Drop Towers Injury

For some people, drop towers are among the most exciting rides at an amusement park. Unfortunately for others, it's a source of terrible memories and inexplicable pain. This is especially true if they suffered drop tower injuries or lost a loved one on these rides. For such people, while financial compensation may not be enough to erase the horrible memories, it could help cover certain financial obligations that usually arise in the aftermath of such incidents. 

To find out whether you or a loved one may be entitled to compensation after a drop tower injury, fill out our free case evaluation form today. 

Common Drop Tower Injuries To Know 

The rapid drop, coupled with the sudden halt at the bottom of the fall, is the perfect combination for a whiplash injury. When that happens, you'll likely experience strains in the muscles, tendons, and ligaments in your neck, resulting in pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility.

The intense G-forces experienced when the tower drops can also pile pressure on your spine. This forceful compression has been blamed for various back injuries, such as herniated discs, vertebral fractures, or sprains. As a result, individuals with such back problems are usually in severe pain, have limited movement, and are at a higher risk of nerve damage.

Your head is not safe either; if it hits the restraint or any part of the ride during the raid movements of the ride, you may suffer from head trauma. We've handled cases where individuals have suffered severe traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) and other similar brain-related complications from such injuries. 

The high-velocity impact that's usually experienced when the ride lands can hurt your limbs and joints. This could lead to fractures in your arms, legs, or pelvis and sprained or torn ligaments.

For one reason or another, if you collide forcefully with the ride's restraints or other passengers, you may suffer contusions, deep bruising, and soft tissue injuries. 

Some riders have also been diagnosed with severe post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety disorders, depression, or phobias related to amusement park rides.

The tragic story of the teen who fell to his death from a thrill ride in Orlando is a sad reminder of just how serious these accidents can be. According to the autopsy report, he suffered serious injuries, including a broken skull, ribs, and legs. 

What to Do After a Drop Tower Injury

We understand that a drop tower injury can leave you confused, if not unconscious, not knowing what to do. If you're lucky enough to still have consciousness after such an incident, seeking medical assistance should be at the very top of your list.

Ensure the amusement park staff knows about the incident. Usually, they'll write an accident report documenting everything that happened. At the same time, call emergency services (911) and request an ambulance and a police offer at the scene. 

Since amusement parks are considered high-risk areas for injuries, you'll likely have an ambulance and a police officer in the vicinity. Once they respond to the accident and attend to your injuries, ensure you receive a copy of the police report immediately.

If, for any reason, you cannot obtain the police report, probably because you were hospitalized, no worries, focus only on your injuries and recovery. One thing to note, though: don't ignore the importance of seeking a medical examination even if you feel fine at that particular moment. Some amusement park injuries may not immediately manifest symptoms, and you don't want to rule yourself out of possible compensation simply because you misjudged your injuries.

Next, and only if possible, take photos or videos of the ride, any dangerous conditions, visible injuries, and the surrounding area. Finally, if you've suffered serious injuries, contact an amusement park injury attorney for a case evaluation. 

What Not to Do After a Drop Tower Injury

In most cases, people tend to pay so much attention to the things to do after such injuries. At Morgan and Morgan, we believe that knowing what not to do in such situations is equally important. This is because starting from the moment you or a loved one gets injured, whatever you (or they) do will impact the case in one way or another. 

Do not admit fault or accept blame for the accident, a common mistake many people make when their emotions are running high. This rule applies even in situations where you believe you might have played a role in the incident in some way. Admitting fault can seriously hurt your chances of pursuing compensation when you file a claim. 

Watch out for any document presented to you by the amusement park staff after the incident requiring your signature. Whether it's an incident report, waiver, or settlement agreement, don't sign anything without consulting a personal injury attorney. Your signature could be all it takes to free the other party from liability. 

Only your doctor and attorney need to know about your injuries in detail. If you share sensitive medical information with individuals outside of this circle, such as amusement park staff, insurers, or other parties involved, they may use that against you to dispute your claim. 

Be honest about the extent of your injuries during the initial assessment with your healthcare provider and attorney, but don't exaggerate anything. Any inconsistencies or misrepresentations in your injury report could raise serious questions about your credibility and potentially harm your case.

Lastly, we understand that we live in the digital age, and you may be tempted to update your friends or family on social media about the injuries. Avoid that at all costs. That's because the other party will likely monitor your every move, including your social media activities, to find reasons to downplay your injuries and avoid responsibility. 

How an Amusement Park Injury Attorney Can Help After a Drop Tower Injury

We've mentioned the importance of contacting an attorney for a case evaluation. Now it's time to discuss exactly how this lawyer may be able to help. Although we acknowledge that each case is unique, generally, an amusement park lawyer may be able to help in the following ways: 

The first thing the lawyer will do is examine the circumstances surrounding the accident. This basically means gathering the facts about the incident to have a better understanding of how best to approach the case. 

Then, they'll want to establish liability. To do this, they will investigate the accident, gather evidence such as medical and police reports, interview witnesses to get their version of events, and consult experts whenever necessary. 

A seasoned amusement park lawyer will also assess the full extent of your damages. Read on to learn more about the kind of damages you may be able to recover in such a case. 

Developing a legal strategy tailored to the particularities of your case is critical. For instance, you need to know when to file a claim, where to file, and how to argue your case. These are just some of the ins and outs of drop tower injury cases a skilled attorney can help you navigate.

With a strategy in hand, the lawyer will file a formal claim on your behalf. They will also ensure you have all the necessary documentation and that your case meets all other legal requirements to be eligible for compensation. 

The parties involved in the case will likely attempt to reach a settlement before proceeding to trial. However, note that this only works if you have a competent lawyer and a solid case; anything less than that could encourage the other party to dispute your claim or even dare you to proceed to court. 

But if the other party isn't willing to settle, your attorney will guide you through the process of filing a lawsuit. Again, they will ensure everything is in order, from legal documents to your preparedness to face the judge or jury.

Damages Available to Victims of Drop Tower Injuries

Each case is unique, and that also applies to recoverable damages. That notwithstanding, most cases share some common damages, including but not limited to the following: 

• Medical expenses, such as hospital bills, surgeries, doctor visits, medication, medical equipment, physical therapy, rehabilitation, etc.
• Lost wages, both current and future. 
• Physical discomfort (pain and suffering), emotional trauma, anxiety, depression, and loss of enjoyment of life. 
• Reduced quality of life, especially in accidents that lead to reduced mobility, loss of limb function, chronic pain, diminished cognitive abilities, or any other lasting effects that affect your daily activities.
• Punitive damages, if the other party was particularly reckless or negligent leading up to the injury. 

Because each case is different, we highly recommend contacting Morgan and Morgan for a case evaluation. That's the best way to find out the exact damages you may be able to recover.

Common Challenges You May Encounter In a Drop Tower Accident Case 

Contrary to popular belief, a valid amusement park injury case does not usually guarantee the recovery of applicable damages. You need a skilled lawyer to navigate the complexity of such cases, particularly the barriers to recovery, to even have a chance of obtaining a favorable outcome. 

Amusement parks know that their businesses are prone to lawsuits due to the different kinds of injuries that could occur while operating these rides. That's one of the reasons they require visitors to sign waivers or release of liability forms before participating in rides. However, when you sign such waivers, you unintentionally limit your right to seek compensation for any injuries you suffer. 

Secondly, most of these amusement parks lack comprehensive federal oversight. In other words, when it comes to safety standards, inspections, and regulations, the laws of that particular jurisdiction will come into play. The varying laws make it even more challenging to determine liability and establish negligence because there are no standard rules to follow. 

The issue of comparative negligence will also influence your ability to recover damages in a drop tower accident case. In some states, such as Alabama, Maryland, and North Carolina, you can only recover damages if you did not contribute to the accident in any way. So, even if you were one percent at fault for the accident, that would automatically disqualify you from receiving compensation in such jurisdictions. 

In other states, such as New York, New Mexico, and Washington, you may still be able to recover damages, but your recovery will be reduced by your share of fault for the accident. Because these laws give insurance companies a lifeline as far as fighting claims is concerned, they will do everything to ensure you recover the lowest amount possible or nothing at all.