Lazy Rivers

Lazy rivers are supposed to be the relaxing ride at the amusement park or water park. The point of a lazy river is to lay inside of an inner tube and gently float along a pool stream. This however, is not always the case. These “relaxing rides” are notoriously overcrowded with people of all sizes and ages bumping into one another, splashing every which way, and toppling over. Small children may panic when they cannot control their tube or float away from their parent, teenagers may be splashing and roughhousing, and adults may be laying back with their eyes shut for a relaxing time. Lazy rivers are often a stream of water filled with chaos. Unfortunately, riders and, especially young children, are vulnerable to the dangers of lazy rivers.

Dangers

• • Overcrowding, which leads to bumping and crashing tubes
  • Splashing water, chlorine, and glare from the sun can reduce vision
  • The water is often deeper than children’s heads and therefore, there is risk of drowning
  • Loud noises and overcrowding make it difficult for lifeguards and safety personnel to hear people who need assistance
  • Slippery tubes make it easy for children to slip
  • Changing currents, uneven water

Lazy rivers are extremely deceiving and are often thought of as a nice option for parents with small, young children to enjoy, rather than going on huge water slides and rides. Parents however, need to be aware of the dangers, so they can prepare and be safe when planning to go on this ride, especially with children.

Injuries

These dangers mentioned above can cause some serious injuries which include:

• Scraping against the sides or bottom of the lazy river, causing lacerations and bruising
• Broken bones from falling under water and getting stepped on
• Water inhalation
• Recreational water illnesses
• Brain damage due to lack of oxygen
• Drowning

Do I Have a Case?

Similar to other personal injury cases that are caused by park rides, those who ride are accepting the possibility of injury when deciding to ride. Though there is foreseeable risk, sometimes the risk is made greater due to the lack of safety that is provided by the water park.

If the water park fails to train their lifeguards and safety personnel adequately, does not maintain proper inspections, does not keep their water clean, or does not have enough staff, they may be liable for injuries that may occur. If you or someone you know has suffered an injury, the medical bills can be expensive and place a burden on you and your family.

Getting Help

If you or someone you know does get injured at a lazy river, immediately seek safety personnel, get medical attention, alert the manager or someone in charge of the park, record everything that happened, and get contact information from witnesses. Taking these steps will allow you to have the resources you need in the event that you decide to take legal action. However, if you were not able to do any or all of these steps, do not worry or assume that you do not have a case.

Our goal is to assist and represent anyone who is injured in a lazy river and has suffered physical loss, emotional loss, or both. Each and every injury case is different and even if you feel that you do not have a case, contact an attorney to get the guidance you need. If you have had to pay medical bills, lose work, or suffered pain from an injury from a lazy river, we can help you.