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Minnesota Amusement Park Injury Lawyers Fighting for You

Hurt at an Amusement Park in Minnesota? We Help Victims of Ride Accidents Get Justice and Compensation

Minnesota is home to popular amusement parks, including Valleyfair, Paul Bunyan Land, Como Town Amusement Park, and The Mall of America’s Nickelodeon Universe. These attractions are meant to offer safe fun for the state’s families and visitors—but accidents do happen. From roller coasters to drop rides and water slides, when something goes wrong, the consequences can be tragic. At Bradshaw & Bryant, PLLC our dedicated personal injury attorneys seek justice for those injured in Minnesota amusement park accidents. Contact us today if you, your child, or another loved one suffered injuries at a Minnesota amusement park.

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How can we help you?

Why choose Bradshaw & Bryant for your amusement park injury case?

Bradshaw & Bryant has decades of experience in personal injury law in Minnesota. Our dedicated, compassionate lawyers give each case personal attention from start to finish. We’re here to help you and your loved ones recover compensation from injuries caused by amusement park negligence. Our lawyers have helped many personal injury victims and families obtain strong recoveries. Remember, our attorneys do not recover fees unless your claim is successful.

Common causes of amusement park injuries in Minnesota

While amusement parks may have safety standards and procedures, there are some ways that things may go wrong. Some common causes of amusement park accidents include:

  • Rides suffer a mechanical failure
  • Poor maintenance that leads to breakdowns
  • Ride operators who are distracted, untrained, or otherwise negligent
  • Inadequate safety restraints
  • Electrical or software malfunctions
  • Unclear signage or safety instructions
  • Slip and fall hazards on walkways or platforms
  • Poorly designed or manufactured attractions and rides
  • Inadequate or negligent crowd control and supervision

It’s not just large amusement parks that have accidents. Traveling carnivals and fairs in Minnesota, such as the Minnesota State Fair, may have looser oversight than more permanent and established theme parks.

Injuries that result from Minnesota amusement park accidents

Amusement park injuries can range from minor to deadly. These injuries can happen unexpectedly, and some lead to years of required treatment, rehab, and more. Some of the serious injuries we’ve seen include:

Remember that adrenaline can mask the symptoms of some severe injuries. You may not realize the extent of harm you suffered right away. It’s best to seek medical attention and legal advice as soon as possible. Delaying treatment can put you at risk, and it can also open the door for defense attorneys to question the severity or cause of your injuries.

Where do amusement park injuries happen in Minnesota?

Amusement park injuries in Minnesota can happen anywhere that people visit to go on rides. There have been widely publicized injuries at some of the state’s parks.

  • Valleyfair (Shakopee): Multiple people suffered injuries when a car on one of Valleyfair’s rides derailed.
  • Nickelodeon Universe (Mall of America, Bloomington): A worker suffered injuries in an incident with a zipline. The park also stopped use of one of their rides after someone died on a similar one at an attraction in Ohio.
  • State Fairs and Carnivals: A ride at the Minnesota State Fair, for example, malfunctioned more than once in recent years, leaving people stranded far up in the air.

Rides at amusement parks require regular maintenance and inspection. Without proper care and attention, they can become extremely dangerous. When something goes wrong, those injured need to be able to hold the responsible parties liable for their negligence.

Who can be held liable?

Liability for injuries at Minnesota amusement parks may fall on one or more of several parties. Some of the possible defendants include:

  • Park owners or operators
  • Ride manufacturers (under product liability laws)
  • Maintenance contractors
  • Ride attendants or supervisors
  • Event organizers (in the case of traveling fairs)

In many cases, the liable party will not be immediately obvious. It may take time to determine whether the issue was caused by poor maintenance, the manufacturer, or the operator, for instance. Your Minnesota amusement park lawyer can help you investigate to determine possible fault. More than one party may also be responsible for the accident and resulting injuries, meaning there may be multiple defendants.

Generally, the US Consumer Product Safety Commission regulates mobile rides (rides that can move from one location to another). Generally, Minnesota regulates fixed rides.

What if I’m partly liable for my amusement park injuries?

Sometimes, the injured person might have played a role in the accident that caused their injuries. Perhaps they didn’t connect a seatbelt tightly enough, or weren’t focused when getting onto a ride. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean they are entirely liable. Fortunately, in Minnesota, you can still recover damages even if you are partly to blame for your injuries, as long as you are not more at fault than the other party or parties. The court will reduce your damages based on your share of liability. In practice, this would mean that if you suffered $100,000 in damages, but you were 10% at fault for your injuries, your recovery would be limited to $90,000.

Types of legal claims in amusement park injury lawsuits

The type of legal claim that results from an amusement park accident can vary. Some possible legal theories that our Minnesota amusement park injury lawyers assert include:

  • Negligence: These are the most common legal claims—and they are based on failure to ensure a reasonably safe environment. Car accident cases are also based on the legal theory of negligence.
  • Product liability: If the injury resulted from a defective ride or safety mechanism, you might need to file a product liability claim. This can alter the factors you must prove to succeed in your case.
  • Premises liability: Slips, falls, or other non-ride-related injuries due to dangerous conditions like wet floors or uneven stairs fall into this category.
  • Wrongful death: When injuries result in the tragic loss of life, certain family members can file this type of claim.

Each of these cases will require different evidence and legal strategies. At Bradshaw & Bryant, we can help you sort through the facts and fight for the compensation you need.

How a Minnesota amusement park injury lawyer can help

Hiring a Minnesota amusement park injury attorney can help you pursue damages that can allow you and your family to move on after severe injuries. Some of the tasks your attorney will perform include:

  • Conducting a full investigation of the accident, its cause, and possible liable parties
  • Collecting and preserving evidence to support your case
  • Working with ride safety experts and accident reconstruction professionals to build the strongest case possible
  • Identifying responsible parties and holding them accountable
  • Handling insurance negotiations and procedural elements like court filings
  • Arguing your case before a judge and jury

An experienced attorney will work to maximize your compensation, which means recovering money to cover your losses, including your:

  • Medical bills
  • Lost wages and future earning capacity
  • Pain and suffering
  • Permanent disability
  • Emotional distress

We also represent children and minors who suffer injuries at amusement parks.

At Bradshaw & Bryant, we file wrongful death claims on behalf of families if a loved one tragically dies in an amusement park accident.

What to do after an amusement park accident

If you or a family member sustained injuries at an amusement park, you need to know what to do next to protect yourself. Here are a few steps to take after a ride accident:

  • Report the injury immediately to the park staff
  • Seek medical attention right away—even if injuries seem minor or symptoms are delayed
  • Document everything by taking photos of the ride, injuries, and surroundings (if possible)
  • Collect witness info, including names and contact information
  • Do not give a recorded statement to the amusement park or its insurers without legal counsel
  • Call Bradshaw & Bryant PLLC to protect your rights and begin building your case

Don’t be fooled by waivers and fine print

You might wonder whether the amusement park liability waiver you signed in Minnesota will prevent your claim. Sometimes, the waiver is even on the ticket, which might mean you didn’t sign anything. It’s important to understand that these don’t always hold up in court. Speak to our amusement park injury lawyers and discuss how such liability shields may or may not create complications in your situation.

Do you have an amusement park injury lawyer near me?

Yes. Bradshaw & Bryant proudly represents clients throughout Minnesota, including from our office located at 1505 Division St, Waite Park, MN 56387. If your injuries prevent you from visiting us, we can make alternative arrangements to come to you or schedule a virtual consultation.

Contact our Minnesota amusement park injury attorneys for a free consultation

When it comes to an amusement park accident, time is critical. Evidence disappears, and witness memories soon fade. Call us today or fill out our contact form to schedule a free consultation with one of our amusement park injury lawyers.