On Aug. 16, a worker was injured while working on a zip line at the Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota. The workplace injury occurred while the employee was working at the Nickelodeon Universe indoor amusement park. At about 11:15 a.m., a piece of equipment on the east platform of the Barnacle Blast ride caused injuries to the employee.
Following the accident, the worker was helped into an ambulance by Bloomington police officers and members of mall security. The worker was reportedly treated for his injuries at the hospital and then released. The ride where the accident occurred was shut down for approximately one hour after the incident. During that time, mall officials conducted an inspection in which they came to the conclusion that the ride was working and safe to be used.
According to the website for Nickelodeon Universe, the zip line where the worker was injured is one part of a course called Dutchman’s Deck adventure course. People who ride the zip line reach heights of 55 feet. In order to prevent falls, workers who are doing maintenance on the ride are obligated to wear harnesses.
After a workplace injury occurs, injured workers should inform their supervisor about the incident immediately. A workers’ compensation claim form should then be obtained and completed as soon as possible. If the worker is not physically capable of filing a claim or wants to be absolutely sure that it is done properly, they may choose to enlist the assistance of an attorney. Although the worker waives the right to sue the employer for negligence if a workers’ compensation claim is filed, there may be a possibility of pursuing a personal injury claim against a negligent third party if the circumstances so dictate.
Source: Winona Daily News, “Zip line reopens after accident at Mall of America”, August 17, 2014
Source: Winona Daily News, “Zip line reopens after accident at Mall of America”, August 17, 2014