Can You Claim Compensation For An Accident At A Theme Park? – View our online guide to Theme Park Accidents In The UK

By Jo Jeffries. Last Updated 29th September 2022. Welcome to our guide on theme park accident compensation. This guide explains how to make a claim for an accident at a theme park or an accident at a fairground. We also explain what injuries could be sustained in theme park accidents in the UK, when you could claim for a ride accident at a funfair and answer questions such as ‘can you sue a theme park for whiplash or another funfair accident?’

Places such as fairgrounds, theme parks, and amusement parks can be wonderful places to visit and if everything goes well, and you follow park rules you and your friends, or family will have a good time. However, what happens if you are injured as a result of an accident that wasn’t your fault?

In this guide we will look at the risks inherent to theme parks, and how to make a claim for an accident at a theme park as either a visitor or as an employee. We also look at how theme park accident compensation is calculated. 

How Common Are Theme Park Accidents In The UK?

Whilst accidents at theme parks and similar places are rare, they can and do happen. Whether you’ve been injured by a faulty conveyor belt, on a raging river ride or rapids ride, or ferris wheel, or even while walking around the park, if it was the park’s fault, you could claim. Due to the nature of the rides and equipment in use, a theme park injury can have devastating consequences for the injured person.

Victims were able to sue the amusement park for compensation, and the operator, Merlin Entertainment, was later fined £5 million. Accidents and injuries such as these can be caused by mechanical failure or operator negligence.

Have you had a ride accident at a theme park?

If you have suffered an injury at a theme park you could be entitled to claim compensation for your injuries, and the effects it has had on your life.

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Accident at a theme park

After any major accident or injury, one of the last things on your mind is claiming compensation. However, doing so can give you the financial support you need at a potentially difficult time. This is where Accident Claims UK can help you. Whilst we can’t mitigate your injuries, by getting you the compensation you are entitled to, we can help to mitigate its effects, such as lost income or out of pocket costs.

Our team will be with you through the No Win No Fee claims process, from start to finish. We will make sure everything is explained in a straightforward way and that we remove the stress from you.

You can find out more in the rest of our guide below and when ready, call us on 0800 073 8801

Select a section:

A Guide To Claiming Compensation For An Accident At A Theme Park

If you have experienced an injury at a theme park that was not your fault, whether caused by the negligence of a person or the operator as a whole, you could be entitled to claim theme park accident compensation. Your claim can be made for your injuries, as well as any costs incurred as a result of them.

Theme park operators and staff must observe stringent health and safety legislation. This extends to those designing, building, and maintaining the equipment in use, and the premises as a whole. It should also be noted that a theme park accident could also include things such as burns in the restaurants, or slips, trips, and falls anywhere in the park. Our team can help you claim for a theme park injury to yourself, or a loved one.

What Is An Accident At A Theme Park?

Accidents at a theme park can come in all major shapes, sizes, types, and severities. You could have suffered a burn at a theme park restaurant, a slip, trip, or fall in the park in general, or serious injuries on a ride. However your accident happened or however severe the injuries suffered were, if they were caused by someone else’s negligence you could claim compensation.

To make a successful claim for theme park accidents in the UK, you need to bring your case within three years of the incident, and be able to clearly show someone else was at fault.

Fatal Theme Park Accident Videos

Please note, the video below contains information some may find distressing.

In this video from YouTube, we can see examples of deadly accidents and injuries which have happened on or because of theme park rides that were caught on video. Video evidence can be powerful in a claim but is not necessary.

Fatal Theme Park Accident Claims

As with any type of fatal accident, if a loved one has been miles in any type of accident at a theme park, then relatives or other eligible loved ones can claim compensation for their death.

You can make a bereavement compensation claim, for damages as well as the cost of your loved one’s funeral, any medical costs you or they had to pay, or other costs and damages incurred.

Can You Make Theme Park Accident Claims On Behalf Of A Child?

Do you need to make a No WIn No Fee theme park accident claim for an injury affecting your child, or a child you are responsible for? If so, Accident Claims UK can help.

A day out with children at a theme park should be a fun-filled activity, however, accidents can happen. If a child is injured at a theme park you some years in which to bring your claim on their behalf. For example, if you have an 11-year old boy who was injured, you could claim for him up until his 18th birthday.

Could I claim for theme park accidents in the UK now I’m an adult?

If you choose not to make the theme park accident compensation claim for them, after they turn eighteen, they then have three years in which to sue for amusement park injuries. If the boy died in a fatal accident, however, you could have 3 years from the accident date to claim.

Who Is Liable For Your Injuries Caused By A Theme Park Accident?

In the UK there are stringent health and safety laws and regulations which confer liability on various parties for the construction, maintenance, and operation of theme park equipment, machinery and premises. Breaches in these regulations could mean people are injured in an accident at a theme park.

Legal obligations of park owners and operators

The owners and operators of theme park machinery have a legal obligation to make sure all the rides, equipment, and areas of their park are safe for both employees, and members of the general public to use, ride on, or be in. If these obligations or guidelines have breached, the theme park operator or owner could be found to be negligent and held liable.

Anyone operating a theme park, amusement park, or similar premises needs to follow the legislation listed below.

If any of these regulations have been breached, the owner or operator could be found negligent and face a fine, as well as your theme park accident claim.

Injuries Commonly Sustained In A Theme Park Accident

A theme park accident can leave you with both physical and psychological injuries some of which could be with you for the long term. You may be able to claim for several of these at the same time in your claim. The personal injury claims solicitor which we can provide you with can help determine which you can include in your claim.

Injuries from theme park accidents in the UK

Common injuries which you could sustain on a ride and include in a theme park compensation claim include the following:

  • Amputation
  • Burn injuries.
  • Injuries to the back and spine.
  • Traumatic brain or other injuries to the head and neck.
  • Injuries to the chest or abdomen.
  • Fractures.
  • Cuts, lacerations, and bruises.

Check if you could be owed theme park accident compensation by getting in touch with our team.

Can You Make An Accident At A Theme Park Claim For Injuries On A Rollercoaster

his collision led to several riders suffering very serious injuries, such as a severed limb. This case serves to illustrate the degree of risk involved in the operation of such equipment, and how much care should be placed in running them.

You can claim for an amusement park accident involving a rollercoaster as long as you can clearly show that someone else was either negligent or was liable for your accident at a theme park.

Who Is Eligible To Make A Theme Park Ride Injury Compensation Claim

As with any type of personal injury claim, there are several categories of people who are eligible to make theme park ride accident claims. As long as you can satisfy the criteria below, you could be able to make a claim.

  1. You can show that someone else was at fault in your accident and that this was the cause of your injuries.
  2. That the accident or discovery of your injuries happened in the last three years.
  3. That you have a medical report detailing your injuries.
  4. That you are making a claim for yourself, or someone you are responsible for, such as a child.

You can also make a claim on behalf of a loved one who died as a result of their injuries.

Using evidence to support a theme park accident claim

Whether you’ve suffered minor injuries or a life-changing disability, you will need evidence to support your compensation claim. This will need to show a) that an accident took place, b) it was caused by negligence and c) it led to you being injured.

What to do after theme park accidents in the UK

While some of the evidence in your claim could come from investigations by bodies like the Health and Safety Executive, there are several things you could do at the time of your accident that could help. They include:

  • Reporting the accident. This is important because, by law, the theme park will need to record the incident in its accident report book. This will give you a record that confirms the location, date and time that the accident took place.
  • Taking photographs. Where possible, you should try and capture any faults or defects that caused the accident to occur before they are fixed or replaced. For example, if the seat belts on a log flume or boat ride were too loose to be effective, try to take a picture or video on your phone. Also, CCTV footage should be requested from the theme park.
  • Get details of witnesses. They could help corroborate what happened at a later date.
  • Seek medical attention. You should visit A&E or your GP if you are injured in a theme park accident. By doing so, medical records will be created that could help to confirm the level of your injuries and the treatment you received.

If you would like us to review your evidence from a theme park accident, please get in touch. Our service is free and you’re under no obligation to continue with claiming for theme park accidents in the UK with us.

What Are The UK’s Most Popular Amusement Parks?

The most popular theme and amusement parks in the UK include those listed below, as well as many others. If you have been injured in any of these, contact us today to make a theme park accident compensation claim.

  • Thorpe Park
  • Legoland Windsor
  • Chessington World Of Adventure
  • Drayton Manor
  • Blackpool Pleasure Beach
  • Paultons Park
  • Flamingo Island
  • Oakwood Theme Park
  • Adventure Island
  • Crealy Adventure Park
  • The Milky WayDreamland Margate

This list is by no means exhaustive and there are many other theme parks, amusement parks, and similar operators across the UK. If you have had theme park accidents in the UK of any type, contact our specialist team.

What Types Of Accidents Commonly Happen In Theme Parks?

Some of the most common types of accidents that happen at theme parks, and especially in rides include the following:

  • Inadequate safety for people on rides
  • Accidents and injuries involving games and other activities.
  • Fires and burns.
  • Failures in electrical systems.
  • Your carriage coming loose whilst in operation.
  • Carriages colliding on a ride.
  • Tracks that have not been maintained properly.
  • Various mechanical failures such as signalling problems or failures in hydraulic systems.
  • Breaking failures.

There are many other examples of theme park accidents that could result in a claim, so don’t worry if yours isn’t listed.

What Can I Include In An Amusement Park Accident Settlement?

At Accident Claims UK we will always go through the effects your accident and injury have already had on you, as well as their future long-term effects. We will then assess what the maximum amount of theme park accident compensation you could be awarded will be. We will also advise you on the different things which could be included in your theme park ride injury compensation claim. These may include the following, as well as other types of compensation.

General damage for an accident at a theme park in the UK

General damages compensation which is paid out and based on how much physical suffering and pain or post-traumatic stress you are experiencing as a result of your accident and injuries. This will be calculated on reports from an independent medical examination which can be organised for you.

The cost of this medical exam, as well as other medical costs and expenses, can be recovered as part of your claim. If you had to pay for emergency transport to a hospital, or emergency medical costs, or ongoing expenses, such as prescription medication, this can all be included in your claim. If you will need further treatment in the future, the costs of this can also be calculated and included in your claim.

Special damages for theme park accidents in the UK

As well as the types of theme park ride injury compensation outlined above, you can also claim compensation for any other costs you have faced as a result of your amusement park injury. Known as special damages, these can be recovered as well. If your accident led you to suffer PTSD and require ongoing counselling, you can claim for this. You can also claim for any income lost as a result of taking time off work.

Remember, keep receipts for any costs you have had to meet as these may be needed as evidence in your claim.

Theme Park And Amusement Park Accident Settlements

Finding out how much compensation you are owed through a personal injury claim compensation calculator can be difficult. How much you could be awarded for your theme park injuries or post-traumatic stress caused by it could vary.

Your theme park accident compensation claim will always be based on your individual physical or mental injuries, and as such, we can only give you an estimation of how much compensation you will be awarded. Each and every claim is always treated uniquely and so the figures presented below are representative of what people could be awarded for different injuries.

Compensation Payouts for Theme Park Accidents in the UK

These figures are supplied by the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG). They analyse previous payouts regarding general damages compensation to create compensation brackets. This can provide you with further insight about what you could receive. The below figures are from the latest guidelines that were published in April 2022.

You may want to know if these figures directly relate to theme park accidents in the UK. Please bear in mind that they relate to injuries in general. Furthermore, the below figures only give you an indication of potential compensation when claiming in England and Wales. If you’re claiming in Scotland and Northern Ireland, the claims process and the potential compensation amount could differ.

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Nature of injury Comments and notes Settlement
Amputation – two arm(s) Complete removal of two arms £240,790 to £300,000
Amputation – whole arm Complete loss/ removal of the arm at the shoulder. Not less than £137,160
Amputation – above the elbow Removal of the arm, not at the shoulder. £109,650 to £130,930
Amputation – below the elbow Removal of the arm, below the elbow. £96,160 to £109,650
Loss of two hand(s) Loss caused by surgical amputation or functional loss. £140,660 to £201,490
Hand injury – serious damage Complete loss of use of both hands. £55,820 to £84,570
Two feet amputated Loss/ removal of both of your fet £169,400 to £201,490
Single foot amputation Loss/ removal of one of your feet £83,960 to £109,650
Arm injury – severe (b) Severe injury impeading the use of the limb permanently. £39,170 to £59,860
All toes are amputated Removal of all the toes on a foot. £36,520 to £56,080
Big toe amputation Complete removal of the big toe In the region of £31,310

These figures do not relate to special damages because, if you’re able to claim for this successfully, the compensation amount would differ based on the losses you’ve experienced. Evidence you would need to claim for special damages includes receipts, bank statements and invoices.

To learn more about claiming for a theme park accident, please contact us for legal advice that is completely free using the details above.

No Win No Fee Theme Park Ride Injury Compensation Claims

One of the biggest historical reasons for people not taking legal action, such as suing an amusement park, has been the prohibitive cost of doing so. Even today, many people still worry about how much it will cost them to take legal action. With the advent of no win, no fee claims, this no longer needs to be the case. All of the solicitors which we can provide are able to offer their clients what are called conditional fee agreements.

How do No Win No Fee claims for theme park accidents in the UK work?

By using a personal injury solicitor or lawyer provided by us under such an agreement, you will not be assuming any financial risks. You won’t have to pay them anything to take on your case, or whilst they are working on it. You’ll only pay if you are given a compensation settlement for your accident at a theme park. If they can not get you this award, you will not have to make any payments to them. If they are successful, you will have your award to pay them from.

Talk to us about No Win No Fee claims for theme park accidents in the UK

Before you sign any agreements with them, your personal injury lawyer will talk you through the contract and fully explain how their success fees work, and how much you will pay if your claim is successful.

Accident Claims UK is happy to offer No Win No Fee services as it removes any financial barriers to making a claim which could have been preventing you from taking action.

How Accident Claims UK Can Help You Make A Claim For An Accident At A Theme Park

At Accident Claims UK we can help to advise you on how to sue a theme park for accidents or injuries to yourself, a loved one, or a child. We can also help you to claim compensation as a result of a fatal accident where a man or woman died due to negligence. At Accident Claims UK, we will always aim to place you and your needs at the heart of everything that our team does. We will also aim to maximise how much compensation we can secure for you, doing so as quickly as possible, and with as little stress to you as can be.

Free consultation for victims of theme park accidents in the UK

We will start by discussing the events with you and our advisors will ask questions that will help us to put your claim together. When we discuss your claim in a free consultation you will be under no obligation to make your claim with a solicitor provided by us. And, if you do choose Accident Claims UK, we could provide a solicitor to you under a no win, no fee agreement as outlined above.

Start Your Claim For An Accident At A Theme Park Today

Were you injured as a result of a theme park accident? Was someone else to blame for what happened to you? If so, our specialist team of advisors could help. Contact us today by calling 0800 073 8801, or by using the chat feature or button above to request a call back from a friendly agent. We are ready to help you start your no win, no fee personal injury claim for theme park accident compensation today.

Helpful Links And Further Advice After An Accident At A Theme Park

Pub Or Bar Accident Claims
Find out how to claim compensation for an accident which happened in a pub or bar.

Restaurant Accident Claims
A theme park may also contain restaurants run by a third party if so, find out how to make a claim against them in this guide.

Spinal Injury Claims
Find out when and how you could claim compensation for a spinal injury.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Traumatic incidents, such as an accident at a theme park could cause you to suffer PTSD. Learn more about claiming for this psychological injury.

Theme Park Accident Compensation Claims. –  FAQs After An Accident At A Theme Park

Can you sue an amusement park for a ride accident?

If you were injured in a theme park accident that was not your fault, you could have the right to make a personal injury claim. Each case is different and whether you can make a claim or who the claim will be made against depends upon the circumstances of your accident.

How will I know if my claim is valid?

Our team will be able to advise you on whether or not we think we could help you make a claim and if we could offer to handle your case on a No Win No Fee basis.

Can you sue a theme park for whiplash?

Whiplash may be caused by your head and neck being forcibly moved back and forward or side to side. The movement can damage the ligaments, tendons and muscles of the neck causing injuries that may last for a few weeks, months or even longer.

But could theme park rides specifically cause whiplash?

Whilst whiplash may be commonly associated with road traffic accidents, roller coasters and other theme park rides which cause rapid head and neck movement could cause whiplash. Such rides could cause an injury if the seat height, seatbelt or head support are not correctly adjusted. If you can show that the rides operator was negligent you could make a claim.

What are the two types of injury claims?

These are compensatory and punitive.

And what are the three types of damages?

Now, these are economic, non-economic and punitive.

What is the difference between damages and compensation?

Damages cover suffering itself, whereas compensation is for the value of the injury’s impact.

How are damages calculated for theme park accidents in the UK?

This is done by determining the severity and long-term effects of the injury alongside the circumstances of it.

I had an accident at a theme park in the UK while working there – could I claim?

If you have had a workplace accident while working in a theme park, and it happened due to your employer’s failure to protect your health and safety at work, you could claim compensation. Your employer has a duty of care to protect you from foreseeable risks at work, and they could do so in a number of different ways, such as:

  • Providing you with relevant training, such as manual handling training, for example
  • Giving you personal protective equipment and showing you how to use it to protect yourself while working
  • Getting rid of removable hazards and signposting those that cannot be removed

These are just a few examples. Whatever the reason for your accident at work, if your employer was to blame, you could be eligible for work injury compensation. You could claim anything from minor injuries to those for serious and life-changing injuries too. If you are the loved one of someone who has lost their life in a fatal workplace accident, you could also be eligible to claim.

How common are fatal workplace accidents

According to the HSE’s 2021/22 figures, there were 123 people that were fatally injured at work in 2021/22. You can see which industries these fatalities occurred in by viewing the statistics below. If you have lost a loved one to a fatal work accident that wasn’t their fault, we could talk to you about making a claim for compensation. While no monetary compensation could replace your loved one, it could give you some financial assistance while you come to terms with what has happened.

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How many people are injured in Theme Park Accidents in the UK each year?

To find out how many people are injured in theme park accidents in the UK, we can look at the statistics revealed in parliamentary statements covering the years from 2015/16 – to 2017/18. As you can see, members of the public are more commonly injured than workers.

Please note that the details are provided for injuries, and more than one injury could have occurred per accident.

theme park accidents UK ride accident can you sue a theme park for whiplash?

If I am injured in a ride accident, can I sue?

If you are injured in a ride accident, you could sue if you have evidence that someone breached the duty of care they owed you and caused you to sustain harm as a result. In some instances, this may be the person in control of the theme park or fairground. 

For more information, call our team.

Can you sue a theme park for whiplash?

There are instances where you could sue a theme park for whiplash if it was caused by someone’s breach of their duty of care towards you. You would need to prove that they had acted negligently, causing your injuries, to have a valid claim.

For instance, if the ride stops sharply due to poor maintenance and you sustain whiplash injuries, you may be eligible to claim. 

If you want to know if you could have a valid claim, our team could help. We could speak to you about the incident, take some details and perform a free eligibility check. If we believe your claim has a favourable chance of success, we could provide you with a lawyer.

Claiming for an accident at a fairground – what evidence do I need?

In order to successfully claim compensation, you’d need to prove that someone breached a duty of care they had to you. You’d also need to prove that the breach caused your injury. 

Evidence is important when making a funfair accident or fairground accident claim. However, the evidence you can collect can vary. Useful sources of evidence could include:

Witnesses to the fairground accident

If there are any bystanders that witnessed the funfair accident you were injured in, you could take down their names and contact details. That way, a statement could be taken at a later date.

CCTV footage

If CCTV footage covered an accident at a fairground, this could serve as useful evidence.

Photographs or videos

Many people have phones that take photos and videos. They might have caught photographs or footage of your funfair accident. This could be useful for evidencing your claim. As well as taking photographs or videos of the scene, you could photograph your injuries too.

Medical evidence

You’d need to provide evidence of your injuries. A solicitor could help arrange an appointment with an independent medical expert. They could examine you and write a report that could serve as medical evidence.

Documents showing costs and losses

If you’ve lost income or had to pay for care due to injuries sustained in an accident at a fairground, you could provide evidence of this. This could come in the form of bank statements, bills and payslips. Documentation like this could help you claim special damages which compensates for the financial losses incurred as a result of your injuries. 

Thank you for reading our guide about theme park accident compensation claims. We hope you have learned a lot about situations causing an accident at a theme park.