Florida Amusement Park Injury Attorney :: Disabled Man Stuck on Disneyland Ride Awarded $8K in Damages

A federal judge awarded $8,000 to a quadriplegic man Friday who became stuck on Disneyland’s “It’s a Small World” ride for about 30 minutes after it broke down in 2009. The man and his wife sued Disney in 2011 following the incident on Nov. 27, 2009.

They claimed that Disney should have adequately warned visitors that the ride posed a unique risk of harm to disabled persons. The couple also noted in their suit that Disney should have been on notice regarding the ride since it had broken down twice earlier on that same day.

The wheelchair-bound man became stuck on the ride as it went through a cave called the “goodbye room.” The man said that as the ride stopped, he got stuck while other passengers were evacuated. He apparently requested for his boat to be moved slightly so that he could exit, but ultimately there was no way to evacuate him. The man said that being stuck in the ride was extremely dangerous to him because he suffers panic attacks and has dysreflexia, a condition that can elevate blood pressure to unsafe levels.

The man’s lawsuit alleged that Disney was at fault for continuing to operate the risky ride and failing to notify disabled persons that there was no way to evacuate should an emergency situation arise. The man claims had he been warned properly, he would not have gotten on the ride. The judge ultimately threw out many of the man’s claims, but did find Disney liable for premises liability.

In general, amusement park operators must keep their premises safe for guests. The judge felt that Disney failed to live up to its duty by operating the faulty ride and not providing the man with the appropriate information needed to make an informed decision on whether or not to get on the ride. The judge ruled that Disney “should have known that there was a likelihood of harm to a disabled person, as reflected in its own standards for that ride.” Accidents can happen anywhere, but amusement and theme parks must perform routine safety inspections and employ highly trained employees to operate the rides.

When rides fail due to negligence of any kind, it can quickly become a danger zone for paying guests and visitors. If you or someone you love has been injured or suffered any harm from a ride at a Florida carnival, amusement, or theme park, a Florida Amusement Park Injury Attorney at Whittel & Melton can best advise you of your legal options.