Shore News Today has reported that the family of a young girl that lost her life after falling from a Ferris Wheel, is seeking legal advice as to whether or not to file a lawsuit that may force change in Ferris Wheel safety.
At approximately 12:30 p.m. on June 3, A.J., an 11 year-old girl at the time of her death, fell from a "Giant Wheel" at Morey's Mariner's Landing Pier. She was taken to the Cape Regional Medical Center, in Cape May Court House, and died from her injuries shortly after.
According to a press release issued from law firm's representing the family, D'Amato of Egg Harbor Township and Saltz Mongeluzzi Barrett & Bendesky of Philadelphia, the family is seeking answers to why the accident occurred that caused the death of their child.
The family is also, per the release, looking to advocate Ferris wheel safety.
Paul D'Amato stated, "The family is shocked and overwhelmed with grief. They cannot understand how what was supposed to be a fun, supervised afternoon at Morey's Pier, could turn deadly. (A.J.) was a wonderful daughter, a caring sister to her siblings and an exceptional student with a bright future.
We owe it to the family and the entire community to determine how this senseless tragedy happened and not be quick to dismiss it as a 'freak accident.'"
Mongeluzzi added, "We will need to determine if the ride was safe to operate, if the operators that day were all qualified, whether all rules for operation were followed, and, of course, why an 11-year-old was riding alone in an open-air car that has no restraints."
Vekoma International built the 156-foot-high - which is approximately 10 stories -
Giant Wheel. It opened at the pier in 1985.
When A.J. fell she was about 100 feet from the ground.
Each gondola on the Ferris Wheel has steel bars that allow the doors to open inward and are latched from the outside - but there are no lap bars or seat belt restraints inside.
The officials at Morey's Mariner's Landing Pier require all Ferris Wheel riders to be at least 54 inches tall or they must be accompanied by an adult. The maximum number of patrons per gondola is 4.
A.J. rode alone.
There are no eyewitnesses of her fall per police. Police also stated that there appeared to be no mechanical or operational errors.
The Ferris Wheel passed its annual inspection by the state's Department of Community Affairs on March 17.
W.M., the Morey's Pier President, stated that all of the rides are inspected by in-house officials daily.
A.J.'s parents, T.J. and B.J., told NBC's Today Show that they wanted some kind of restraint added to Ferris Wheels. At the show's taping on June 14 T.J. said, "We don't want another child to be hurt."
The state Department of Community Affairs has already mandated - since A.J.'s death - that all Ferris Wheel gondolas are to hold a minimum of two people per ride if they have open compartments.
The Ferris Wheel A.J. fell from has been closed and remains so indefinitely.
Unsure as to whether the death of a loved one would be deemed a wrongful death in a lawsuit? Contact a personal injury lawyer today to discuss your particular case and its ramifications.