Child Injured Due to Farm Amusement Attraction Safety Failure

Case Overview

This defense case study delves into an incident at a farm-based amusement attraction where a minor sustained injuries. The accident occurred when one of the hay bales, serving as stairs for a slide at a pumpkin patch farm, dislodged and fell onto the child.

The central argument posits that the slide design and assembly adhered to standard safety protocols. This suggests that the farm could not have anticipated or prevented this unfortunate event.

An expert specializing in amusement park safety was enlisted to scrutinize the case details and conduct an on-site inspection of the slide.

Questions to the expert and their responses

Could you provide some insight into your professional background in amusement park safety, particularly with regard to slide design and assembly?

Over my 29-year career, I’ve inspected amusement rides and devices across the United States. My expertise also extends to playgrounds and aquatic equipment.

In recent years, there has been an uptick in incidents at farms/patches, which are regulated by only a handful of states. Outdoor attractions present unique challenges, necessitating a comprehensive hazard analysis.

Have you previously reviewed cases like this one? If so, could you elaborate?

Indeed, I have inspected dozens of these attractions over the years. When incidents occur, they typically stem from misbehavior or mechanical failure.

My extensive experience in amusement ride safety makes me uniquely qualified to offer insights into this case involving a minor injured at a farm attraction. My understanding of slide design and assembly, coupled with knowledge of the specific challenges posed by outdoor attractions, will be instrumental in assessing whether adequate safety measures were in place at the time of the incident.

About the expert

This expert boasts nearly three decades of experience in amusement park ride safety, with a specialization in inspecting safety protocols for various amusement rides and attractions. They are a certified amusement ride inspector in multiple states and have undergone extensive training in advanced amusement device inspection, non-destructive testing awareness, ride maintenance, and safety. Currently serving as an amusement park ride safety consultant at a Virginia-based firm, this expert's focus areas include safety planning, training, risk management, loss control, and inspection.