The Grizzly River Run ride at Disneyland turned out to have some grisly consequences for one unfortunate woman.
When Maria Watts of Rancho Cucamonga CA stepped onto the Grizzly River Run ride at Disneyland, she was expecting a “thrilling whitewater raft adventure that takes you roaring down a California river in the Sierra Nevada mountains” as per Disney’s description of the ride. What she got was an accident that left her in need of multiple oral surgeries.
According to Watts, the ride went along normally until rapids flung her raft into a wall. The impact caused injuries to her teeth and jaw. She has had oral surgery to repair her cracked front teeth, and may need an additional surgery to relieve TMJD caused by the accident. TMJD or temporomandibular joint dysfunction affects the muscles and joints between the jawbone and the skull, causing pain and limiting movement.
Watts alleges that a Disney representative told her that the accident happened because one of two arms that were supposed to catch the raft failed to open. However, Disney’s current position is that it is unaware of any malfunction.
In any case, it seems clear that slamming into a wall is not a normal part of the ride, so something must have gone wrong. Watts is currently suing Disney on the grounds that their failure to maintain the ride in safe condition caused her injury. She is seeking over $25,000 in damages.
Have You Been Injured at an Amusement Park?
Roller coasters, whitewater raft rides, spinning rides, and other thrill rides all have the potential to injure as well as exhilarate. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, thousands of people are injured on amusement park rides each year. Injuries can range from minor cuts and bruises to broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and even death. But are these people entitled to compensation?
The answer depends on what caused the accident and whether negligence was involved. Common causes of amusement park accidents include mechanical failure, improper operation, passenger misconduct, and the inherent nature of the ride—some spinning rides are so forceful they can cause cerebral hemorrhages or hematomas.
When accidents are caused by negligence, the negligent party can be sued. For example, in the Watts woman’s case, she would have to show that Disney was negligent in maintenance or repair of the ride, and this caused the malfunctions and her injuries.
If you have been hurt at an amusement park, you will need professional help untangling the liability issues, determining if you have grounds for a personal injury claim, and then pursuing that claim. Fortunately, The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker is here to provide the effective and aggressive representation you need. To learn more, call us at 800-333-0000 now.
