SERVING INJURED CLIENTS THROUGHOUT THE U.S.A.

Zip Lining

Both amusement parks and waterparks have zip lining. This is a ride where a rider is wearing a harness and travels from a high point gradually down to the ground. Some zip lines go through trees, some go over the park, and others go over water. Brownstone Water Park in Connecticut has several zip lines which require the rider to let go and drop into the water. The park also has others that start up at the top of cliffs and lead the rider into water.

Dangers

Any ride that involves a rider hanging from a rope and a harness and going fast can lead to some risks of injury. This risk is even greater when a zip line leads a rider into water, or a rider must let go and drop into the water. Letting go of a moving zipline into water, no matter what speed, can be dangerous because a rider can land wrong. If someone is moving while falling into water, there is a possibility that the rider will flip and land on their head or neck, or pull their back, or dislocate a shoulder. Even worse, if this rider falls on top of another swimmer in the water, both can get serious injuries or drown.

Force

Zip lines that require riders to be harnessed and land in water can be dangerous because riders may land with a lot of force, or may flip and hit their head. The water can also get in the face and mouth, and cause suffocation. The other fear is that a rider can get tangled up in the ropes, cords, or harness when they hit the water.

Staff Training

Because many zip lines are up high, and require knowledge of properly harnessing and attaching riders to the zip line, the hope is that the staff are well trained. Zip lines can be upwards of hundreds of feet in the air, and no matter if there is water at the bottom or not, if a rider falls from those heights, they can be seriously injured. Staff who operate the zip lines must reliably strap on harnesses, attached the harness to the proper cords, and make sure that the timing is right and riders will not collide with each other.

At Brownstone Water Park, there must be staff members who can manage the rides and safety harness, lifeguards and safety personnel, and staff directing riders when they can jump or start going on rides. If a staff member makes a small mistake or oversight with the harness or timing, it can lead to serious consequences. There can also be serious consequences if there is not enough lifeguards or safety personnel keeping an eye on hundreds of riders and kids playing.

Injuries

Some injuries that could result from zip lining are:

  • Lacerations, bruising
  • Rope burns
  • Broken bones
  • Concussion or other traumatic brain injury
  • Strangulation
  • Water inhalation
  • Drowning
  • Death

Though zip lining accidents are thankfully few and far between, it is important to be aware of the dangers and the possible injuries that can be caused when people make mistakes. Sometimes injuries can happen due to the fault of a rider breaking the rules, though often when this occurs, the rider may not have understood what the rules were.

Getting Help

If you or someone you know has been injured at Brownstone Water Park on a zip line, or on a zip line somewhere else, give us a call to speak with an attorney. Speaking with an attorney sooner than later can help you get help faster and may be better for the outcome of your case.

Scroll to Top