Zip Line Ziplining Injury, and Canopy Tour Accidents and Fatal Injuries

Zip Lines, ziplining and Tree-top Canopy Tours are growing in popularity. As the industry grows so do zip line injuries. A study showed a 50% increase in zip line related injuries from 2009 to 2012 with children ages 9 years old and under accounting for 45% of all injuries and children ages 10 to 19 accounting for 33%.

77% of all zip line-related injuries are due to falls and 13% of accident injuries happen when the user collides with a tree, stationary support structure or another person. 10% of the people injured in zip line accidents require hospitalization. The most common injuries are bone fractures which makeup 46% of all injuries.

Zip line parks and businesses are now regulated by the federal government.

Beginning in 2008, The Massachusetts Department of Public Safety began regulating commercial zip line businesses in Massachusetts. All zip line businesses in Massachusetts must comply with guidelines produced by the The Association for Challenge Course Technology(ACCT) which is the largest American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Accredited Standards Developer focused specifically and solely on the challenge course industry. The ACCT has regulations for building zip line courses, annual inspections, daily equipment checks, operator training and an operations manual.

Zip Lines, Ziplining Facilities and Tree-Top Canopy Tours in Massachusetts

The State of Massachusetts regulations of Zip Lines and Zip Tours require annual permitting for mobile sites, as well as the following:

“Initial inspection performed by licensed insurance representative approved by state Public Safety Office – if an accident occurs or if anyone is injured a State Department Engineer steps in. Annual and intermittent inspection of mobile rides. Annual on-site inspection of fairs, carnivals, circuses, etc. upon entering the state. Intermittent on-site inspection of mobile rides as progress through state. Fixed sites also inspected by insurance company, inspection is reported to the Public Safety Office with no follow-up from state.”(1)

In 2008 Massachusetts starting regulating zip lines, ropes courses and climbing walls. The state refferes back to the ACCT standards.

  • TreeTop Adventures — Canton (200 New Boston Drive, Canton, Massachusetts) – New in 2016, TreeTop Adventures zips into the Greater Boston market with 15 zip lines and 100+ Aerial “Bridge Challenges”! This Aerial Forest Park has 10 color coded “Tree Trails” of varying difficulty, so there is something for everyone from beginner to expert (ages 7 and up). The three hour experience features a 30 minute harnessing and safety briefing, then participants climb in the trees for 2.5 hours.
  • The Adventure Park at Heritage — Sandwich (67 Grove Street, Sandwich, Massachusetts) The Adventure Park provides family fun for ages 7 and up. This aerial forest adventure is fun, exciting and safe for all participants. We provide a harness and equipment and give you a safety briefing that demonstrates how to climb and zip line in the park. There are 5 separate trails of varying levels of difficulty. Each trail has zip lines but primarily consist of “bridges” between tree platforms made of rope, cable and wood configurations creating over 65 unique challenges. You will develop skills, endurance, and confidence during your time in the Park.
  • Exxcel Gym — Newton (88 Wells Ave, Newton, Massachusetts 02459) 100-foot indoor zip line with many other features such as a indoor climbing wall, a trampoline with bungee and birthday party rooms.
  • Deerfield Valley — Charlemont (7 Main Street, Charlemont, Massachusetts 01339) – 11 zip lines, 2 sky bridges, 3 rappels for a 3 hour aerial trek. Tree-based platforms that give views of the Deerfield River Valley and beyond. 2 guides with every 8 guests.
  • Berkshire East Zip Line Canopy Tours (66 Thunder Mt. Road, Charlemont, Massachusetts) – New England’s Largest and Most Exciting Canopy Zip Line Tour. Three Different Tours for all levels.-25 Zip Lines- 4.14 miles of Zip Lines with speeds in excess of 50 mph, this zip is the culmination of the tour and is the ultimate zip in all of New England.

Homemade and Backyard Zip Line Accidents

Homemade zip lines are not regulated in Massachusetts and they can be very dangerous. A 10-year-old boy died in a backyard zip line accident in Easton, Massachusetts in 2014 when the tree that held the zip line fell on the child.

Zip Line Accident Victims May be Entitled to Compensation in Massachusetts

If you or a loved one has been injured or killed in a zip line accident then call The Law Offices of Gerald J. Noonan today. We have a proven track record with over 35 years of legal experience helping accident victims and their families and we are ready to take on your case today.

We offer a free, no-obligation legal consultation to help you understand your rights and the value of your case.

No matter where you are located, we are just a phone call away. Call an experienced Brockton, MA Personal Injury Lawyer to schedule a free no-obligation case review and consultation at (508) 588-0422 and you will have taken your first step to find out how best to obtain civil justice and compensation for your injuries. You can also click here to use our Free Case Evaluation Form.

Our law firm is available to assist clients throughout Massachusetts, including but not limited to: Plymouth County including Brockton, Plymouth, Bridgewater, Wareham, Abington, Rockland, Whitman, Hanson, Holbrook Middleboro; Norfolk County including Quincy, Stoughton, Dedham, Weymouth, Braintree, Randolph, Canton, Sharon, Brookline, Franklin; Bristol County including New Bedford, Fall River, Taunton, Wrentham, Attleboro, Mansfield, Easton, Raynham; and Middlesex County including Cambridge, Lowell, Somerville, Newton, Woburn, Framingham, Malden, Chelsea, Everett, Arlington, Medford and Waltham; Cape Cod, Barnstable, Hyannis, Falmouth; Springfield & Worcester; Essex County including Lynn, Lawrence, Peabody, Haverhill; and the Greater Boston area including, Revere, Dorchester, and Roxbury.New Bedford, Fall River, Taunton, Attleboro, Westport, Dartmouth, Mansfield, Easton, Raynham, Lakeville, Norton; Cape Cod, Hyannis, Falmouth, Barnstable and the Greater Boston area including Cambridge, Somerville, Medford, Everett, Lawrence, Lynn, Revere, Dorchester, Roxbury.

References

(1) Zip Line Inspections, Massachusetts.