[b1wife]

I can understand the need to wait until she is a legal adult, but the low amount of money asked for certainly reeks of "I-need-some-money-and-they're-a-big-corporation-who-will-pay-me-just-to-make-it-go-away." How sad for that woman that she has to go this extreme to make a buck, exploiting her daughter.

[LittleMissMagic]

Sheesh.

I think she's waited too long for this lawsuit. It happened 3-4 years ago. She knew about this "brain hemorrhage" while she was still in the park - before she left Florida. I'd like to know whether she ended up in first aid or talked to Disney officials then.

Now.... I know that by 2006, they had switched to seatbelt restraints (from the bar restraint) for ToT. I was pretty sure this happened when they added the "no ride the same" concept - wasn't that in 2005?

I'd like to know if it was a seatbelt constraint or bar constraint that supposedly caused this problem.

Also - for as long as I can remember, there has been a long list of Warnings placed in several locations throughout the ride queue on every ride. I know that on ToT there's a door that you can exit through if you decide not to ride the ride. Why did she not read these warnings? (I mean... you're bored in line - what else is there for you to do?)

This is probably a health-related issue that she didn't know of before her ToT visits. In which case, it's her own *insert Jimmy Buffett's word* fault.

[KittieKChick]

Originally Posted by LittleMissMagic

This is probably a health-related issue that she didn't know of before her ToT visits. In which case, it's her own *insert Jimmy Buffett's word* fault.

Haha. Very nicely put.

[WDW92]

This lawsuit is ridiculous. There are signs that warn you about the ride. She rode the ride several times, right? Then she passed the sign several times when she entered the ride. She had to of seen the signs, which is right by the entrance.

[Experiment6-2-6]

Originally Posted by Dopey

I am wondering that even if she "doesn't have a leg to stand on" what is the history of Disney paying off any such claims before letting it go to trial.

My understanding is that the Mouse is well lawyered.

As for settling, it would depend on the circumstances, but I believe most cases are not "settled" for nuisance value by Disney. Especially since some folks believe such settlements are akin to putting "Blood into the water".

This sort of fear stems from the idea that by settling such suits Disney would be encouraging slip and fall suits.

For example, if a customer slips on a ketchup splat at Big Kahuna Burger. If the lawyers decide to settle "cause it's only a small amount", that's where the danger for Big Kahuna Burger comes in. Suddenly the Big Kahuna Burger Chain is finding lots of their clientele are filing slip and fall suits wherever a Big Kahuna Burger is located.

Most large Corporartions face huge exposure because of the large number of potential plaintiffs that walk through their front doors. So when there is a threat of litigation, the Corporation usually goes out of their way to avoid encouraging the bottom feeding lawyers hoping for clients who think they're gonna hit the lottery. The bean counters believe it's cheaper in the long run to pay the lawyers to defend against any suit rather than pay out like a Vegas slot machine.

[#1DDfan]

This really seems suspicious to me. I agree with everyone here. Why wait so long to file a lawsuit and why only sue for $15,000? I too am very sorry the woman suffered but I certainly don't feel Disney is responsible. There are numerous safety signs posted at of those thrill rides. Even the pamphlets or park guide maps have safety precautions listed. I've noticed that there are actually Amusement Park Accident Lawyers listed on the Internet. I never knew there were lawyers that specialized in suing amusement parks.

[DisneyTeacher]

Just silly.

Leanne Deacon and her mother, both of Kibworth, England, filed the lawsuit Wednesday in Orlando circuit court. They are seeking at least $15,000.

It says at least $15,000 so it could be any amount over that.

[PhilliesFan]

Originally Posted by Experiment6-2-6

My understanding is that the Mouse is well lawyered.

Most large Corporartions face huge exposure because of the large number of potential plaintiffs that walk through their front doors. So when there is a threat of litigation, the Corporation usually goes out of their way to avoid encouraging the bottom feeding lawyers hoping for clients who think they're gonna hit the lottery. The bean counters believe it's cheaper in the long run to pay the lawyers to defend against any suit rather than pay out like a Vegas slot machine.

You are so correct. I've handled large exposure claims for large corporations, and the thought process is to pay only the claims that have merit, and I have paid out some big dollars. If the claim has no merit, they will pay $$$$$ for legal costs rather then pay the claimant voluntarily.

[dznygrl]

Originally Posted by WishUponAStar

Oh goodness gracious.

That about sums up my thoughts too!


And on a completely un-related threadjack note - Lisa (PhilliesFan), I am SO jealous that you guys got my boy (Raul Ibanez)!! Treat him well; he's my 3rd-favorite ball player of all time.

[rlcarmichael]

Originally Posted by alilmagical32

There are warning signs in Its a Small World for heaven's sake-- I know there are TONS on ToT. I'm sorry she had a heart attack, but common. Its not Disney's fault

That's so true...

It wasn't easy but I hacked into the security cameras at ISAW and was able to snag a picture of one of the warning signs. Disney often uses hidden images (subliminal) so this may not look exactly like the one YOU saw but hey, the camera doesn't lie.

[Dopey]

Originally Posted by Experiment6-2-6

Most large Corporartions face huge exposure because of the large number of potential plaintiffs that walk through their front doors. So when there is a threat of litigation, the Corporation usually goes out of their way to avoid encouraging the bottom feeding lawyers hoping for clients who think they're gonna hit the lottery. The bean counters believe it's cheaper in the long run to pay the lawyers to defend against any suit rather than pay out like a Vegas slot machine.

Hearing that really makes me happy

[PrincessJill]

Originally Posted by rlcarmichael

That's so true...

It wasn't easy but I hacked into the security cameras at ISAW and was able to snag a picture of one of the warning signs. Disney often uses hidden images (subliminal) so this may not look exactly like the one YOU saw but hey, the camera doesn't lie.

!!

[Andrea]

Originally Posted by Experiment6-2-6

My understanding is that the Mouse is well lawyered.

This strikes me as the understatement of the week.

[DiZ NeE O8]

I think that this woman is just trying to sew b/c she is in some desperate need of some money. they need to get a life. lol!

[Nastory4]

Originally Posted by momofaprincess

There are many MANY warning signs for this ride as with any other thrill ride on property.

Unfortunately she probably had no idea on her pre-existing conditions (my mother didn't know she had an existing brain aneurysm until she almost died from it, most people wouldn't even know they had one), and this could of happened anywhere... just happened to be on ToT and the amount of times she rode aggrevated the condition.

The amount seems very small though...Why go thru the hassle?

Agreed! There are many signs throughout the property that warns of bad backs, expectant mothers, etc. The problem really is society. Blame someone else. Maybe it did happen because of the ride. But you really can't blame Disney or any other company. What did they expect with the name of the ride being called, Tower of Terror. Thats why we get things taken away from us, and company's lose money.