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Theme Park Accident Claims Guide

By Marlon Cooke. Last Updated 22nd October 2024. Theme parks are highly popular leisure destinations for many people. However, fast moving rides, uneven surfaces, and inadequate safety procedures can all contribute to a risk of injury. That’s why we have made this guide to theme park accident claims.

You will find information on important areas of the personal injury claims process including, eligibility, gathering evidence, the most common types of theme park accidents, and how compensation in public liability claims is calculated under the two relevant heads of loss.

Our final section is concerned with the No Win No Fee contract offered by our solicitors, and how potential claimants can benefit when choosing to work with our solicitors under such an agreement.

You can find out more about making a personal injury claim against a theme park by talking to our advisors. Our team can assess your potential claim’s validity free of charge at any time of day. Contact an advisor today using any of the contact information given here:

A rollercoaster in a theme park.

Select a Section:

Who Can Make Theme Park Accident Claims?

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

  1. The accident was caused by the negligence or error of someone else.
  2. The accident happened within the past three years.
  3. You suffered some form of physical or mental injury.

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.

Who is Responsible For Theme Park Accidents?

The primary responsibility to ensure that a theme park is made practically safe will fall on the party that is in charge of the theme park. However, there are individual services and businesses that can operate within a theme park. The parties in charge of these services will also face a similar responsibility to ensure the relative safety of any area they oversee, or service they provide.

Under the Occupiers’ Liability Act 1957 these parties will owe a common duty of care to all visitors and users of their premises. This is a responsibility to ensure their health and safety as best as they practically can. If this is not done, they may be held liable for injuries caused by an unsafe environment or service.

If you have suffered an injury in a theme park, you can reach out to one of our advisers for more information about who could be held liable for your injuries. They can also provide you with information about claims for serious theme park accidents in the UK, or theme park deaths and fatal accident claims.

How Much Compensation Is Awarded For Theme Park Accident Claims?

You might be wondering how much compensation you could get for theme park accidents in the UK. As we’ve already mentioned, being injured alone isn’t enough to make a theme park accident claim; you also need to be able to prove that your injuries were caused by the negligent actions of the theme park.

If you successfully make a claim, you’ll receive general damages. This is one of two potential heads of compensation, and this heading covers your physical injuries as well as the mental effects caused by your accident.

The Judicial College Guidelines (JCG) is often used to help calculate compensation under this heading for claims made in England and Wales. This is because it contains guideline compensation amounts, some examples of which you can find below.

Please keep in mind that the first entry hasn’t been taken from the JCG, and that these figures are only guidelines.

InjuryCompensation Guideline
Multiple Severe Injuries And Special DamagesUp to £500,000+
Loss Of Both Legs £293,850 to £344,150
Loss Of One Arm At ShoulderNot less than £167,380
Moderate Brain Damage (c) (i)£183,190 to £267,340
Severe Neck Injuries (a) (i)In the region of £181,020
Moderate Neck Injuries (b) (i)£30,500 to £46,970
Severe Psychiatric Damage (a) £66,920 to £141,240
Severe Back Injuries (a) (iii)£47,320 to £85,100
Moderate Injuries To The Pelvis And Hips (i)£32,450 to £47,810
Serious Shoulder Injuries (b)£15,580 to £23,430

You could also be eligible for special damages. This is the second head of compensation, and not all successful claimants will receive it. The reason for this is that it covers the financial losses you experience because of your injuries.

For example, these might include the cost of:

  • Lost earnings and future lost earnings
  • Childcare
  • Prosthetics and mobility aids
  • Professional nursing care
  • Private medical treatment and prescriptions
  • Help with cooking and cleaning

To get more information on the kinds of losses and harm you could receive compensation for if your claim succeeds, contact our team today. Alternatively, you can read on to learn more about claims for roller coaster accidents and theme park injuries.

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

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.

What Kind of Evidence Do You Need to Claim For Theme Park Accidents In The UK?

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.

Why Choose Us For Your Theme Park Accident Claims Service?

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.

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.

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.

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