San Francisco Injury Lawyer Blog
Everyone enjoys the annual county fairs or pop-up circuses that occasionally head into town. No matter your age, there is something to enjoy. Children and teenagers, in particular, look forward to the rides. Miniature roller coasters offer a little fun without amusement park prices. However, what happens when the rides are not as safe as they should be and someone is injured or killed? That is a question families in Ohio are now facing after one adolescent was killed and others were injured at the Ohio State Fair.
If you were injured on a broken fair ride or lost a loved one in a tragic accident, do not hesitate to seek out objective and experienced legal advice from a California personal injury lawyer at Brod Law Firm. We will thoroughly investigate the situation to determine your legal rights and options.
High School Student Dies at Ohio State Fair
In late July, a carriage on the Fire Ball ride at the Ohio State Fair detached from the ride and flew into the air. Tyler Jarrell, 18, died in the incident. His girlfriend, Keziah Lewis, 19, was critically injured. Six other fair goers between the ages of 14 and 42 were also injured.
Authorities have stated the ride operators were not to blame and the manufacturer, KMG, has cited “excessive corrosion” as the cause for the accident. The excessive corrosion was located on the interior of the 18-year-old support beam, which reduced the beam’s wall thickness.
Despite the dangerous corrosion, the ride had passed inspection multiple times in the days and weeks before the accident. Chief Ride Inspector of Ohio’s Division of Amusement Ride Safety stated the ride was looked over up to four times in the course of two days before it broke. He also stated KMG is collaborating with industry safety experts to improve inspection protocols and better prevent future accidents like this.
Who is Responsible?
If you are injured when a fair ride breaks or you tragically lost a parent, spouse, or child in a similar incident, contact a personal injury or wrongful death attorney as soon as possible. Numerous individuals may be responsible for the accident depending on the circumstances, including:
- The ride’s manufacturer’
- The ride’s assembler or distributor
- The ride’s maintenance providers
- A fair vendor that provides the rides
- The fair owners or organizers
Recovering Compensation for Injuries or Death
In most circumstances following a fair ride-related injury or death, there will be a relevant insurance policy. Fair and amusement park owners and vendors will have insurance policies that cover bodily injuries and death. If you were injured or you lost a family member when a ride broke or malfunctioned, call us today. We will investigate the situation, determine who is likely to be at fault, and move forward with an appropriate insurance claim. If we are able to negotiate an acceptable settlement for you, then you will receive compensation in exchange for a resolution of your legal claim. However, if an insurance settlement is not possible, we will advise you on your options for filing a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit.
Contact a San Francisco Personal Injury Lawyer for Help
If you are dealing with injuries after an accident at the fair that was another individual or business’s fault, contact us at Brod Law Firm at (800) 427-7020. We understand it can be devastating to face injuries after trying to have a fun day at a fair or amusement park. We will help you pursue the compensation you deserve under the law.
(image courtesy of Ethan Hoover)