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A trip to an amusement park is meant to be a good memory, not the start of a hospital stay. But ride failures happen, and when they do, the injuries can be serious. A lawsuit recently filed against Six Flags St. Louis shows how quickly a day at the water park can change.
What the Lawsuit Against Six Flags Claims
In April 2026, three young Missouri residents filed a petition for damages in St. Louis County Court. They say they were hurt on the Typhoon Twister waterslide at the park’s Hurricane Harbor on August 23, 2025. According to the filing, their multi-person tube flipped during the ride, throwing all three from their riding position.
The injuries were not minor. Court records describe spinal fractures, a concussion, and a hospital stay followed by physical and occupational therapy. The lawsuit alleges the park failed to maintain the slide, inspect it for hazards, and properly train its staff. Each plaintiff is asking for damages and a jury trial.
Who Can Be Held Responsible
A Property Owner’s Duty to Guests
When you pay admission to a park, the operator owes you a duty to keep the premises reasonably safe. That duty covers more than the grounds. It extends to the rides, the equipment, and the people running them. If a ride is poorly maintained, or an employee is not trained to operate it correctly, and someone is hurt as a result, the operator may be held liable.
This area of law is called premises liability. The injured person generally must show that the operator knew, or should have known, about a hazard and failed to address it in a reasonable amount of time.
How Missouri Regulates Ride Safety
Missouri does not leave ride safety entirely to the parks. Under the state’s Amusement Ride Safety Act, every ride must pass a safety inspection by a state-approved inspector within the prior twelve months before it can legally operate. Regulation of these rides began in 1997.
A park’s failure to meet inspection or reporting requirements can become important evidence in a personal injury claim.
Injuries Common in Ride Accidents
The harm from a ride accident depends on the type of ride and how the failure occurred. Some of the more frequent injuries include:
- Spinal fractures and back injuries
- Concussions and other head trauma
- Broken bones from being thrown or falling
- Neck and shoulder injuries
- Soft tissue damage that requires ongoing therapy
Some of these heal within weeks. Others lead to months of treatment, lost income, and limitations that follow a person home.
What to Do If You Are Hurt at a Park
If you or a family member is injured on a ride, a few steps protect both your health and any future claim. Seek medical care right away, even if the pain seems manageable at first. Keep your tickets, your photos, and the names of anyone who saw what happened. Report the incident to park staff before you leave.
A St. Louis, MO personal injury lawyer can review the facts and explain whether the operator’s conduct supports a claim. These cases often turn on maintenance and inspection records that an injured guest cannot easily obtain on their own.
At Schmittgens Injury Law Firm, we represent people who were hurt because someone else failed to act with reasonable care. If a ride injury has left you with medical bills and unanswered questions, speaking with a St. Louis personal injury lawyer can help you understand your options and the deadlines that apply to your situation.