim for a theme park accident?
How much compensation can I claim for a theme park accident?
No Win No Fee theme park accident compensation claims
What are the most common theme park accidents?
Most popular theme parks in the UK
What kind of evidence do you need to make a theme park injury claim?
How to start your theme park accident claim
Why choose us for your theme park accident claims service?
Call for free advice and to start a claim
Helpful Links
Theme park accident claims FAQ

A guide to theme park accident claims

Theme Park Injury Claims

We have helped many children and adults that have been injured as a result of an accident at a theme park or fairground. There are strict health and safety procedures in place that must be adhered to by anyone involved in the design, maintenance, construction, organisation, and operation of an amusement park. If these rules have not been adhered to, and you have been injured as a consequence, or someone you love has been involved in a fatal accident, we can help you get the full payout you deserve.

Within this guide, we'll explain how exactly a theme park accident is defined and the different types of injuries this type of accident can cause. We'll also look at the different ways a theme park accident can potentially occur.

We'll also go through the recommended steps to follow if you or a child of yours is injured in an accident due to negligence by a theme park. We will also take a closer look at the types of damages you may be able to claim for following a theme park accident and potential compensation amounts.

What is a theme park accident?

A theme park accident is any type of incident that has taken place at a theme park or fairground and result in injuries. To make a claim for such an accident, you need to prove that the incident was someone else's fault. Aside from this, the accident must have occurred within the past three years, as this is the usual time limit on all personal injury cases.

This is applied by law under the Limitation Act 1980 . There can be exceptions to how the time limit works under certain circumstances. The three year time limit is frozen if the injured party is a child, and it remains frozen until the day the injured party reaches their 18th birthday. The time limit is also put on hold (at least temporarily) if the injured party lacks the mental capacity to act on their own behalf.

Theme park accident caught on tape or video

Theme parks are the place we go to have fun, but for some people, fun is the last thing they experience. The video below reveals some of the deadliest amusement park accidents caught on tape.

Have you been injured in a theme park accident?

If you have been injured in an amusement park accident that was not your fault, it is important to get in touch so we can help you to secure the compensation that you deserve.

The most important step is always to get the medical attention you require. Even if your injuries are minor, it is important to see a doctor. This is because the medical report is one of the most crucial pieces of evidence in any case.

Once you have done this, give us a call, and we will do all we can to secure compensation for you.

What should you do if you or your child has been injured in a theme park accident?

If your child has been injured at a theme park, you may be able to claim on their behalf. If you don't, your child will have three years from the date of their 18th birthday to make a claim on their own behalf.

A child can't start a claim on their own behalf before their 18th birthday, but a representative such as yourself or another close relative could potentially start a claim for them before they become an adult. A representative which claims on behalf of another injured party in a compensation claim is formally known as a litigation friend .

Fatal accident and death due to a theme park accident, can I claim?

If a loved one or family member has been involved in a fatal accident at a theme park, you may be able to make a claim on their behalf. This is so long as you are a family member or dependant of the deceased. You may be able to claim a bereavement award, as well as funeral expenses, medical expenses, punitive damages, and general damages.

Who is responsible for theme park accidents?

As part of the Health and Safety at Work Act, fair owners, operators, and managers have a legal duty to maintain their machinery. They must ensure it is kept in safe working order, so employees and the general public are safe. If these regulations have not been adhered to, the theme park and anyone involved in the error will be to blame.

Legislation that theme parks must adhere to include:

The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974
Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations 1996
Work at Height Regulations 2005
Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 1995 (RIDDOR)
Manual Handling Operations Regulations 1992

What can I claim for after a theme park accident injury?

Our experienced advisors can assist with queries about compensation for the accident you have been involved in. There are a number of things you may be able to claim for, which can be categorised as either special damages or general damages:

General damages: This relates to the compensation you may receive for the pain and suffering you have experienced. This will be determined based on the medical report that your doctor has put together.
Special damages: This refers to the payout you will receive for any out-of-pocket you have encountered as a direct consequence of the accident. For example, this could be anything from childcare expenses and counselling costs to loss of income. It is important to make sure you have proof to claim for special damages, so keep hold of any receipts.
Medical expenses: This refers to any medical expenses that have been incurred as a direct result of the theme park accident. This can include costs that are incurred immediately after an accident at a theme park, such as emergency treatment costs, and can include ongoing expenses such as prescriptions for medicines required for treating the injury/injuries in the future.

The long-term effects of a theme park accident

A UK theme park ride accident can have both physical and mental long-term effects, for which you may be able to claim for. This can include anything from ongoing head injuries to post-traumatic stress disorder.

Injuries sustained on a theme park or fairground include:

Post-traumatic stress disorder
Severed limbs
Burns
Spinal injuries
Head injuries
Chest injuries
Broken bones
Bruising

Theme park rollercoaster accident claims

From ineffective safety barriers to falling signs and defective rides, there are many different problems that occur while on a rollercoaster if it has not been maintained properly. So long as you can show the incident was not your fault, you may be entitled to a theme park accident payout.

Who can claim for a theme park accident?

You are able to claim for a theme park accident so long as the following applies:

The accident was caused by the negligence or error of someone else.
The accident happened within the past three years.
You have seen a medical professional for your injuries.

Parents can also claim on behalf of their children, and you can make a claim if you have lost a family member due to a fatal theme park accident.

How much compensation can I claim for a theme park accident?

There is the option to use a theme park accident compensation calculator to determine how much money you could be entitled to. However, it is important to recognise that it is impossible to give you an exact figure. This is because every case is unique, and it would be wrong to promise you a certain amount of compensation without being sure.

Below, we take a look at the average theme park injury compensation amounts for a selection of different injuries:

Injury	Severity	Compensation
Injuries Affecting Sight	Loss Of Sight In One Eye	£46,240 to £51,460
Injuries Affecting Sight	Minor	£3,710 to £8,200
Back Injury	Severe	£36,390 to £151,070
Back Injury	Moderate	£11,730 to £36,390
Back Injury	Minor	From around £2,300 to £11,730
Neck Injury	Severe	£42,680 to in the region of £139,210
Neck Injury	Moderate	£7,410 to £36,120
Neck Injury	Minor	From around £2,300 to £7,410
Leg Injury	Loss Of Both Legs	£225,960 to £264,650
Leg Injury	Less Serious	Up to £11,110

No Win No Fee theme park accident compensation claims

We know that a lot of people don't make a claim for compensation because they are worried about legal expenses. This is something you do not need to worry about when you choose our service. All of our theme park injury solicitors work on a No Win No Fee basis, offering you a degree of financial protection.

Theme park accident claims

No Win No Fee means that you will only need to pay legal fees if your case is a success, in which case the fee will come from the compensation payout. If, for some reason, we are unable to secure compensation for you, you won't need to pay legal fees. This eliminates the financial concern, and it also reassures you that we only take on cases that we believe have a genuine chance of success.

What are the most common theme park accidents?

Some of the most common accidents at fairgrounds and theme parks occur because of:

Lack of protection on a ride
Accidents on amusements and games
Fire
Electrical failure
Carriages coming loose from rides
Collisions
Unsafe tracks
Failed signals
Mechanical or hydraulic failure
Rides stopping suddenly

Accidents can occur on all types of rides, such as:

Rollercoasters
Water Rides
Carousel
The Haunted Mansion
Log Rides
Bumper Cars
The Waltzers
Ferris Wheel
Extreme Thrill Rides
Circular Rides
Family Rides
Child Rides

It does not matter how the accident occurred, or what ride it was on, so long as it can be proved that someone else is to blame.
You can also claim for injuries that were caused due to food poisoning, as well as slips, trips, and falls.

Most popular theme parks in the UK

If you have had an accident at any of the theme parks below, please contact us for free legal advice today from our expert theme park injury lawyers. Don't worry if you were injured at a theme park that is not on the list, as we will still be able to help.

Adventure Island
Adventure Wonderland
Alton Towers Resort
Barry's Amusements
Blackgang Chine
Blackpool Pleasure Beach
Brean Leisure Park
Brighton Pier
Butlins
Chessington World of Adventures
Clarence Pier
Codonas Amusement Park
Crealy Great Adventure Parks
Diggerland
Drayton Manor Theme Park
Dreamland Margate

Fantasy Island
Flambards Village Theme Park
Flamingo Land Resort
Funland
Great Yarmouth Pleasure Beach
Gulliver's Eco-Park
Gulliver's Kingdom
Gulliver's Land
Gulliver's World
Joylmm
Knowsley Safari Park
Landmark Forest Adventure Park
Legoland Windsor
Lightwater Valley
Longleat Safari Park
M&Ds, Scotland's Theme Park

Oakwood Theme Park
Ocean Beach Pleasure Park South Shields
Paramount London
Paultons Park
Pleasureland Arbroath
Pleasurewood Hills (East Anglia)
Rhyl
Robin Hill
Southport Pleasureland
Sundown Adventure Land
Thorpe Park
Twinlakes Theme Park
West Midland Safari Park
Wicksteed Park
Windsor Safari Park
Woodlands Family Theme Park

What kind of evidence do you need to make a theme park injury claim?

It is always our aim to secure the maximum theme park accident compensation amounts for our clients. To do this, the more evidence we can gather, the better. Let's take a look at some of the evidence that can help to boost your case:

Photographs – If you have any photographs of the accident scene or your injuries, they could help to strengthen your claim.
Witness statements – We will aim to get statements from anyone that witnessed the accident.
Proof of expenses – Please keep any receipts relating to the accident, as well as proof of loss of income. This enables us to claim for this as special damages.
Medical report – Your doctor will put together a medical report that details your injuries, the extent of them, and the treatment recommended.

How to start your theme park accident claim

Starting your theme park accident claim couldn't be easier. All you need to do is give us a call, and we will advise you on the following steps. We appreciate that this is a difficult time in your life, and so the last thing we want to do is add to the stress you are experiencing. This is why we deal with all claims in the most efficient manner, taking the weight off your shoulders.

Why choose us for your theme park accident claims service?

We take pride in our customer-centric approach. We genuinely care about your suffering, and it is always our aim to secure the maximum amount of compensation for you in the quickest and most stress-free manner. Your needs will always be our main priority.

We will listen to your version of events and ask all of the necessary questions so that we can provide the best advice for you. Our legal advice comes with no obligation, and it is completely free of charge. We will take you through all of the steps that are involved in claiming, so you can have a full understanding of what is entailed, and we will be with you every step of the way.

It is always our aim to secure the maximum amount of compensation possible, and we always operate via a No Win No Fee service. This means that you can always be certain that you will never be out of pocket due to making a claim.

Call for free advice and to start a claim

If you have been injured in a theme park accident that was not your fault, all you need to do is give our friendly and professional team a call on 0800 073 8804. We will happily answer any queries you have, and our legal advice comes at no cost to you.

Helpful links

How Much Compensation Can I Claim For a Slip Trip or Fall?

Health and safety guidelines for fairgrounds.

Health and safety fairground updates and news.

Back Injury Claims – Find out if you can claim?

Theme park accident claims FAQ

Can you sue a theme park for whiplash?

You may be able to claim for whiplash if you can prove that you have sustained the injury and it was caused directly by negligent behaviour by a theme park.

How long after an accident can you claim compensation?

You can usually start a personal injury claim for a theme park accident or other types of accidents within three years of when the incident occurred.

Can I claim for emotional distress?

It may be possible to claim for psychological harm you suffered due to a theme park accident. You will need medical evidence which confirms that you suffered this type of harm. You'll also need to proof that such injuries were directly caused by negligent behaviour from another party (such as a theme park).

Thank you for reading our guide about theme park accident claims.

Can You Ride Roller Coasters With a Broken Rib

Source: https://www.legalexpert.co.uk/how-to-claim/theme-park-accident-claims/