Who Is Liable for Injuries at Public Skate Parks?

Injuries are commonplace at skate parks. Even the best of the best who skateboard, rollerblade, ride bikes, and more wear protective gear to try and prevent the most serious of injuries. However, even with a helmet and a full set of pads, injuries can still occur, especially when a skate park isn’t properly cared for or maintained. If you were seriously injured at a skate park because of this, you may be able to file a premises liability claim in Nevada. Read on to learn if your situation is covered by state law.

Common Injuries at Skate Parks

According to data collected by the National Safety Council, around 230,506 skateboarders suffer injuries that required a visit to the emergency room in 2022. Only about one in three skateboarding injuries involve new skaters, but 61,546 of those injuries involve someone between the ages of 15-24. Some of the most common injuries skateboarders deal with include:

• Broken bones
• Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
• Lacerations
• Sprained and dislocated joints
• Bruising
• Broken teeth
• Face injuries

The vast majority of injuries skateboarders deal with, approximately 74%, are to extremities. Fatalities are extremely uncommon — almost all reported skateboard-related deaths involved a vehicle.

When Can I File a Lawsuit if I Was Injured at a Skate Park?

All public skate parks have specific regulations that not only outline when the facility can be used, but also what equipment is permitted among other responsibilities users are expected to follow. In many cases, these rules state a lack of liability — for example, the City of Reno’s website states that it “does not assume responsibility for injuries arising from any use of this facility.” However, this line of text on a website does not necessarily absolve the city of culpability if someone at the park suffers a serious injury.

Nevada law outlines the steps that should be taken in case of an injury, as well as when the park cannot be held liable. NRS 455B.280 states that park operators have a duty to minimize dangers and conditions within their control, and that parks cannot be held liable for injuries sustained in an area not designed for skating and other similar equipment’s use. The statute also states that someone injured at a skate park needs to notify the park operator, agent, or employee as soon as reasonably possible.

It’s that duty to minimize dangers that’s the key to potentially having a claim to file a lawsuit against the responsible parties. An experienced premises liability lawyer can help you break down and understand what options you have at your disposal, and can help you build a case to fight for the compensation you deserve. Some of the most common maintenance and structural issues that can lead to injuries at a skate park include:

• Poorly maintained spaces with debris, broken glass, cracked concrete, etc. creating unnecessary hazards.
• Defective equipment like loose rails, unstable ramps, broken pipes, etc.
• Inadequate lighting, or lighting that needs to be replaced to properly illuminate the area after dark.
• Inadequate signage warning of hazardous or restricted spaces.

In most cases, the park operator could be held liable, but if defective or damaged equipment contributed to the injury, the manufacturer of those items could also potentially be held liable. In all cases, discussing the events leading up to your accident with your lawyer will help you get a better idea of who you can potentially pursue legal action against.

If you were seriously injured at a skate park in Nevada, you may be able to file a lawsuit. If you are looking to explore your legal options, the Law Office of Matthew L. Sharp is ready to listen and help. An experienced Reno premises liability attorney can help walk you through your options and build a case that can help you secure the compensation you deserve. Our firm has represented injured victims throughout Nevada, and are ready to use that experience fighting for you. Give us a call or fill out our online form to give us the details of your case today.