Wrongful Death at Schlitterbahn Water Park

Each summer, thousands of children attempt to fully utilize their break from school as a time to have fun and to enjoy the outdoors. Of course, that line of reasoning sends families across the country to water parks to enjoy the various rides that parks offer and spend family time together. Unfortunately, though, there are numerous dangers that water parks pose to visitors, one of which became all too real for a Kansas family on August 8, 2016.

On that day, Scott Schwab and his family went to the Schlitterbahn Water Park in Kansas City, Kansas. During their afternoon at the Park, the Schwab children took advantage of the numerous water slides that the Park provides. One of those slides, the Verruckt, holds the Guinness World Record as the tallest water slide and drops riders 169 feet, altogether reaching speeds upwards of 65 miles per hour. After the seventeen-story drop, the slide propels riders back up an incline before finishing on a downward slope.

Caleb Schwab, ten-years-old, anxiously waited in line for his turn on the Verruckt. As the ride began, Schwab dropped 169 feet and began making his way up the first slope when his raft was launched into the protective net above the ride. Tragically, Caleb Schwab was fatally injured as a result of the accident.

The Schwab family hired an attorney and began the process of holding Schlitterbahn responsible for the wrongful death of their child. On January 11, 2017, the family, through their attorneys, reached a settlement with two Schlitterbahn entities and the manufacturer of the raft that Caleb was riding in. Additionally, Schlitterbahn Water Park has agreed that it will tear down the water slide once the court grants permission to do so.

If you or someone you know has been injured at a water park, amusement park, or any other type of recreational venue, please contact an experienced attorney at Abraham, Watkins, Nichols, Agosto, Aziz & Stogner by calling (713) 222-7211 or toll free at 713-222-7211.