Study examines amusement ride injuries among children

May 09, 2013

During the months of May through September, more than 20 children per day are treated in U.S. hospital emergency rooms for injuries sustained on rides at amusement parks, fairs, malls, arcades and other locations, according to a recent study.

The study, conducted by researchers at the Center for Injury Research and Policy, affiliated with the Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, involved an analysis of the ride-related injuries of 92,885 U.S. children age 17 and under between the years 1990 and 2000. These figures represent an average of 4,423 ride-related child injuries per year that are serious enough to result in a visit to the emergency room.

Common amusement ride injuries

According to the study, which was published online in the medical journal Pediatrics on May 1, 2013, children's amusement ride injuries most often involve injuries to the following regions of the body:
- Head and neck (28 percent)
- Arms (24 percent)
- Face (18 percent)
- Legs (17 percent)

The most common types of ride-related injuries sustained by children include:
- Whiplash and other soft tissue injuries (29 percent)
- Sprains and strains (21 percent)
- Cuts (20 percent)
- Broken bones (10 percent)

Most amusement ride injuries occur as a result of falls (32 percent) or hitting a body part against the ride (21 percent). More than two-thirds of all ride-related injuries occur during the warm-weather summer months, according to the study.

Mall rides pose unique risks

Researchers found that children who are injured by "mall rides" often suffer different injuries than those harmed by rides at fairs, amusement parks and other locations. For instance, the study revealed, children are more likely to suffer head injuries and concussions in connection to mall rides than other types of rides. In addition, nearly three-fourths of mall ride injuries occurred as a result of a fall from, in, on or against the ride.

In some cases, the placement and maintenance of mall rides may contribute to the risk of injuries, according to the report. For example, a ride may be placed on a hard surface or may be lacking safety restraints, thereby increasing the likelihood that a child may fall and become injured.

Injury compensation in Nevada

In Nevada, the law provides that malls and other commercial property owners have a responsibility to protect children and other visitors from an unreasonable risk of injury. When someone becomes injured at a mall or other property in Nevada as a result of the owner's failure to keep the property safe, the injured person may be entitled to receive compensation for their medical bills, lost wages and other losses resulting from the injury.

If you or a loved one has been hurt in an accident in Nevada, discuss your situation with a personal injury lawyer to learn more about the possibility of seeking compensation through the legal system.

Article provided by Harris & Harris Lawyers
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