A group of independent investigators recently travelled to Schlitterbahn water park to examine the deadly waterslide, which took the life of a 10-year-old Olathe-boy over the summer. The team of engineers is expected to comb over every inch of the attraction, which also injured two women, to find out what exactly when wrong on the fateful day that ended in tragedy.

According to reports, the young victim (who was also the son of a Kansas state legislator) died after suffering a serious neck injury going down the water slide. Some who covered the incident even speculated the boy was completely decapitated in the event.

Part of what the public knows so far is the ride, which sends patrons down a the world’s tallest waterslide at over 50 miles per hour, has a weight requirement to keep the craft on the track. Some are speculating the combined weight of the boy and two women may not have been enough to comply with the 500-lb. weight needed.

Olathe wrongful death lawsuits

The independent investigators, hired by the boy’s family and the two other female victims, will likely examine the design and manufacture of the structure as well as any maintenance records or calls for service. Depending on the results of the inquiry, attorneys for the victims may assert the accident was foreseeable and that the owners of the park should be held responsible for the boy’s death.

While the investigation is still in the early stages, the boy’s family and the other victims could end up filing personal injury lawsuits against the water park’s owners and operators to recover for their injuries. Victims in civil lawsuits can recover compensation for their lost wages, pain and suffering, hospital bills, and other damages.

Under Kansas wrongful death laws, families of victims killed by the negligence of others are entitled to recover up to $250,000 in a wrongful death lawsuit. Although no amount of money can bring back the ones we love, the law prescribes monetary compensation as the means to hold wrongdoers accountable for their actions.

Let our Olathe personal injury lawyers help you

If you or a loved one suffered a personal injury, contact the Morrison Law Firm, LLC to speak to one of our Olathe personal injury lawyers about your case. As a former Kansas Attorney General, Paul Morrison knows what it takes to get justice for his clients and hold wrongdoers accountable for their reckless actions. Call (913) 780-6666 today. 

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A Parsons man who alleges he suffered a traumatic brain injury in what he claims was an unlawful arrest recently filed a personal injury lawsuit against the city and the officer, claiming they are responsible for his injuries. The suit asks for a total of $150,000 ($75,000 against for each count in the suit), punitive damages, and attorney’s fees as compensation for the event.

The case began in March 2015 when the plaintiff was beckoned out of his home by the arresting officer following a pair of confrontations with neighbors. Upon leaving opening his front door and exiting the threshold, the plaintiff claims he was immediately placed in handcuffs by the officer named as a defendant in the Kansas personal injury lawsuit.

Lawsuit alleges excessive force, improper training of officer

During the arrest, the plaintiff claims he was subdued to the ground with such force he sustained a brain aneurysm and needed to undergo an emergency craniectomy for evacuation of a subdural hematoma at Kansas University Medical Center. Because of the injury, the plaintiff required extended hospitalization for a period of approximately three weeks.

A second claim alleges the city failed to properly train the arresting officer in the art of detaining suspects accused of crimes. The claim states the city did not prepare the arresting officer for the proper procedure in which force may use force to “take down” a suspect; specifically that violent force should not always be used.

The lawsuit contends the victim’s arrest was unlawful and that the arresting officer was unsure of what crime to even charge the suspect with but eventually settled on the charge of disorderly conduct after placing the plaintiff in handcuffs. The suit claims the city has an “illegal policy” of encouraging officers to initiate these kinds of arrests.

Negligent supervision and training lawsuits

When victims are hurt because an employer failed to take reasonable steps to ensure that potentially dangerous individuals are hired or to provide the right training and supervision to those on the job, these parties may be held liable for their actions in negligent supervision and training lawsuits. Victims may be entitled to compensation for their lost wages, medical bills, and pain and suffering.

If someone harmed you while they were in the course of performing their work duties, contact our office or call (913) 780-6666 a consultation about your case. The Morrison Law Firm, LLC is located in Olathe and represents clients throughout Kansas.

The post Parsons Man Files Personal Injury Lawsuit Against City appeared first on Paul Morrison Law.

A woman recently filed a $1.3 million lawsuit against the Topeka city government after falling through the center median of the Kansas Avenue Bridge while trying to cross the street. Her claim alleges city officials failed to implement OSHA safety measures when it made improvements to the bridge in the late 1990s.

The case began in June 2014 when the plaintiff was looking for her ride home after being released from the Shawnee County jail. While traveling on foot on the sidewalk of the Kansas Avenue Bridge, the plaintiff noticed her ride home was on the other side of the median. In her attempt to cross the road to meet her friend, the plaintiff fell 30 feet below the bridge after traversing a concrete barrier.

The woman’s suit seeks $500,000 for disfigurement, $300,000 for medical bills and $250,000 each for “disability and loss of enjoyment” and “past present and future pain and suffering.” City officials are scheduled to take up the matter in early May.

City Officials Leaning Towards Denying The Victim’s Claim

Topeka’s city attorney indicated she will recommend the city deny the plaintiff’s claim, asserting the city may put forth a myriad of legal defenses to avoid liability in the case. Among possible defenses the city may assert would be a sign on the bridge indicating no foot access across the median.

Under Kansas’ comparative negligence laws, plaintiffs deemed to be at least 50 percent at fault for their own injuries may not be able to collect awards from the courts. Plaintiffs deemed to be less than 50 percent at fault may have their award reduced accordingly.

Kansas Personal Injury Lawsuits

Comparative negligence laws can make it difficult for plaintiffs to successfully prosecute claims against otherwise negligence parties. Defendants may often assert the victim was responsible for their own injuries thereby denying them justice.

For these reasons and many others, injury victims should strongly consider retaining a qualified Kansas personal injury attorney to aid them in their endeavor. Attorneys have the legal training and resources to properly prosecute these types of claims and impress upon courts the seriousness of the claim.

Kansas Personal Injury Attorneys

If you or a loved one was hurt due to the negligence or carelessness of another, contact The Morrison Law Firm by calling (913) 780-6666 for a free consultation about your case. Our experienced Kansas personal injury attorneys have years of experience aiding victims in their time of need and are fully prepared to do the same for you. 

The post Woman Sues Topeka City Government For $1.3 Million After Falling 30 Feet Off Bridge appeared first on Paul Morrison Law.