Honeysuckle Hill Farm in Tennessee had to shut down its new zip line attraction just a few days after its unveiling due to an injury. The company did not release the name of the injured party or the details of the accident.
This is the latest zip line accident to give tourists pause about signing up for a zip line tour. In May, a Georgia graduate student contracted flesh-eating bacteria on a homemade zip line. Aimee Copeland cut her leg when the lined snapped over a river. Doctors have amputated her hands, right foot and left leg below the hip.
It is important to note that Copeland’s accident took place on a homemade zip line instead of an official zip line course, many of which follow the standards established by the Professional Ropes Course Association (PRCA) or the Association for Challenge Course Technology (ACCT). Here are some things to keep in mind about zip line safety:
- Zip lining is largely unregulated. Currently, there are no federal regulations regarding zip line courses in the United States. Four states – Missouri, West Virginia, Florida and Massachusetts – investigate zip line courses for safety issues. Check the course’s website to see if it adheres to PRCA or ACCT standards.
- Read the waiver carefully. Most zip line operations require guests to sign a waiver before strapping on a harness, and that waiver often releases the company from liability in the case of severe injury and even death.
- Listen to your guides. Most zip line or canopy tours employ trained guides to lead tour groups through the course. Follow their instructions carefully.
- Know your limits. If you hate heights and fast speeds, a zip line tour might not be for you.
Did you sustain a broken bone or major head injury on a zip line course? If so, you might be able to seek justice even if you signed a waiver. Contact us today to discuss your options at no charge.
“I said in my heart, God will judge the righteous and the wicked, for there is a time for every matter and for every work.” – Ecclesiastes 3:17
The Law Office of Stanley A. Davis – Nashville injury lawyer