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Are theme and amusement parks safe for children even with proper insurance?

Finding injury statistics about amusement parks isn't always easy. As a matter of fact, many states aren't required to post their injury reports and safety inspection results. For example, Walt Disney World in Florida isn't required to post injury reports.

A voluntary "memorandum of understanding' is made between the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and theme parks like While Busch Gardens, Sea World, Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando. These memorandums report serious ride-related injuries and fatalities. Injuries that require a trip to the emergency room and medical attention do not have to be reported.

Many consumers fall into the trap of thinking their park is safer than it actually is, says Kathy Fackler of Saferparks.org, a website dedicated to consumer awareness of theme and amusement park safety. Fackler claims, "Many parents are more likely to loosen their child's leash a bit more at a theme park than a local playground [they believe] a theme park is regulated and playgrounds are not'.

Even with the proper insurance, your children might not be safe. Because inspection records and accident reports are rarely published, the degree of safety at amusement parks is largely unknown to the patrons. James Demarco, senior compliance officer at the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), says, "On one of the inspections I was on, I saw a coat hanger holding up a part of the ride. Some of the rides at parks are over 50 years old'.

Here are some tips you should use if you are injured at an amusement park:

• Record the time and date you were injured, the name of the park and the name of the ride

• Make sure that you hire a lawyer who specializes in amusement and theme park injury cases.

• Get the name of the ride operator as quickly as possible. If you realize your injury with time, report it to the park's first aid squad and request a copy of the report.

• If you think that the injury you experienced was the cause of a mechanical error in the ride, report your injury to the proper state department immediately.

• Make sure that the lawyer you hire finds an expert in the amusement ride field who will be willing to investigate your case

Be aware of the fact that this process is usually long and takes effort.

Make sure that before you go to an amusement park, you contact your insurance agent and make sure that you have the proper coverage if anything were to happen.