Forensic medical assessment of amusement park injuries

Abstract

Objective: Amusement park injuries can cause significant harm, especially in children and adolescents. This study aims to evaluate the cases of amusement park injuries presented to the Forensic Medicine Department in Eskişehir/Turkey over a 10-year period, to publish the characteristics of the injuries and demographic data with the literature. Method: Cases of amusement park injuries presented to the Forensic Medicine Department of Eskişehir Osmangazi University Faculty of Medicine(Turkey) between 2014-2023 were retrospectively evaluated. Age, gender, injury patterns, and the content of forensic reports of the cases were assessed. Results: Over the 10-year period, 12 cases of amusement park injuries were reported to our department. Eight cases were male and four were female, with the youngest case being 13 and the oldest 23 years old. Nine cases involved falls and dragging, two involved falls and being trapped under objects, and one involved being crushed. Six cases sustained injuries that could be managed with simple medical intervention, six required more extensive medical care, and one was life-threatening. Conclusion: Amusement park injuries are forensic cases. There is confusion regarding responsibility and legislation. Legal regulations and more effective inspections are needed for the legal process in injury cases. It is essential for physicians in emergency departments to recognize that amusement park injuries are forensic cases and report them accordingly. Keywords: Amusement Park, Injury, Forensic Medicine

Keywords

• Amusement Park
• Injury
• Forensıc medicine

Ethical Statement

Çalışma ile ilgili olarak Eskişehir Osmangazi Üniversitesi Girişimsel Olmayan Klinik Araştırmalar Etik Kurulu’nun 26.07.2024 tarihli ve 153 karar sayılı onayı alınmıştır.

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