What Should I Do After a Water Park Injury in NY?

Water park injuries can have devastating and permanent consequences. If you or a family member suffered an injury at a NY water park, you could be entitled to damages such as medical bills, wage losses, pain and suffering, and others. However, getting your due could be tricky as you might be up against a powerful corporation, its lawyers, and insurance companies. 

Knowing what to do after suffering a water park injury in NY can be vital for recovering a fair settlement. Our compassionate and experienced lawyers at Morgan & Morgan can protect your rights and fight for what you deserve. Contact us today and find out for free if you have a case.

Water Park Accidents in NY

Water parks provide a relaxing and fun time for children and adults alike, especially during the hot New York summer months. However, water parks are also highly competitive businesses. In the bid to attract as many visitors as possible, parks try to outpace each other by installing the tallest or scariest water slide. Water parks may then be forced to cut corners elsewhere, such as with safety, maintenance, or staff. 

According to the National Safety Council (NSC), approximately ten people die every day due to drowning in the US. Many victims are young children. Small children can drown in a matter of seconds. Near-drowning, slips and falls, and defective equipment can all result in horrific injuries at water parks.

Although lifeguards are generally present at parks, they could be distracted, overwhelmed by crowding, or lack the necessary qualifications to assist in emergency situations. 

The Most Common Water Park Injuries

Water, slippery surfaces, and overcrowding can all contribute to accidents at water parks. While injuries may be little more than a scrape or bruise, some individuals can suffer serious, permanent, and disabling injuries at water parks. Common accidents and injuries include:

Slip and Falls

The wet and slippery surfaces at water parks provide the perfect environment for slips and falls. Water parks with high water slides and stairs can also cause deadly falling accidents. Since the surfaces at water parks are generally concrete, falls can have tragic consequences and cause deaths or irreversible injuries such as spinal cord damage.  

Drowning

Drowning is a major concern at water parks, particularly with small children who cannot swim and could suddenly find themselves in deeper water. In crowded swimming areas and wave pools, children and adults could get knocked down and drown or experience a near-drowning event. Near-drowning can be extremely serious and, in some cases, cause permanent brain damage due to a prolonged lack of oxygen.

Back and Neck Injuries

Back and neck injuries can occur when sliding down the water slide or by hitting the bottom of the pool with the tailbone. An individual could suffer from neck strains, whiplash, back injuries and, in severe cases, spinal injuries. 

Concussions

Diving head-first into the shallow end of a pool or slipping and falling can potentially cause concussions. A mild concussion can generally heal on its own with rest and time. However, a severe concussion can cause long-term problems such as recurring headaches, nausea, insomnia, and others. 

Lacerations

Cuts and scrapes are commonplace injuries at water parks and can happen on the slides as well as in the pool. Lacerations can potentially lead to infections. Deep cuts could also cause permanent scarring. 

Water park injuries can be physically, psychologically, and financially devastating to victims and cause long-term suffering. If you or a loved one got hurt at a water park, you could have a case and get compensation. The dedicated personal injury lawyers at Morgan & Morgan can assess your accident and advise you on your legal options.

Causes of Water Park Accidents

If your water park accident and injury happened due to no fault of your own, you could have legal recourse. Common causes of water park accidents due to negligence can include: 

• There were not enough lifeguards on duty
• Lifeguards were inadequately trained or qualified
• The equipment and pools were overcrowded
• There were no warnings about hazards
• Lifeguards made an error
• Staff failed to enforce weight and height regulations for slides and rides
• Generally poor maintenance of the premises 
• Poor maintenance and lack of servicing of slides and rides 

There can be many other reasons for water park accidents. However, if the reason why you suffered an injury was due to the water park’s negligence, they are generally responsible for your injuries and financial losses. A personal injury lawyer at Morgan & Morgan can determine whether you have a case.

Your Best Next Steps After a Water Park Injury in NY

If you or a family member suffered a water park injury, there are some steps you can take to protect your legal rights. 

Report the Accident Immediately

Reporting your water park accident to a member of staff as soon as possible can be crucial. A report establishes a record of your accident and any details such as time, day, and injuries suffered, which can be essential proof of your damages. Without a report, the water park could allege that the accident never happened. 

Gather Evidence and Document the Facts of the Accident

If you can, begin to document the accident scene and injuries immediately. You or a family member should take photographs of the slide, ride, or the area where your accident happened. If anyone saw your accident, make sure to get their contact details as they could give eyewitness statements. You should note down how your accident happened, which will help with remembering the details later on.

Evidence of the accident and injuries will be essential if you intend to file an insurance claim or lawsuit against the negligent party. 

Get a Comprehensive Medical Evaluation

Seeking medical advice promptly after suffering an injury at a water park can be vital. You may feel fine immediately after the accident. However, symptoms could show up in the following days or weeks, potentially pointing to a serious injury such as a traumatic brain injury (TBI). 

Moreover, getting a medical report right away after your accident will ensure that you have documentation of your injuries. If you delay a doctor’s visit, it can be more difficult to argue that your injuries occurred at the water park. The at-fault party and their attorney will likely argue that your injuries are either minor or stem from another incident if you did not seek medical advice right away. 

Do Not Discuss the Accident with Anyone

Knowing what not to do after suffering a water park injury in NY can be just as important as knowing what to do. It can be in your best interests not to talk to anyone except your attorney about the accident. Water park management or their insurance company may try to contact you after the accident. Let an attorney handle all communication as whatever you say or do could potentially be used to minimize or deny a claim. 

Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer

Most personal injury attorneys offer free consultations where they determine whether you have a case and what your best next steps will be. Having an attorney in your corner can give you peace of mind and help with navigating complex legal issues. 

It is important to note that according to the “pure comparative negligence rule” in New York law, the victim could be liable for damages if they share some fault in the accident. 

Therefore, compensation could be reduced by the amount equal to your percentage of fault. While you could still pursue damages if another party is responsible for your accident, your case can get complicated if you share some fault. An experienced personal injury lawyer from our firm can protect your rights and fight for a fair settlement. 

Compensation for Water Park Injuries 

If you suffered a water park injury in NY, you could be entitled to various damages such as: 

• Hospital bills and other medical expenses
• Future medical costs related to the water park injury
• Emotional and physical pain and suffering
• Lost wages and future lost wages
• Loss of life enjoyment

Depending on your specific water park accident and injuries, you could also receive other types of damages. An injury lawyer can assess your damages and give you an indication as to the worth of your case.