Amusement Park Injury Lawyer In Dallas, TX | Theme Park Accidents
- Attorney Niles J. Sneed
- Jun 28
- 12 min read
For most of us, amusement parks here in Dallas or Tarrant County are filled with laughter, thrills, and happy memories. But this isn't always the case. When a ride goes wrong or a safety failure happens, what should have been a joyful outing can turn into a traumatic and life-changing event. Amusement park accidents are often preventable and the result of negligent operations or maintenance and lead to catastrophic or even fatal injuries.
As one of the most recognized legal teams here in Dallas, Sneed & Mitchell LLP is the law firm park goes hire when their lives are disrupted by amusement park negligence. With over 50 years of combined experience, our Dallas park accident lawyers regularly handle theme park cases. We also specialize in investigating these cases thoroughly, identify who is truly responsible, and fight for every dollar your family deserves.
Our firm is also undefeated at trial, and we’ve secured over $100 million in verdicts and settlements for injured individuals across Texas. Each case is also done on a contingency fee basis, so you pay nothing unless we are victorious for yoru family. If you or your child suffered an injury at Six Flags Over Texas, Hurricane Harbor, NRH2O, Hawaiian Falls, or any amusement or water park in the DFW area, trust your case to our caliber of legal talent. At Sneed & Mitchell LLP, our results speak for themselves and we aggressively purue justice for each of our clients.
We Ensure That Your Family Is Able to Provide for Themselves for the Rest of Their Lives
At Sneed & Mitchell LLP, we have built a reputation throughout Texas as a leading law firm for Amusement Park Accidents. Our case record includes:
Top Verdict Awards in Texas
Over $100 Million won in verdicts and settlements
Success against notable Theme Parks Here In Texas
A recent 8-figure settlement in a fatal accident that involved a death
Recognition for our trial advocacy and client service
An Undefeated team of Trial Attorneys
Theme Park accidents are among the sitautions family can face. These accidents often involved steel structures weighing thousands of pounds, steel inclines and declines, and speeds that exceed 40 miles an hour. When a park vistitor is victims of any unsafe actions on the grounds, the injuries can be overwhelming. You deserve to have best team of trial attorneys in Texas representing you, and this starts with your legal counsel having the experience, resources, and strategy necessary to fully advocate for your loss.
If your child, parent, or loved one was injured or lost their life in a Dallas Amusement Park, call (866)-434-0014 to speak directly with a Dallas Theme Park Accident Lawyer. We would like to hear what occurred and inform you of your many rights and options against the unsafe company.
Theme Park Injury Trends In Dallas and Fort Worth Texas
Texas ranks among the top states for amusement park injuries in the United States , with more than 7,900 injuries reported from 2019 and 2023. This equally about 25 injuries per 100,000 residents, which is well above the national average.
Amusement parks in Dallas and the surrounding metroplex are particularly active, given the high concentration of parks and year-round tourism. These include popular venues like Hawaiian Falls, Peppa Pig Theme Park Dallas–Fort Worth, and NRH2O.
Two-Year Snapshot (2023–2024)
Ride safety has improved, but injuries still occur. In 2023, Texas saw an estimated 1,700 amusement park-related injuries, including over 130 classified as serious. Serious injuries, such as traumatic brain injuries, amputations, and spinal damage, declined from 19% of incidents in 2022 to just 8% in 2023, reflecting improved safety protocols.
Yet, as attendance surged past 75 million rides statewide in 2024 due to increased post-pandemic travel, even minor lapses in safety oversight can put lives at risk. These incidents happen more frequently during the summer months and holiday weekends when parks operate at or near maximum capacity.
National Context
On a national level, the risk of a serious injury on a fixed-site ride is approximately 1 in 15.5 million rides. Still, in 2023, IAAPA confirmed that 75% of all incidents were attributed to guest behavior, not ride failure, yet a large percentage still involved negligent supervision and insufficient operator training.
One of the main causes of these accidents was improper training and operational oversight once mechanical failure were ruled out by investigators. When our attorneys file lawsuits for our clients we also often cite inadequate maintenance, understaffing, and poor emergency response as recurring issues in civil lawsuits.
Key Parks in Dallas County & Tarrant County
Dallas County and Tarrant County are home to some of the most visited amusement and water parks in Texas, drawing millions of visitors annually. These parks vary in size, theme, and design, ranging from massive roller coaster havens like Six Flags Over Texas to family-centric water parks such as NRH2O and Hawaiian Falls.
Six Flags Over Texas – Arlington
With over 200 acres of attractions and more than 40 rides, this flagship park draws millions each year. But it has also been the site of numerous reported injuries. In recent years, visitors have filed claims involving:
Ejection from roller coasters due to restraint failures
Head trauma from rough or malfunctioning rides
Severe burns from machinery contact and heat exposure
Six Flags maintains an internal safety team, but reports from the Texas Department of Insurance show that incidents still occur.
Hurricane Harbor Arlington
This water park is part of the Six Flags network and features high-speed slides, lazy rivers, and wave pools. Injuries often involve:
Slip and falls in wet areas
Water inhalation injuries
Impact trauma from crowded tube rides
Lack of lifeguard response or inattentiveness
Located in Garland, Mansfield, and other DFW areas, these family-focused parks often have fewer staff members per visitor compared to national chains. Complaints include:
Delayed response times
Shallow water diving injuries
Lack of visible safety signage
Owned by the city of North Richland Hills, NRH2O has faced legal action related to past fatalities. These tragic events highlighted the importance of staff readiness, proper signage, and water rescue training.
While targeted at toddlers and young children, the risks at this theme park involve ride safety restraints and fall injuries from playground equipment. Even low-speed rides can cause harm when park staff fail to assist children appropriately.
As the home of the State Fair of Texas, this location hosts temporary and mobile rides each year. These rides are set up by third-party vendors who may lack the same safety oversight as permanent parks.
State inspections have found:
Improper assembly of equipment
Faulty braking systems
Untrained ride operators
Common Injury Types & Causes Of Amusement Park Accidents
Every visitor to our amusement parks here in Dallas hopes for a safe and exciting day. However, the reality is that thousands of people are injured every year at our local attactions and many of these and many of those injuries would have been avoided with the proper oversight.
From the high-speed coasters to overcrowded splash zones and pool areas, the existing hazards facing vistors are always present depending on the ride, the maintenance quality, and the attentiveness of park staff.
Some of the common injuries park goers suffer include:
Fractured limbs and bone breaks
Traumatic brain injuries and other head injuries
Herniated discs and spinal fractures
Heat strokes and dehydration accidents in summer months
Soft tissue injuries like whiplash and contusions
Psychological trauma (e.g., PTSD in children following ride malfunctions)
Causes of Injury
Mechanical Failures: These include malfunctioning ride components, loose shoulder or waist belts, poor upkeep, or dilapidated structures
Operator Negligence: Theme park staff are often distracted, resulting in poor ride monitoring and failure to follow proper protocols
Lack of Warning Signage: Park guests are sometimes not adequately informed of ride risks, this includes improper warning sights
Overcrowding: Rides are often run in ways that exceed the safe occupancy levels or weight resctions results in systems being overcompromised
Inadequate Supervision: Especially in toddler areas and lazy rivers, pool operators and lifeguard teams are often understaffed or non-existant during operation hours
Poor Ride Design: Excessive G-forces or sharp turns can injure riders. This occurs when build teams construct rides or experiences without proper testing
Hazardous Conditions: Slippery surfaces, broken steps, unsecured wires
The issues noted above compounded when amusement parks hire seasonal staff without full training or fail to perform daily safety checks. But, this list is not exhaustive, endless mishaps can happen and result in a family dealing with the results of a serious accident.
The Legal Framework for Amusement Park Injury Cases
Due to premises liability laws in Texas, amusement parks owe all visitors a legal duty of care. Amusement parks may be found negligent for a number of reasons, including not maintaining safe conditions, not inspecting rides, or not training employees. Depending on the circumstances of the injury, other legal theories might also apply:
Negligence: - lacking reasonable care
Premises Liability: - unsafe condition caused injury.
Product Liability: - defect in a ride or equipment.
Gross Negligence: - reckless disregard for safety.
A successful case for injury in Texas must show the following:
A duty owed by the park operators
A breach of duty
The breach caused the injury to your or a loved one
The injury caused damages
Who Regulates Amusement Parks
The Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) inspects amusement park rides and regulates amusement parks in Texas. Ride operators must have current inspection certificates and some type of insurance, though regulators have limited power as it can take a civil lawsuit to uncover more serious safety violations.
Why Hire a Dallas Park Accident Lawyer from Sneed & Mitchell?
When you or your child suffers a serious injury at an amusement park, you need more than just a lawyer, you need a powerful advocate who knows how to take on corporate giants and third-party ride manufacturers. At Sneed & Mitchell LLP, we understand the complexity of these claims, from mechanical forensics and maintenance logs to uncovering vendor responsibility.
Our legal team includes trial-tested attorneys, bilingual staff, and board-certified litigators ready to represent you throughout every phase of your case. We advance all costs, use leading ride-safety experts, and only take payment if we recover for you. Our past victories include seven- and eight-figure settlements, and our trial experience ensures we never back down from getting full justice.
We’re not just lawyers, we are problem solvers, crisis managers, and courtroom tacticians committed to our clients’ long-term wellbeing.
How Sneed & Mitchell Helps In Amusement Park Accident Cases
At Sneed & Mitchell LLP, we modify the legal process to be efficient, evidence-based and designed to maximize those we represent. From the moment you first call us, we begin to put together a case to withstand any corporate defense. Whether your case represents an injury to a child, a personal injury claim, or a figure representing a wrongful death, we consider the steps below, which are all focused on preserving evidence, discovering all potential at fault parties, and moving toward a resolution, whether it is a pre-litigation demand or jury trial.
First Representation – We provide an initial case review free of charge to hear the story of your experience, see if there is basis to pursue a civil suit, and then outline your legal rights and possible avenues in layman's terms. This is the first step in developing your plaintiff claim.
Evidence preservation and collection - This is where time is of the essence. We send out spoliation letters and legal notifications to preserve surveillance videos, ride maintenance logs, incident reports, workers lists, witness lists, and any communications logs from the park. This is an early step to avoid any deletion, loss, or alteration of evidence that is critical to your case.
Notice of Claim/Notice of Defendants - We identify all potentially negligent parties, whether it is park operators, ride manufacturers, 3rd party maintenance vendors, the event coordinators, they will all be identified and sent a notice of our intention to pursue a civil action. This will signal a potential defendant that the strategic development of your case has begun.
Pre-Litigation Demand & Negotiation – We draw up a powerful pre-litigation demand package with a review of potential liability, injury claims, and expert medical opinions on injuries, in addition to a breakdown of damages. Often, we are capable of negotiating directly with the insurance companies and corporate claims representatives and therefore we can offer a fair resolution, and we may avoid litigation.
The Damages Available to Victims of Amusement Park Accidents
Texas civil law entitles plaintiffs to pursue full compensation through a personal injury claim or wrongful death lawsuit against the at-fault party. The damages we pursue for victims are not just about paying hospital bills, but also for rebuilding your life, holding negligent parties accountable, and also seeking punitive damages to punish egregious corporate misconduct in cases where it's possible.
At Sneed & Mitchell LLP, our trial lawyers take a comprehensive approach to calculating damages, ensuring that every category of harm, both economic and non-economic, is fully documented and powerfully presented to the jury if trial becomes necessary.
Medical Bills
We aggressively seek full reimbursement for your medical bills, ambulance transport, emergency room treatment, surgeries, ongoing physical therapy, home modifications, and future care needs. Our law firm also works with the best experts in Texas to secure compensation for all of the future medical needs in cases of severe injuries like spinal cord damage, concussions, or amputations.
Lost Wages & Future Earnings
If the amusement park injury forces the victims to miss work either temporarily or permanently, then we calculate the lost wages from the date of the incident, include missed promotions or job opportunities, and build out detailed forecasts of reduced earning capacity, especially for young victims whose future careers have been derailed.
Pain and Suffering
Pain and suffering isn’t just physical. Victims often live with chronic discomfort, emotional trauma, flashbacks, anxiety, or even post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Our attorneys work closely with therapists, physicians, and family members to quantify how deeply your injury has altered your quality of life.
Disfigurement and Physical Impairment
If a park's negligence has caused you to sustain an injury resulting in catastrophic damages, Texas civil law allows you (the plaintiff) to recover full compensation through a personal injury claim or wrongful death lawsuit. These damages are more than simply getting your hospital bills paid. You want to rebuild your life, to hold negligent people accountable, and in some cases to seek punitive damages to punish corporate conduct that is outrageous.
At Sneed & Mitchell LLP we assess damages for injury litigation in a holistic way, and we make sure we note all categories of harm (economic losses and non-economic losses) and make sure they are well documented and that we can efficiently present the damages to a jury, if necessitated by trial.
Medical Bills
Our law firm will try to recover all medical bills, including printing costs or costs for lost wages due to the injury, and we will retain experts to project all of the economic damages from lifetime care obligations for victims with catastrophic injuries, such as a spinal cord injury, a traumatic brain injury, or amputations.
Lost Wages and Future Income
As for many amusement park injury victims, their injuries may prevent them from returning to work, either temporarily or even permanently. Sneed & Mitchell LLP will seek recovery the lost wages from the date of the accident, including wages for promotions or job changes they could not take, and also develop a working model of lost future wages in order to create a projection of their reduced future earning capacity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Our attorneys have helped hundreds of injury victims navigate the civil justice system, and we’re here to provide clear, direct answers rooted in Texas law and real courtroom experience. Below are answers to the most common questions we receive about amusement park injury claims, from statutes of limitations to liability waivers and what happens if your case goes to trial.
How long do I have to file a claim?
You generally have a two years statute of limitations starting the date of the incident to file a personal injury claim in Texas. However, specific deadlines may vary depending on whether the park is publicly owned (like NRH2O) or privately operated.
Can I sue a park even if I signed a waiver?
Yes. Liability waivers are often unenforceable if gross negligence or recklessness is involved. Our attorneys can evaluate whether your waiver is legally binding.
What if my child was injured?
if your child was hurt in a theme park, speak with our Child Injury Lawyers today. Children are especially vulnerable to amusement park dangers. Claims involving minors may be subject to extended deadlines, and courts often award additional damages to account for the emotional and developmental impact.
Do these cases go to trial?
Many amusement park injury claims usually settle during the investigation or discovery phase. However, if the park refuses to accept responsibility, we are fully prepared to take your case to trial. The process begins with the Discovery Phase, which includes sending and receiving Interrogatories, Requests for Production, and often a premises inspection when cases are against commercially-operated entertainment attractions. During this phase of litigation depositions also generally occur of key personal, along with a mediation attempt in a pre-trial effort to resolve the matter. If the defendant does not offer our client all that they are entitled to, where date the case to trial here in Dallas County, where our team is undefeated.
Let Sneed & Mitchell LLP Help You Take the Next Step
At Sneed & Mitchell LLP, we know that an injury at an amusement park can upend your entire life. Whether your case involves a spinal injury at Six Flags, a near-drowning at Hurricane Harbor, or a slip-and-fall at NRH2O, our Dallas amusement park injury lawyers are here to help you reclaim control and secure the justice you deserve.
We bring a fierce reputation, an unmatched trial record, and a deep bench of legal and technical resources to every case. We serve English and Spanish speaking clients and proudly represent families across Dallas County, Tarrant County, and beyond.
If you or a loved one were injured at an amusement park here in Dallas, call us at 866-434-0014 for a free consultation. Let us fight for you while you focus on healing. From our local office at 701 Commerce St Suite 504, Dallas, TX 75202, we assist throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex and have assisted thousands of people in securing the compensation required to restore their lives.
When the stakes are highest, choose the law firm that doesn’t back down. Choose Sneed & Mitchell LLP.
