Boston Personal Injury Attorney Blog
In the last days of summer, people are trying to make the most of what is left of the warmer weather. For some families, that means going to a county fair or local carnival.
According to a recent news article from British publication, Mail Online, an eight-year-old girl was killed while riding on a carnival ride called Air Maxx 360. This was first time carnival promoters had used the particular attraction, but it is said to have been used throughout Australia in the past without incident.
The ride is a typical cardinal attraction where riders are seated in cars that are lifted up and twirled around a spinning tower. One witness said that the victim was wearing her safety harness, but it looked as if she was slipping out of her seat. At one point, she was hanging on the ride by her legs and trying to block her face with her hands as she was violently spun around.
When she could no longer hold on, she was thrown about 30 to 45 feet from the ride at a height of about 30 feet off the ground. She died after hitting the pavement. She was taken to a local hospital by EMTs, but it was obvious to witnesses that the victim was fatally injured. She was pronounced dead a short time after arriving at the trauma center.
Authorities are saying that there will be an extensive investigation into the exact cause of the accident, but it will take some time due the complexity of the events and the number of witnesses involved.
Our attorneys who handle personal injury claims in Boston understand that people are putting their trust and lives in hands of amusement companies every time they go on a carnival or amusement park ride. The public believes that the company has done everything possible to provide a thrilling ride while never placing a rider in any real danger.
There are many things that can go wrong on carnival rides that can be the basis of a personal injury lawsuit filed under a theory of negligence. It is possible that the ride was defectively manufactured, or a component such as the safety harness itself was defective.
It is also possible that the ride was safe for older riders who would properly fit into the safety harness. In this case, the company should have been aware from product testing and previous experience about the importance of not allowing riders under certain size. It should be noted that another ride at this same carnival was closed the day before the tragic incident due to a problem with the minimum height policy.
Another typical cause of action in wrongful death cases involving amusement or other attractions rides is the negligent supervision or retention of employees. There is supposed to be an employee watching the ride at all times, and if he or she had an opportunity to stop the ride before a person was thrown from it, this may be a basis of negligence, for which the employer is liable for failing to adequately train or supervise employees.
If you are injured at a carnival or amusement park in New England, call Jeffrey Glassman Injury Lawyers for a free and confidential appointment — (617) 777-7777.
Additional Resources:
SECOND ride closed for safety reasons at Royal Adelaide Show where girl, eight, suffered fatal injuries after being flung from Air Maxx 360, August 13, 2014, Mail Online
More Blog Entries:
Summer Swimming Pool Safety in New England, May 15, 2014, Boston Personal Injury Lawyer Blog