By Anthony I. Shin, Esq. | Personal Injury Attorney | Shin Law Office
Platform Falls and Crush Injuries That Leave Guests Permanently Disabled
Kings Dominion in Doswell attracts thousands of visitors every week with its world-class roller coasters and high-energy thrill rides.
Families come for excitement.
Coaster enthusiasts come for record-setting speeds.
What almost no one expects is a catastrophic injury while simply trying to board a ride.
Yet some of the most severe accidents at Kings Dominion happen not on the ride itself but on the loading platforms, where moving parts, crowd pressure, and operator mistakes can create life-changing injuries in seconds.
As an attorney representing injured park guests throughout Virginia, I have seen how boarding area incidents can be even more dangerous than an actual coaster malfunction.
A slip on a wet platform, a misaligned gate, or a sudden ride movement can trap a rider’s leg, pull a person under a moving train, or crush a hand between mechanical components.
These injuries are preventable when amusement parks follow proper safety procedures. When they do not, the results can be tragic.
Why Boarding Platforms at Kings Dominion Are High Risk Zones
Kings Dominion operates more than sixty attractions, including thirteen roller coasters that generate significant platform activity.
The risk does not come from the thrill of the ride but from the combination of fast loading schedules, heavy crowd flow, distracted operators, and large mechanical equipment moving within feet of waiting guests.
Popular rides with high boarding risk
• Intimidator 305 with its steep loading platform and continuously moving train
• Dominator with its large restraint system and narrow boarding lanes
• Apple Zapple which often boards families with children and can create crowd congestion
• Grizzly which has uneven steps and dim lighting in certain areas
• Anaconda which uses tight boarding zones near deep mechanical pits
• Flight of Fear with extremely dark loading conditions that reduce visibility
• Twisted Timbers where the gate alignment requires careful operator supervision
• Back Lot Stunt Coaster with quick dispatch cycles that place pressure on staff
• Racer 75 which loads two trains simultaneously with multiple moving parts
• Reptilian with fast moving bobsled style vehicles
• Shenandoah Lumber Company with wet platforms that increase slip risks
• White Water Canyon where water dripping from guests and rafts keeps surfaces slick
Each of these rides has its own platform challenges, many of which become more dangerous during peak summer crowds, school field trip days, or seasonal festivals.
How Platform Injuries Happen
Boarding area injuries usually occur because staff did not follow required safety procedures. These are predictable and preventable incidents.
Slip hazards on wet or untreated platforms
Many platforms become wet from water rides, humidity, or spilled drinks. When staff fail to clean or treat these surfaces, guests can slip, fall into equipment, or strike their head on steel railings.
Riders stepping into unguarded or misaligned gaps
If a gate does not close properly or staff open it too early, guests can step directly into a moving train path or mechanical gap before the vehicle comes to a full stop.
Crush injuries from moving trains
One of the most dangerous situations occurs when a rider stands too close to the train while restraints open or close. Hands, arms, or feet can become trapped between cars or underneath wheels.
Overcrowding during boarding
When employees do not control line flow, the platform becomes congested. People are pushed from behind, causing falls into the train, into railings, or onto lower levels of the platform.
Operator distraction
If an operator fails to watch the boarding area because they are focused on restraints or dispatch timers, they may miss a guest who has tripped, become stuck, or moved into a dangerous area.
Defective gates and restraint equipment
If gates do not latch correctly or restraints malfunction, guests may lean or fall unexpectedly.
The Types of Injuries I Commonly See
Boarding area incidents often cause some of the most severe injuries in any amusement park.
Permanent crush injuries
Hands, arms, and legs can be crushed under wheels, between cars, or against steel barriers. These injuries often require surgery and can result in permanent disability.
Traumatic brain injuries
Falls onto metal platforms, head strikes against railings, or impacts with a moving vehicle can cause concussions, brain bleeding, or long term cognitive problems.
Severe orthopedic fractures
Broken hips, shattered ankles, fractured wrists, and crushed fingers are common in platform falls or entrapment incidents.
Deep lacerations and tissue injuries
Sharp edges, metal grates, and exposed components can cause severe cuts that require emergency treatment.
Spinal injuries
A sudden fall or twisting impact can cause herniated discs, nerve compression, or lifelong mobility issues.
Why Kings Dominion May Be Liable
Kings Dominion has a legal duty to enforce safety rules, maintain clean platforms, train operators, and monitor boarding conditions that pose a danger.
When they fail to do this, their negligence becomes the direct cause of the injury.
Examples of park negligence include the following.
• Allowing guests to board before the train is secured
• Failing to control the flow of riders on the platform
• Not cleaning wet or slick surfaces
• Failing to supervise areas near moving parts
• Ignoring broken gates or misaligned loading equipment
• Rushing dispatch times during busy days
• Not training new operators to identify hazards
What You Should Do After a Boarding Injury
If you or a loved one was hurt while boarding a ride at Kings Dominion, take the following steps.
• Seek immediate medical treatment
• Take photos of the platform, the gate, and the ride vehicle
• Get the names of any employees who witnessed the incident
• Ask for an incident report
• Speak to an attorney before giving any statements to Kings Dominion
How I Can Help
I investigated how the platform was operated, whether staff were adequately trained, and whether Kings Dominion complied with state safety requirements.
My goal is to uncover what went wrong and pursue full compensation for medical bills, lost income, long-term disability, and pain and suffering.
If you were hurt while boarding a ride at Kings Dominion, you do not need to handle this alone.
I am here to protect your rights every step of the way.
Call 571-445-6565 or book a consultation online today.
— Anthony I. Shin, Esq.
Principal Attorney | Shin Law Office
