If you go to a waterpark, you should expect to get wet. That’s pretty obvious, and most people would agree that you should expect to walk through some puddles or to be splashed unexpectedly. What you shouldn’t have to deal with, though, are areas of ground that are slick or slippery.
Waterparks usually put down gritty pavement and textured surfaces. According to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) regulations, they need to have non-slip, textured surfaces on stairs and flat walking areas. That way, if the ground becomes wet, the gritty surface will help prevent a fall and provide better traction.
Despite regulations, there are still slip-and-fall hazards in waterparks
Unfortunately, slick ground may still be present after thousands of people walk across a surface. Without repairs, grit may break down over time and leave behind a smooth surface underneath. This creates a hazard that may be unexpected and unavoidable.
Slip-and-fall accidents don’t only happen on ground surfaces or stairs, either. They may also happen on wood decking, which may become slick or warp over time, or while entering a waterslide, which is slick by nature.
Who is liable if someone falls in a waterpark?
When you go to a waterpark, you will probably sign a waiver upon entry. This waiver will remove liability in the case of slip-and-fall accidents under some circumstances, such as if someone slips while getting onto a waterslide that was otherwise safe.
However, if you can show that there are unsafe or neglected conditions, then the waterpark’s owners or employees could be held liable. For example, if an employee pushes a patron onto a waterslide when they’re not ready, they could cause a slip-and-fall injury that the park would be responsible for. Similarly, if a staircase wasn’t maintained well and has slick areas, anyone who fell could hold the park responsible for the lack of maintenance.
Getting hurt is the last thing you should have to go through when you’re at a waterpark for a day out, but if that happens, know that the park may be liable for your injuries and the expenses that come with it.