At this time of the year, water parks in Ontario are opening. Water parks can be a great and fun way to spend your hot Summer days. Unfortunately, you can also get injured at a water park. In facts, hundreds of people are injured every year in water parks across the province of Ontario. While most injuries involve waterslides, other injuries are due to slippery walkways, unsafe waters and unreliable supervision or surveillance.

When you go to a water park, you have the right to be safe. For this reason, the Technical Standards & Safety Authority (TSSA) regulates and inspects slides at amusement parks and water parks in Ontario. The TSSA is a non-profit provincial organization that provides public safety services in its role as Delegated Administrative Authority for Ontario safety legislation. If a slide is unsafe, the TSSA can order that it be removed and can recommend that the Ontario government lay charges against the water park or amusement park.

Under the Occupiers’ Liability Act of Ontario, water parks have a duty to make sure that the grounds are reasonably safe for visitors. In exchange, visitors must be careful while they are at the water park.

A water park can limit its duty to make sure that visitors are safe but it must bring this restriction to the attention of the visitors. This is often done be having visitors sign waivers of liability or by posting signs with possible risks at the entrance of the water park.

If you or your child has been injured at a water park, you should consult a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. You may have the right to a sum of money as compensation for your pain, your suffering and your lost wages.

Even if you have signed a waiver or there are warning signs posted, the water park may be liable for your injuries and damages. In a lawsuit, the court will find that a water park is responsible for someone’s injuries if the water park:

• Did not do what was reasonable to make sure that the visitors were safe

• Could have reasonably anticipated the risks of an injury.

If the water park is found responsible for your injuries, the court will then decide the amount of money that you should receive as compensation. If you were injured at a water park in Ontario, speak with a personal injury lawyer to learn and understand your rights.