What Should I Do if I'm Hurt From Ziplining?

Ziplining is an exhilarating outdoor activity that offers breathtaking views and an unmatched adrenaline rush. However, like any adventure sport, it comes with risks. 

Unfortunately, preventable injuries from ziplining can and do happen—ranging from minor bruises to severe trauma, including broken bones, head injuries, and even fatalities. 

If your injury happened due to a zipline operator’s negligence, you could be entitled to damages, such as medical expenses, income loss due to missed work, and other hardships.

What to Do After a Ziplining Accident

The steps you take following a serious accident can make all the difference in protecting your health, safety, and even your legal rights when someone else is responsible for your accident.

First, Seek Medical Attention Immediately

Your health and safety should be your top priority. If you sustain any injury, seek medical help right away. Even if you feel fine, some injuries—like concussions or internal bleeding—may not present immediate symptoms. A medical evaluation will provide a record of your injuries, which will be crucial if you decide to pursue legal action.

Next, Report the Incident

Notify the zipline operator or the facility where the accident occurred. Most adventure parks and ziplining companies have incident reporting procedures. Make sure to obtain a copy of the report, as it can serve as evidence if you decide to file a claim.

Document the Scene

Take photos and videos of the area where the injury occurred. Capture details such as broken equipment, faulty harnesses, or any safety hazards that may have contributed to the accident. Additionally, document your injuries through photographs.

Collect Witness Statements

If there were other participants or bystanders who saw the accident, ask for their contact information and a brief statement. Witnesses can provide valuable testimony if a legal claim is necessary.

Keep All Medical Records and Receipts

Save all documentation related to your medical treatment, including hospital bills, prescriptions, and receipts for any medical devices or therapy. These records will help establish the extent of your injuries and the financial burden you've incurred.

Then, Contact Morgan & Morgan 

Our experienced personal injury attorneys can advise you about your legal options, who may be at fault, and can fight for the compensation you need and deserve to move forward from this unfortunate accident.

Common Ziplining Injuries

Falls

Falls from a zipline can occur due to harness malfunctions, operator negligence, or structural failures. Falling from significant heights can lead to fractures, spinal cord injuries, or even death.

Collisions

Improper braking systems, miscommunication, or operator errors can cause zipliners to collide with platforms, trees, or other riders. This can result in serious injuries such as broken bones, concussions, and facial trauma.

Equipment Malfunction

If a harness, carabiner, or pulley system fails, it can lead to catastrophic injuries. Defective or poorly maintained equipment can make ziplining extremely dangerous.

Rope Burns and Lacerations

Improper use of gloves, faulty braking mechanisms, or sudden stops can cause severe rope burns or deep cuts that may require stitches or surgical intervention.

Head and Neck Injuries

High-speed travel along a zipline can lead to whiplash-like injuries, particularly if the landing is rough. Helmets may not always provide sufficient protection, leading to traumatic brain injuries (TBIs).

Common Causes of Zipline Accidents

Currently, there are no federal regulations regarding the operation of ziplines. State laws and regulations can diverge widely on the matter. However, even operators following industry safety standards regarding equipment, training, and accident prevention can experience accidents due to negligent conduct. Reasons for zipline accidents can include:

Improper Equipment or Courses

Equipment varies according to users’ age, height, and the nature of the course. If an employee makes a mistake when handing out safety equipment, accidents can occur. Improperly maintained parts, such as worn wires and anchor points, can also cause accidents and injuries. 

Negligent Operation of the Zipline

Zipline safety is largely dependent on well-trained, experienced, and responsible staff. If an employee skips checks or is distracted, zipline riders can get injured due to crashes with others or failing to wear appropriate safety gear.  

Malfunctioning Brake Systems

When an individual cannot control the speed of their descent due to an improper brake system, they could collide with a person or structure. Crashes and collisions with objects or other individuals can cause devastating accidents and injuries.

Other reasons for accidents can include improper maintenance of the zipline mechanisms and defective design of the cable or parts. 

Determining Liability in a Ziplining Accident

You shouldn’t have to bear the burden of someone else’s mistake. Your lawyer at Morgan & Morgan will help you to determine who is at fault. Several parties could be held responsible for a ziplining injury, including:

Zipline Operators and Facility Owners

Businesses providing ziplining experiences have a duty to maintain safe conditions. If negligence—such as failing to inspect equipment, inadequate staff training, or lack of safety instructions—contributed to your injury, they could be held liable.

Equipment Manufacturers

If faulty equipment played a role in your injury, the manufacturer or distributor could be responsible for producing defective gear. A product liability claim may be necessary in such cases.

Third-Party Contractors

Some ziplining facilities outsource maintenance and inspections to third-party companies. If these companies fail to uphold safety standards, they may be held accountable for accidents.

Government Entities

If the ziplining course is on public land and managed by a government agency, there may be additional legal hurdles in filing a claim. However, it is still possible to pursue compensation.

Understanding Waivers and Legal Rights

Most ziplining facilities require participants to sign a liability waiver before they ride. These waivers generally attempt to absolve the company of responsibility for injuries. However, they do not necessarily prevent you from seeking compensation. If the company was grossly negligent—such as using defective equipment, failing to maintain safety standards, or employing untrained staff—you may still have a valid claim despite signing a waiver.

Filing a Personal Injury Claim for a Ziplining Accident

If you believe negligence played a role in your injury, you may be eligible to file a personal injury lawsuit. Here’s how the process typically works:

1. Consult an Attorney at Morgan & Morgan

A personal injury lawyer with experience in adventure sports accidents can help assess your case and determine the best course of action.

2. Investigate the Incident

Your attorney will gather evidence, including medical records, witness statements, and inspection reports of the ziplining facility to build a strong case.

3. Establish Negligence

To win a personal injury claim, you must prove that the ziplining facility, equipment manufacturer, or another party acted negligently and that this negligence directly caused your injuries.

4. Calculate Damages

Damages in a ziplining injury case may include medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, rehabilitation costs, and, in severe cases, long-term disability compensation.

5. Negotiate a Settlement or Go to Trial

Many personal injury cases are settled outside of court. However, if a fair settlement cannot be reached, your attorney may take the case to trial to fight for the compensation you deserve.

Preventing Ziplining Accidents

While you cannot always control external factors, you can take precautions to minimize the risk of ziplining injuries:

• Choose a reputable ziplining facility with proper safety certifications and trained staff.
• Inspect your equipment before use and ask questions about safety procedures.
• Wear appropriate gear, including helmets and gloves.
• Follow all instructions from the zipline operators and avoid risky behaviors.
• Listen carefully to safety briefings and ask for clarification if something is unclear.

Morgan & Morgan Can Help

Ziplining should be a thrilling yet safe experience. However, when negligence leads to injury, you have the right to seek compensation. 

If you or a loved one has been hurt in a ziplining accident, contacting a qualified personal injury attorney can help you navigate the legal process and secure the justice you deserve. At Morgan & Morgan, our experienced legal team is ready to fight for you. Contact us today for a free case evaluation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have a personal injury case after a zipline accident?

You may have a case if the zipline operator negligently caused your accident and injury. However, suing a zipline operator can involve complex legal issues. Moreover, you could have other defendants in your lawsuit, including negligent employees, manufacturers of defective zipline equipment, or companies maintaining the equipment, among others.
To determine whether you have a case and could recover compensation, consider scheduling a free consultation and get advice from our legal team members. We can help you navigate the legal process if you get hurt in a zipline accident. 

Is there a time limit for filing a zipline injury lawsuit?

Generally, victims cannot file personal injury lawsuits after the statute of limitations in their state has expired. Depending on your state, the deadline for filing a suit could be as short as one year or as long as four years or more. Time usually starts ticking on the date of your zipline accident and injury. While you may not want to file a lawsuit right away after getting hurt, consider speaking to an attorney at Morgan & Morgan who can advise you of the best timing for your lawsuit. 

How can a personal injury lawyer help me? 

If you are injured in a zipline accident or a loved one has lost their life, a personal injury lawyer can guide you through the next steps. This can include filing an insurance claim or a lawsuit to recover damages. Our attorneys can protect your rights and assess what damages you could recover. Since you may have to stand up against a powerful insurance company or zipline operator, excellent legal representation can be essential to fight for what you deserve. 
 

Our personal injury lawyers can help you with all legal aspects of your zipline accident case, such as:

• Help you receive adequate medical treatment
• Provide legal guidance
• Gather evidence proving negligence
• Collect and organize proof of your damages
• Determining all liable parties in your zipline accident
• Providing expert witnesses to testify on your behalf
• Negotiate an out-of-court settlement
• Taking your case to trial if necessary

Morgan & Morgan never settles for less. When we take your case, you can rest assured that we will fight vigorously for what you need to put your life back together. Our attorneys have, to date, recovered more than $25 billion for clients nationwide. We could help you get compensated for your injuries too.

How much does a zipline accident lawyer cost?

Morgan & Morgan wants everyone to have access to the best legal representation—regardless of their bank account. That’s why at Morgan & Morgan, the Fee Is Free®, and you only pay if we win. We want you to get the compensation you need and deserve without worrying about upfront fees and expenses. When we handle your case, you pay nothing until and unless we get a successful verdict or settlement. 

We understand that dealing with the aftermath of a zipline accident can feel overwhelming, especially if you or a loved one suffered significant injuries. However, you do not have to go through this challenging time in your life on your own. Morgan & Morgan’s personal injury lawyers have been helping people like you receive the compensation they deserve for over three decades. If you don’t know what to do if hurt from ziplining, do not hesitate to get in touch with Morgan & Morgan. Contact us today for a free case evaluation to determine your legal options for recovering justice and compensation.