On a hot day, there is not much better than heading out to a water park for some refreshment and entertainment. However, all of that fun comes at a risk, as most thrilling things do. For water park enthusiasts, injuries, illnesses, and other incidents are always lurking. For water park owners and operators, those same things are lurking with the added specter of financial consequences. Insurance for water parks adds a layer of protection and safety for everyone involved.
Your clients who own water parks or are considering getting into the business likely know that there are a lot of risks involved. They may not know the extent of the financial consequences of a lawsuit. Or they may be running their business, looking for the insurance that best suits their needs. Whatever the situation, we are here to help you give your clients what they want, so you can write more business and they can get to work without worry.
Water Park Lawsuits
It seems like every season, we hear about a big incident at a water park. From the largest, headline-grabbing injuries to the smaller everyday issues that can add up to a big headache, we have rounded up a handful of water park lawsuits so you and your clients have a good idea of what is at stake.
parents of a New Jersey surfer alleged wrongful death. The Texas water park in question had Naegleria fowleri amoebae in some of its water, factorable conditions for it to grow elsewhere, and other amoebas in different attractions according to tests. That amoeba is what ultimately fed on the surfer’s brain cells, causing his death. The suit says the water park could have prevented his death with ordinary care in their operations. The family is seeking over $1 million.
In Tennessee, a hotel where three children have drowned is facing its second lawsuit, alleged to have violated safety rules. The parent hotel chain, franchisee, and owner stand to lose $4.5 million in the suit if it goes forward.
In a 2004 case, a water park employee rode down a slide owned and operated by his employer and was rendered paraplegic. He sued for $4.4 million.
Owners and operators must be cognizant of the risks of running a business. In Canada, a water park company had a case go forward against it for assault, battery, false imprisonment, and mental suffering on the part of an employee. The incident happened at work during a staff party, meaning the company could be liable.
The potential costs of a lawsuit are high. These cases get a lot of attention, potentially impacting business. Insurance for water parks helps mitigate these issues.
Choosing Insurance for Water Parks
Protecting against liability means investing in insurance for water parks. Your clients should consider their level of risk and potential liability when selecting insurance. Liability typically comes down to owners, even if an employee was negligent unless they were malicious in action. There are many, many exposures in a water park, regardless of who is responsible. It’s important to ensure insurance coverage protects against all of them.
Sometimes product liability comes into question when something that has to do with a ride causes problems. Talk to your clients about their liability versus that of the ride manufacturer. Then reach out to us with any questions.
Unfortunately for many owners and operators, securing insurance for water parks can be challenging given the risk of the industry. When you work with Prime Insurance Company, however, you can rest assured that we will do everything we can to secure insurance for your client. We make it easy with comprehensive insurance, quick responses to claims, and a willingness to help high-risk clients.
The bottom line is that owners of water parks need to have liability insurance. We can write the coverage, no matter the situation. For a personalized quote, use our direct application here.
We also offer risk management expertise, helping your clients mitigate potential problems before they turn into lawsuits. We evaluate the water park site and work directly with your client, using industry expertise to ensure rides are documented, maintained, and operated safely. We see that operators are trained and any compliance needs are met. Even something as simple as refreshing an incident report system can do a lot of good. These are the kinds of things our experts will help your clients uncover and rectify.
Contact
For any other inquiries or for more information, call us at 800-257-5590 or email us at quotes@primeis.com. Remember to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, and Instagram, or learn more about us on our blog!
___________________________________________________________________________________________
Authored by Rick J. Lindsey, CEO, President, and Chairman of Prime Insurance Company
Rick J. Lindsey hails from Salt Lake City, Utah. He began working in the mailroom of his father’s Salt Lake City insurance firm, getting his introduction to the business that became his lifelong career. Lindsey quickly rose through the ranks while working in nearly every imaginable insurance industry job. As an entrepreneur, specialty lines underwriter, claims specialist, risk manager, and a licensed surplus lines broker, Rick Lindsey is highly skilled in all levels of leadership and execution. As he progressed on his career path, Rick discovered an urgent need for insurers willing to write policies for high-risk individuals and businesses. He was frequently frustrated that he could not provide the liability protection these entities desperately needed to safeguard their assets. He also formed the belief that insurance companies acted too quickly to settle frivolous claims. Lindsey decided to try a different approach. He started an insurance company and became the newly formed entity’s CEO. This opportunity has enabled Rick to fill a void in the market and provide a valuable service to businesses, individuals, and insurance agents who write high-risk business. Prime Insurance also specializes in helping individuals and businesses who live a lifestyle or participate in activities that make them difficult for traditional carriers to insure. If you’ve been denied, non-renewed, or canceled coverage, don’t give up quite yet. Chances are Prime Insurance can help.
