The official Kansas State Fair has been held in Hutchinson, KS since 1913. The event attracts approximately 350,000 visitors annually with its concerts, auto races, demolition derbies, and thousands of vendors and exhibits.
But like other fairs and large events, the Kansas State Fair is full of potential hazards that could lead to injuries. From petting zoos and carnival rides to trip hazards and parking lot traffic, there’s a lot that could go wrong if fair organizers and individual vendors cut corners or behave carelessly.
If you were injured in a state fair accident due to someone else’s negligence, you might wonder who is responsible for compensating you. Given the number of potentially liable parties, you will likely need a knowledgeable personal injury attorney’s help to determine fault.
Risks for Injury at the Kansas State Fair
Although a state fair can be fun, it does not come without risk. Recently, at the Florida State Fair, a young girl suffered injuries on a gondola ride after slipping under a safety bar and falling in a grassy area. At the Summit County Fair in Ohio, a jet ski ride malfunction caused multiple children to be injured.
Some of the most common potential dangers at the Kansas state fair include the following:
- Carnival ride malfunctions
- Wet or cracked surfaces
- Falling objects or carnival ride parts
- Assault and battery
- Sexual assault
- Parking lot collisions
- Animal bites
While accidents can occur for many reasons, many fairground incidents can be attributed to the negligence of fairground staff, organizers, ride operators, and vendors. County fair organizers have a duty to prevent attendees from being harmed. If they fail to uphold their responsibility to eliminate hazards as they arise, someone could get hurt – and they could be held liable.
Ride operators, animal handlers, and vendors must also take reasonable steps to ensure the safety of their attractions and prevent guests from being harmed.
What to Do in Case of an Injury at the Kansas State Fair
If you were injured at the Kansas State Fair, you should take the following steps to protect your rights:
- Photograph your injuries, the accident scene, and the hazard that caused it
- Get the contact information of any witnesses
- Seek prompt medical attention, preferably within the first 72 hours after the incident
You should also consult with an experienced personal injury attorney as soon as possible. Depending on who contributed to the accident, there could be multiple liable parties. Your attorney should have the resources to conduct a full investigation of the accident, gather evidence to support your case, and identify the parties you can hold liable.
Who Is Liable if My Child Is Injured on a Ride?
Various parties could be liable if your child is injured on a ride at the fair. The company that operates the ride could be responsible if their employees caused the accident by acting negligently. If there was something inherently unsafe about the ride that led to the accident, the manufacturer could be liable. After investigating the incident, an attorney can give you a clearer answer about liability for a state fair accident.
Can I Sue for an Injury at the State Fair?
If someone caused you to be injured at the Kansas State Fair, you could seek compensation from them. However, the process may vary depending on who the liable party is. If you were harmed due to the negligence of fair organizers or some hazardous condition at the fairgrounds, you might be able to file a claim against the State Fair itself. Filing a claim against a government entity differs from filing a personal injury lawsuit against a private third party. An attorney can help you understand the specific rules and requirements.
If you were injured due to the negligence of a vendor or another third party, you could file a claim with their liability insurance provider. Vendors and animal exhibitors can be held responsible for injuries and property damage resulting from their actions.
Most personal injury cases are resolved through settlements before a lawsuit becomes necessary. But if settlement negotiations fall through, you could take legal action to recover damages. If you or someone you love suffered injuries at the Kansas State Fair, contact a Wichita personal injury lawyer with Mann Wyatt Tanksley Injury Attorneys today for a free consultation about your case.
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