Keeping Your Kids Safe on Water Slides

Warm weather and sunny skies allow us to enjoy outdoor activities, including throwing birthday parties for the kids with rented or purchased water slides, or packing everyone up for a fun day at a facility that has water slides like Six Flags Hurricane Harbor or Earlywine Family Aquatic Center in Oklahoma City.

Unfortunately, when taking kids and adults to a waterpark or renting inflatable slides, you may not have time to think about the dangers. We see too many child injuries from these types of activities due to careless or reckless operation or defective slides. If you or your child gets injured, a park, retailer, or manufacturer could be liable for personal injury damages.

Water slide injuries typically result from high-velocity impacts and slippery surfaces. Children may collide with fixed surfaces, get caught between objects, or fall off their mat. Common water slide injuries include scrapes, hyperextensions and dislocations, head injuries, cuts and lacerations, or water inhalation. Water slide accidents may also be fatal.

What types of water slide injuries can users suffer?

Our Oklahoma City personal injury lawyers handle all types of water slide injuries. We work with your doctors (or your child’s doctors) to verify the medical diagnosis, understand what treatments are necessary, the cost of the medical care, and all the ways the injuries are affecting you or your children.

Common water slide accident scenarios include:

• Inflatable water slide injuries. You may opt for one of the smaller, inflatable water slides you can rent or buy for a backyard party. These seem safe enough at first glance, but they can also be dangerous if not set up correctly or if they are defective in any way. Some of these slides have been known to suddenly deflate, flip over, or even blow away in sudden gusts of wind – sometimes with children inside them.
• Dirty water injuries. Remember that when many people are using a water slide, the water can get easily contaminated. Bacteria, feces, and other germs can dirty up the water and, if the water sits around in the heat, possibly give your child an infection or make him or her sick.
• Injuries due to collisions. Riders may collide with other riders or parts of the water slide at high speeds, causing severe injuries.
• Many slides require that the user climb steps or walkways to begin their adventure. Water slide users may fall while climbing. Children are especially prone to falls because they may not appreciate the dangers of being too high or in the wrong spot.

Possible personal injuries from these types of accidents include:

• Traumatic brain injuries and other types of head trauma
• Spinal cord injuries, including paralysis
• Traumatic amputation/loss of limb
• Fractures/broken bones
• Muscle, tissue, ligament, nerve, and tendon damage
• Back, neck, and shoulder pain
• Diseases and infections
• Drowning and other types of deaths

What are the common safety requirements for water slides?

Some of the many water slide safety precautions that water park owners and other property owners should take to prevent injuries include the following:

• Post safety rules and regulations.
• Follow the posted rules and regulations.
• Follow the suggested weight limits.
• Make sure there’s enough water flowing over the slide to keep the ride smooth.
• Don’t move or reposition the slide once it’s installed.
• Ensure that only one user uses the slide at a time. Children need to wait for the rider in front to complete their ride. Some water slides may be designed for multiple users according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.
• Slide down feet first.
• Don’t try any stunts, flips, or twists.
• Ensure that the steps are working properly.
• Ensure that the areas around the water slide are as dry as possible.
• Remove any objects (such as chairs, towels, or toys) near the entrance and exit locations.
• No pets.
• Inspect the slide materials for tears, weak spots, or damage.
• No pushing or shoving.
• Clean the slides from algae, grime, or sunscreen residue.
• Don’t use the water slide if anything is amiss.
• Adults should avoid alcohol.

Other safety tips include the following:

• Confirm that any rented or commercial inflatable slide has a current Oklahoma Department of Labor inspection sticker and proof of registration.
• Select water slides that are age-appropriate. Generally, the steeper the water slide, the older the user should be.
• Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations or the rental company’s recommendations.
• Supervise children, especially young children. Multiple supervisors may be necessary.
• Inspect the setup of the water slide (if you rent or use a personal inflatable water slide). Generally, the rental company should use experienced installers. Proper installation and inspection include:
  • Placing the slide on a flat, soft surface so that if someone falls, their injuries should be less serious than falling on cement or other hard surfaces.
  • Making sure the water slide is fully inflated and stable.
  • Ensure the water source is appropriately functioning to keep the slide wet and reduce friction, preventing scrapes and burns.
• Dress properly. Any part of a swimsuit (such as a zipper or button) that could scratch or get stuck could cause an accident. Accessories, such as jewelry, should be removed.
• Children who aren’t strong swimmers should use flotation devices or life vests.
• Don’t use the water slide if it’s too windy or thunderstorms are approaching.
• Look for signs of heat exhaustion or dehydration.
• Emphasize the use of handles or slide rails as users climb into position.
• Follow the recommended cleaning and maintenance instructions of the rental company or the manufacturer.

Who is liable when water slide accidents happen?

Our Oklahoma City personal injury lawyers can explain if you have a claim, the type of claim you have, and who may be responsible. The responsible parties may include:

• The owner of the water park or facility, including theme parks, public pools, and homeowners. The responsible parties may include owners of private water parks or homeowners, based on the premises liability laws of Oklahoma. Generally, property owners owe a duty of reasonable care to invitees, including inspecting and maintaining the premises to prevent unreasonable risks of harm. They may also be liable for failing to provide safety protocols and train their workers about proper usage.

Note: Claims against public or city-run pools are subject to strict notice requirements under the Oklahoma Governmental Tort Claims Act.

• Rental companies. Rental companies may be liable for negligence, breach of contract, or warranty, depending on the facts and the terms of the rental agreement.
• Manufacturers and sellers. Manufacturers, and in some circumstances sellers, may be liable if a defective and unreasonably dangerous product causes injury under Oklahoma product liability law.
• Maintenance companies. Businesses that fail to properly maintain or repair the slides may be liable to injury victims if their negligence or breach of their contract causes any harm.
• For instance, the water parks may be liable for the negligence of their employees acting within the scope of their employment, such as operators and lifeguards.

Homeowners may be liable under the attractive nuisance doctrine if specific legal elements are met, including foreseeability of harm and failure to take reasonable steps to protect children from dangerous conditions.

We work with investigators, product safety experts, and through the discovery process to show the cause of water slide accidents and who is responsible. We also review any relevant contracts, maintenance records, prior complaints, and other evidence to support your claim.

Get in touch with Cunningham & Mears today

We know how important it is to you that your children are safe and protected from water slide danger. If you or your child suffers injury due to a water slide accident, talk to the Oklahoma City injury attorneys at Cunningham & Mears. We can fight to pursue compensation for your family.

Call our lawyers today or complete our contact form to schedule a free consultation.

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