From time to time, things can go wrong on a trip to Disney.
Magic Kingdom
It’s very normal to not have a perfect trip. Sometimes, things just go wrong and that can be a normal part of anything. But unfortunately, sometimes, the things that go wrong can be really bad. Recently, one guest had a terrible incident happen to them while at one of Disney World’s parks and is now suing the company. Here’s what we know.
At Disney World, you can find two water parks, Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach. Blizzard Beach has been closed for refurbishment for some time now, but Typhoon Lagoon is open and operating as normal.
Typhoon Lagoon
According to the Orlando Sentinel, one woman has stated that she suffered serious injuries caused by going down a waterslide at Typhoon Lagoon. She is now suing Disney for the injuries sustained while on the waterslide.
This woman claims that she went airborne while riding the slide, and her impact into the standing water at the end of the slide caused “genital lacerations and internal organ damage, requiring two hospital visits for treatment.”
Typhoon Lagoon
The lawsuit states that the effects of the injury are very serious, causing internal injuries and bleeding. She is suing for the amount of $50,000. The unfortunate incident occurred on the Humunga Kowabunga slide, according to the lawsuit details.
Part of the lawsuit notes that “riders are instructed to cross their legs at the ankles” at the top of the slide. However, the suit goes on to point out that “riders are not told why their ankles need to be crossed, the importance of doing so, or the risks of injury if one’s ankles become uncrossed” (Orlando Sentinel).
Chairlift at Typhoon Lagoon
At this point, we haven’t heard from Disney as the lawsuit moves forward. Disney is known for having safety warnings, signs, and directions posted and discussed. We’re not sure how this will play into the lawsuit. We’ll keep you updated as we learn more.
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Why do they have to explain “what ifs” when giving safety precautions? No just observe them and don’t get hurt!
And the park “failed to provide shorts” and I don’t even want to get into her husband’s complaint. What a ridiculous lawsuit.
We got a serious giggle out of this one. How much info are you supposed to put on a warning? Seriously. Just follow the instructions. Caution – hot coffee comes to mind. Also, why 4 years later?
Her injuries were horrific. I believe she has a solid case and that Disney will settle out of court.
I am at typhoon right now reading this and read about it in the news this morning. I wish I could attach pictures of some of the bathing suit choices. These string nightmares or similar to them are simply a joke. As someone who has gone down a slide and ending exposing a breast on the bottom, I tell people to use common sense, wear shorts if your going to follow the”boys” who are all wearing board shots etc. Disney can’t be responsible for what you wear and a judge will tell her that. I feel bad for her, her bathing suit must have been too tight and acted like floss, serious ouch but there are enough warnings around me and they don’t need a bigger sign.
Seriously? So if you don’t follow directions, it’s the fault of the company? I have been on many waterslides where they tell you to cross your legs but not why. Guess who follows directions?! Do we need to be told to chew our food next?
I believe the chair lift photo is from Blizzard Beach
I’ve been injured on a Disney waterpark slide before due to lowered water levels causing our duel float to almost fly off the slide over the stories high slide and instead send us flying up in the air and slamming back down upside down and knocking the wind out of us, with chest pain all day. My friend was face down in the water and due to our entanglement, had trouble lifting his head up. I thought he was going to drown. This was one of the scariest things we’ve ever had happen to us. We had so much anxiety that we couldn’t go to a park for the remainder of our trip and didn’t go to another water park for almost 7 years (even when we had passes to do so). We were treated horribly by the cast members after it happened. This was all very calculated, it seems. They wouldnt “admit wrong” (literally refused to discuss the reasoning it could have happened or the circumstance whatsoever) or even seem apologetic in any possible way. The management team just stared at us with a blank expression saying only over and over again if we want to go to the hospital they would call. Not a single “sorry that happened” or empathizing in any way.
They didn’t even want to refund our locker we just rented for the day so we could leave. This left a bad taste in our mouths about Disney for a decade that maintains itself today. Whatever you do, don’t legitimately get injured there. They will make you feel as unsupported and uncomfortable as possible while looking at you like you are wasting their time. No wonder they get sued so often. Seriously. “Customer service” was lost that day. What a sad loss.
I don’t think this is a case of not following instructions. If one is able to suffer permanent, internal injuries, then the ride likely isn’t too safe. People still talk about the hot coffee lawsuit like it was a joke but it was also made to sound trivial by media and a huge corporate company at the time. I think people who still snicker at this (and I used to be one of them) have never seen the pictures of this poor woman’s legs after several painful, grafting procedures that she had to undergo. Give it a google and hear the family’s story—absolutely horrific!
I think the how too’s and why’s should be in large print before entering the waterslide to prevent injury.
“the suit goes on to point out that “riders are not told why their ankles need to be crossed, the importance of doing so”
Maybe because common sense tells you it is for safety reasons? they tell you for a reason, it’s not just small talk to pass the time. I bet the lady is the type of person who sues because her spilled hot coffee burned her.
I’m not sure what they would put as the why. “so your swimsuit doesn’t crawl up your nether regions in a serious way” I’m trying to remember because I’m not at the parks that often, do the roller coasters tell you to stay seated with the why attached? Or maybe that’s not a good example because it’s pretty obvious. I guess since I’m one of those people who always follow rules no matter the reason I have less sympathy than I should for someone who was seriously injured.
There are rules and warnings posted all over. One has to realize that dropping from that height into water is going to have an effect.. It’s not up to Disney or any park to provide people with clothing. Many people have gone on this ride. This seems to be a lack of common sense. I find many people don’t bother to read warnings or rules and then do what they want. A little personal responsibility should be applied before making decisions to undertake rides like this.
Ok Disney Universal and all other parks, you need to shut down every thrill ride in your parks. People don’t follow the instructions and it’s the park’s fault. Guess what folks, if you haven’t noticed there is risk of injury on all the rides. If you can’t accept the risk factor and follow the rules, don’t ride the rides.
Why is following directions so hard? Why do we have to explain the reason to follow the rules? Our society is too caught up in questioning everything that we’ve lost all common sense. Oh and since that lady didn’t follow the rules, she will find someone else to blame instead of taking accountability for herself. Sheesh. Someone will pay for HER bad choice.
I am so tired of reading about the “hot coffee” case as an example of idiot people and litigation run amok. Here is the wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liebeck_v._McDonald%27s_Restaurants
The coffee was so hot that when it was spilled, the 79 year old woman woman suffered 3rd degree burns and spent 8 days in hospital for skin grafting as part of a 2 year medical process, which led to permanent disfigurement. There was also evidence of repeated complaints to McDonalds about the temperature, which was hot enough to cause 3rd degree burning in 3-12 seconds of exposure. A twelve person jury decided the case and apportioned the plaintiff to 20% responsibility.
Yes, people are responsible for reading signs. But if you cross your legs, go over a bump that uncrosses them, and then don’t have a chance to recross them, that should not lead to internal injuries and lacerations. If she’s exaggerating some superficial injury, be assured that the judge or jury will address that. Disney is not the weaker party here.
To Alexandra: They can’t say that they are sorry. Our country is ruled by lawyers. If there is any kind of lawsuit, and the party being sued has an employee or volunteer who says that they are sorry, a lawyer will interpret that as a sign of guilt.
Do what you’re told, follow the rules and you’ll be fine. It’s what most people learn in kindergarten don’t they?