The Walt Disney Company is one of the largest and most profitable entertainment companies in the world. The company has found great success not in one, but in at least 5 distinct areas on entertainment including film production, theme parks and resorts, consumer products, television properties, and digital products including video games and Internet products. There is little doubt that Disney is a cultural and economic behemoth in today’s world.
Perhaps because of Disney’s omnipresence in many people’s lives, people seem to begin to believe that Disney can bend the rules of reality. Or maybe the venerable characters combined with the splendor of the parks evoke long-lost elements of our childhood innocence thereby causing us to drop our guard slightly. Unfortunately, and despite the Disney magic, the laws of physics and normal rules of life still apply in Disney parks – even the Magic Kingdom. Guests can be seriously injured just like any where else in the world. The experienced attorneys of The Reiff Law Firm work to hold amusement park owners and operators accountable for the injuries you may have suffered on their park grounds.
How Did this Latest Disney Accident Occur?
It is still not exactly clear as to what caused the accident on the Pirates of the Caribbean ride at Disney’s Magic Kingdom in Orlando, Florida. However what is is clear is a male guest from the UK was injured on the ride. According to statements made by Bo Jones of the Reedy Creek Fire Department, the tip of the guest’s pinky and ring finger were severed. The injured guest was taken to a local hospital for treatment. Disney park officials shuttered the ride for an investigation which lasted a minimum of 5 hours. Reports indicate that the ride was reopened at approximately 5 P.M., local time.
Despite the fact that the results of the investigation have yet to be announced, people have speculated as to the cause of injury. Most speculation involved improper and prohibited action by the guest causing the injury. One anonymous source claimed the rider had his hand in the water where it may have been caught on an underwater hazard of some type. Another report claimed the guest had his hand in the water as his boat traveled down the small hill.
Accidents Can Happen Anywhere – Even at Disney World
Although Disney is safe for millions of visitors every year, serious injury and death can occur at any theme park including Disney World. While the earliest death in the park occurred back in 1977, it, unfortunately, seems that injury and death at the park have continued through the 2000s to the present day. Recent serious injuries at the Magic Kingdom park in Florida include:
- February 2005 – A 77-year–old Minnesota woman lost consciousness after riding the Pirate of the Caribbean attraction. She passed away shortly after losing consciousness due to natural causes.
- February 2007 – An elderly woman tripped and fell while exiting a car on the Haunted Mansion attraction. She suffered a broken hip.
- August 9, 2009 – A Disney employee was seriously injured during the performance of the Captain Jack’s Pirate tutorial Show. He suffered a broken vertebra and numerous lacerations. He passed away from his injuries after several days of hospital care.
- March 14, 2010 – A Disney employee’s leg was broken while operating the Tomorrowland Speedway attraction. Wrongful action by a guest is believed to have contributed.
- December 12, 2010 – An elderly woman collapsed after riding the Prince Charming Regal Carousel. She passed away shortly after losing consciousness. The death is believed to have been due to natural causes.
- March 23, 2014 – A park guest suffered a broken fibula while attempting to board the Jungle Cruise attraction. Complications, including a blood clot, leading to the guest’s death several days later.
While many people enjoy their time at an amusement park safely and happily, injury can occur when you least expect it. Even when it comes to amusement parks, there is no such thing as too big to fail.
If you have been injured or if a loved one has been wrongfully killed at a theme park, amusement park, fair or carnival the experienced personal injury lawyers of The Reiff Law Firm can stand up for you. To schedule your free and confidential injury consultation call our Philadelphia office today at (215) 709-6940 or contact us online.
