Brian White | October 17, 2024 | Personal Injury
Natural Bridge Caverns in San Antonio is one of the most popular family-friendly attractions in Texas Hill Country. Family-owned and operated since the 1960s, it offers tours of the subterranean caverns. There are also above-ground activities, like the Twisted Trails. This six-story adventure course features zip rails and a ropes obstacle course.
While it’s a great destination for family fun and adventure, accidents can happen. If you’ve been injured while visiting Natural Bridge Caverns, you may have the right to compensation for your losses.
How Can Injuries Happen At Natural Bridge Caverns?
Underground caverns naturally pose some safety risks. Injuries can happen when tour guests trip, slip, or fall on slick surfaces, rough terrain, or steps inside the caverns. Falling rocks and protruding rock formations can also pose a risk.
Improper maintenance and safety measures may cause injuries. Caverns should have railings, steps, and paths in good condition, with measures to reduce the risk of slips. There should be adequate lighting and emergency lighting, as well as clearly marked exits.
Above-ground activities can also be a source of injuries. Aerial zipline and rope courses have become popular throughout Texas and the rest of the country. However, zipline accidents are more common than many families realize. These incidents are on the rise, with almost 3,700 zipline injuries treated in emergency rooms every year.
The most common injuries include broken bones, bruises, strains and sprains, and concussions. Falls are the most common cause, followed by collisions with trees and other structures.
In most cases, operator error or negligence is the cause of accidents involving zipline and aerial adventure courses.
Common types of operator negligence include:
- Riders are sent before the line has been cleared
- The brakes are not reset properly
- Harnesses are not checked
- Miscommunication between operators
- Inadequate training of zipline operators
- Inadequate rescue procedures
- Failure to inspect and maintain harnesses, safety equipment, and zipline hardware
However, equipment failure can also cause serious accidents.
Understanding Your Legal Rights After an Injury At Natural Bridge Caverns
If you get injured at an attraction like Natural Bridge Caverns, you may have legal options to recover compensation for your injuries. The most common legal claims involve premises liability. In Texas, premises liability laws protect people injured due to a property owner’s negligence.
To file a successful premises liability claim in Texas, you must prove that:
- The property owner owed you a duty of care
- The property owner breached their duty by failing to maintain the premises
- This failure directly caused your injury
- You suffered damages as a result
As a customer, you are considered an “invitee” under Texas premises liability law. This means businesses like Natural Bridge Caverns owe you the highest duty of care. Owners must regularly inspect their premises, fix known hazards, and provide adequate warning of known risks.
If they fail to do so and you are injured, you may have a claim against the owner.
Did you suffer injuries on the Twisted Trails course? You may have a negligence-based claim against Natural Bridge Caverns. Accidents involving ziplines are often caused by negligent maintenance or training.
If your accident resulted from defective or malfunctioning equipment, you may have a claim against the manufacturer. Product liability law holds manufacturers strictly liable for faulty products.
Steps To Take If You Are Injured At Natural Bridge Caverns
It’s important to take the following steps after your accident to protect your health and your right to pursue compensation.
- Seek medical attention. Prompt medical care is essential for your health. It also creates documentation of your injuries.
- Report the incident. Notify staff or management about the accident as soon as possible. Request a written incident report and get a copy for your records.
- Gather evidence. If you can, take pictures of the scene, any hazards you think contributed to the accident, and your injuries. Get contact information from witnesses who saw the accident.
- Keep records. Track expenses and losses related to your accident, like your lost wages and medical bills. As soon as you can, write down everything you can remember about your accident.
The next step is to contact a personal injury lawyer to discuss your legal options. Claims involving premises liability and product liability are complex.
Proving liability may require an in-depth investigation and expert testimony. An experienced personal injury attorney can help you by building the strongest claim possible, negotiating on your behalf, and taking your case to court if necessary.
Contact a Texas Hill Country Personal Injury Lawyer If You Were Hurt At Natural Bridge Caverns
Have you been seriously hurt at Natural Bridge Caverns and believe it was caused by negligence or faulty equipment? Contact our law office for a free consultation with a Texas Hill Country personal injury attorney to tell your story and explore your options.
For more information, contact the Texas Hill Country personal injury law firm of Attorney Brian White Personal Injury Lawyers by calling (713) 500-5000.
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