A day meant for laughter can end in an ambulance when a ride malfunctions or a hazard is ignored. As Fort Worth amusement park injury lawyer Paul Previte and our legal team know too well, these incidents leave families reeling—physically, emotionally, and financially. This page explains when Texas theme parks must pay for visitor injuries, the steps victims should take, and how the Law Office of Paul Previte fights for the compensation our clients deserve.
“I was facing my second DWI charge and I believed that I was not intoxicated and that the police officer stopped me for no reason. I hired Paul Previte and I could not believe the attention that he paid to my case. After Paul Previte got finished with his cross-examination, the jury found me Not Guilty in less than five minutes.” – J.C.
A family outing turned nightmare? Call the Law Office of Paul Previte at (817) 335-4357 for a free, no-pressure case review and learn how we hold negligent amusement parks fully accountable before critical ride-log evidence disappears.
Why Do Amusement Park Accidents Happen in DFW?
Accidents happen because safety rules are broken.
- Mechanical failures occur when rides skip inspections or parts wear out—think of a lap‑bar that suddenly unlatches on a coaster.
- Operator error surfaces when an untrained attendant starts the ride too soon or fails to secure restraints.
- Missing warnings—such as absent height limits or health notices—leave guests unaware of hidden risks.
- Slip‑and‑falls arise from wet concrete around water rides or cracked nighttime walkways.
- Security lapses can trigger crowd surges, assaults, or trampling injuries during holiday events.
- Food‑safety or heat illnesses strike when concession stands mishandle food or lines stretch for hours in Texas heat.
Each cause is preventable if owners honor their duty to inspect, repair, and supervise. When they don’t, the DFW premises‑liability attorneys at our firm step in.
What Injuries Can You Suffer at an Amusement Park?
Injuries range from bruises to lifelong disability.
Common harm includes broken bones, whiplash, concussions, spinal damage, lacerations, and near‑drowning events at water attractions.
Uncommon, but devastating, harm can involve electrical burns, organ damage from high‑G forces, heat‑stroke complications, or even stroke and cardiac events after extreme rides.
Victims often battle PTSD and chronic pain on top of mounting medical bills.
Do Amusement Parks Have to Follow Safety Laws in Texas?
Texas law says they do.
Under Chapter 2151 of the Texas Occupations Code, every ride must pass an annual engineer inspection, display a state compliance sticker, and carry at least $1 million in liability insurance. Guests are “invitees,” so parks owe them the highest duty of care—regular inspections, timely repairs, and clear warnings. Ignoring any of these duties is a breach that opens the door to liability.
When Is an Amusement Park Liable for Your Injuries?
Liability attaches when negligence causes harm. To win, we show: duty, breach, causation, and damages. Examples:
- A coaster’s restraint fails due to skipped maintenance.
- Management leaves a broken handrail unrepaired despite employee reports.
- Staff misjudges ride speed and slams brakes, causing whiplash.
Such breaches prove the park, not the patron, created the danger.
Who Else Could Be Responsible for an Amusement Park Accident?
More than one party can share the blame.
- A ride manufacturer faces product liability claims for design or welding defects.
- A third‑party maintenance contractor may pay if it falsified safety logs.
- Park employees fall under the doctrine of respondeat superior, making employers pay for on‑the‑job mistakes.
- Reckless guests—like someone jumping a fence and knocking others over—can be sued, and the park may also owe damages for lax security.
The Texas injury team at Paul Previte’s office investigates every angle to capture full compensation.
When Might an Amusement Park Not Be Liable for an Injury?
Defenses exist but they have limits.
- Assumption of risk applies only to obvious, disclosed dangers—not to hidden mechanical defects.
- Rule violations, standing mid‑ride or entering a restricted zone, can reduce a verdict through Texas’s 51 percent comparative fault rule.
- Trespassing or criminal acts release parks from most duties, except not to cause intentional harm.
Even if you fear partial blame, call us; insurers often exaggerate victim fault to dodge payout.
What Compensation Can You Recover for an Amusement Park Injury?
Texas law allows broad recovery.
- Economic damages: emergency transport, hospitalization, surgery, rehabilitation, future medical care, lost wages, and diminished earning capacity.
- Non‑economic damages: pain, suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and loss of consortium.
- Wrongful‑death damages: funeral costs, lost household income, and survivors’ mental anguish.
- Punitive damages may punish gross negligence—such as knowingly operating a defective ride.
The caring personal‑injury attorneys at our Fort Worth firm calculate every category so clients are not short‑changed.
What Should You Do After an Amusement Park Accident in Fort Worth/DFW?
Quick action protects health and evidence.
- Seek medical care even if pain seems minor.
- Report the incident to park management and request a copy of the written report.
- Document the scene including photos, videos, hazard details, and witness contacts.
- Keep tickets, wristbands, and receipts. They prove presence and may contain waiver language.
- Refuse quick settlements or waiver signatures until you speak with counsel.
- Call our office before vital evidence, maintenance logs or surveillance video, disappears.
- Follow treatment plans and save every bill to support your claim.
How Can a Texas Amusement Park Injury Lawyer Help You?
Legal guidance levels the field against corporate insurers. Attorney Paul Previte personally investigates ride records, contractor documents, and state inspection files. He consults engineers and medical experts to prove negligence, then negotiates aggressively for fair settlements. When carriers refuse fairness, Texas trial attorney Paul Previte is ready for court, drawing on decades of verdict experience.
Our representation is contingency‑based. You pay nothing unless we win. Throughout the case, DFW amusement park accident lawyer Paul Previte keeps clients informed, returning calls and texts directly.
Paul Previte is a Fort Worth trial attorney with 25 years of courtroom experience as a defense lawyer, prosecutor, judge, and now advocate for accident victims and criminal defendants. His rare perspective from both sides of the bench lets him spot issues others miss and level the playing field for his clients in personal injury and criminal cases.
Ready to Talk? If an amusement park’s negligence injured you or someone you love, reach the Fort Worth personal‑injury attorneys at the Law Office of Paul Previte today. Call (817) 335-4357 or visit us at 6000 Western Place, Suite 200, Fort Worth, TX 76107 for a free consultation. We’ll shoulder the legal burden so you can focus on healing.
