[MissDisney]

Yeah, seems like they could have done much more! I mean, at least reimbursed her for some of the hotel room, since she spent some of her time sleeping at the hospital instead!

I live in New Jersey, which is sometimes called "Sue Jersey" because of the number of lawsuits flying around. I can only imagine what one of these NJ lawyers would have made of the situation!

Now that I think about it some more, though I still think it's not nice to ask for the world because of an honest mistake, there still is a more polite and reasonable way for Disney to have handled it.

If they had a planned evacuation from the ride, that's fine. But the ride should not have been started up again (or allowed to start up again on its own) until everyone was safely off the boats. If that could not be guaranteed, then the guests should be asked to sit until a safe option could be found. After all, it could have been a little child that was accidentally hurt.

So, this lady is hurt, spends part of her vacation in the hospital, and for the rest of the trip, she can't walk around the parks. Seems to me that Disney sort of wrecked part of her trip, even if it was an accident of good intentions.

Having tickets to the party and getting a special FP are a nice gesture, sure, but in my opinion, she shouldn't have to pay for the part of the trip that was ruined -- at the absolute least the nights when she was in the hospital and afterward and the park tickets she had bought for those days.

[PhilliesFan]

Originally Posted by Dana

Again, you hit the nail on the head and said it better than I ever could. It was an unfortunate accident that WDW took complete care of. Why must everyone get as much out of a situation as they possibly can? I don't get it. It was really a shame that this happened. Accidents are not planned for. Here a CM tried to do the right thing and something bad happened because of it. With people always looking for an angle, I will bet that CM would be less likely to do it again...perhaps they should have been left in the log in the rain so this accident didn't occur?

Dana, I agree with you. I handle heavy exposure claims and I've seen horrible claims that are too gruesome to write about, and I've seen the smallest of accidents in which people feel that they need to be overly compensated. Disney is most likely self-insured up to a certain dollar amount, and their Risk Management department will no doubt be contacting the claimant to discuss some sort of settlement.

[dancing4disney]

Some companies actually pay for health insurance out of pocket hoping that they don't end up with massive amounts to pay each year for employees. I never knew this but my husband's company pays for the medical bills. We have health insurance coverage, but the company is actually paying for the bills. (I'm not sure how it works and I was surprised to learn this). It makes sense that Disney cover the emergency room visit and ambulance as it would possibly save the company who gives that person insurance.

[ssn]

Wow, I am completely shocked by the comments on this thread!

I was with my friend today (our daughters cheerlead together) and she still can't put any weight on her leg and it spasms when she sits. She is a RN in a hospital who is on her feet all day so she already had to tell work that she needs to take the next few days off.

As far as a lawsuit that was never mentioned in my first post and my friend has never brought that up.

The only thing she is concerned with is getting her medical expenses paid for. Now I'm not sure what your health insurance is like but hers has deductables. There was a deductable for the ambulance trip, the hospital visit and the pain medication that was prescribed. That was $200 out of her pocket. Disney has said that they will be reimbursed for them - but as of now that was money that they needed to pay out.

On these boards before a vacation everyone stresses out about room upgrades, impending storms and long ride lines. Have you ever considered how it would feel to be injured while there? Does everyone set aside an extra $200 in case they get their leg gets stuck on a ride?

Sure the accident was a freak thing, but it was not a freak of nature. The fact that it was raining had absolutely nothing to do with the incident it was just an added bonus.

I'd like you all to put yourself in their shoes. They didn't expect more than what was given to them and how they were taken care of was probably sufficient, but that's not really the point. After spending a year saving for a vacation and having it end on such a bad note and with bad memories is just sad. All she and her husband can think of is how grateful they are that this happened to her and not one of her kids.

I guess I made a mistake sharing this story - wasn't looking for ways that they could fleece Disney - just looking for some symphathy for this family.

[MissDisney]

Originally Posted by ssn

Wow, I am completely shocked by the comments on this thread!
I guess I made a mistake sharing this story - wasn't looking for ways that they could fleece Disney - just looking for some symphathy for this family.

ssn, I agree with you 100%. Check back and see that there are a ton of supportive posts. Your friend is being very generous in spirit, and you are right -- the incident could have and should have been prevented by Disney.

I am sorry if my own reply made you feel badly. I don't see how anyone can feel that some tickets and dry clothes are enough to make up for half a ruined vacation (and FPs don't make up for being in a wheelchair!!!)

This is not the run-of-the-mill story about some whiner who wants a free room because they found a hair in the tub at check-in!

You are also right that any one of us would be overwhelmed to leave the park in an ambulance, with scared husband and kids in tow, spend the night in the ER and try to make the best of the situation in a wheelchair for the rest of the trip, in pain. Vacation time was lost, and post-trip pain is still in force.

Honestly, I am one of MB's most vocal opponents of people trying to get something for nothing at WDW, but this situation is being VASTLY different. If anyone feels that my opinion that Disney ought to do more for your friend is the same as trying to milk the situation, I can attest it is NOT.

Please don't feel badly about sharing the story!

[Dopey]

Originally Posted by ssn

Wow, I am completely shocked by the comments on this thread!

I was with my friend today (our daughters cheerlead together) and she still can't put any weight on her leg and it spasms when she sits. She is a RN in a hospital who is on her feet all day so she already had to tell work that she needs to take the next few days off.

As far as a lawsuit that was never mentioned in my first post and my friend has never brought that up.

The only thing she is concerned with is getting her medical expenses paid for. Now I'm not sure what your health insurance is like but hers has deductables. There was a deductable for the ambulance trip, the hospital visit and the pain medication that was prescribed. That was $200 out of her pocket. Disney has said that they will be reimbursed for them - but as of now that was money that they needed to pay out.

On these boards before a vacation everyone stresses out about room upgrades, impending storms and long ride lines. Have you ever considered how it would feel to be injured while there? Does everyone set aside an extra $200 in case they get their leg gets stuck on a ride?

Sure the accident was a freak thing, but it was not a freak of nature. The fact that it was raining had absolutely nothing to do with the incident it was just an added bonus.

I'd like you all to put yourself in their shoes. They didn't expect more than what was given to them and how they were taken care of was probably sufficient, but that's not really the point. After spending a year saving for a vacation and having it end on such a bad note and with bad memories is just sad. All she and her husband can think of is how grateful they are that this happened to her and not one of her kids.

I guess I made a mistake sharing this story - wasn't looking for ways that they could fleece Disney - just looking for some symphathy for this family.

Ummmm, Just to clarify...... mine and, I believe Dana's comments, were not directed at your post, they were directed at someone who brought up that a friend would have hired a lawyer and some other comments. I think your friend should be compensated for all the costs and not being able to work and the pain she's enduring now.

[ssn]

Originally Posted by MissDisney

ssn, I agree with you 100%. Check back and see that there are a ton of supportive posts. Your friend is being very generous in spirit, and you are right -- the incident could have and should have been prevented by Disney.

I am sorry if my own reply made you feel badly. I don't see how anyone can feel that some tickets and dry clothes are enough to make up for half a ruined vacation (and FPs don't make up for being in a wheelchair!!!)

This is not the run-of-the-mill story about some whiner who wants a free room because they found a hair in the tub at check-in!

You are also right that any one of us would be overwhelmed to leave the park in an ambulance, with scared husband and kids in tow, spend the night in the ER and try to make the best of the situation in a wheelchair for the rest of the trip, in pain. Vacation time was lost, and post-trip pain is still in force.

Honestly, I am one of MB's most vocal opponents of people trying to get something for nothing at WDW, but this situation is being VASTLY different. If anyone feels that my opinion that Disney ought to do more for your friend is the same as trying to milk the situation, I can attest it is NOT.

Please don't feel badly about sharing the story!

Thank you for that Miss Disney. No your post didn't make me feel bad , thank you for your comments. I guess I was just surprised in what direction some of the posts went. I guess for me when I think of Disney I just think that they can make any situation better. While I know this is completely unrealistic, they have never let me down. Going there has been some of the happiest times my family and I have spent together. Every experience has been good for us and we've never had to encounter anything bad. I guess what happened to my friend kinda burst my Disney bubble and made me realize that even bad things can happen at Disney.

[DisneyTeacher]

Originally Posted by ssn

Wow, I am completely shocked by the comments on this thread!

I was with my friend today (our daughters cheerlead together) and she still can't put any weight on her leg and it spasms when she sits. She is a RN in a hospital who is on her feet all day so she already had to tell work that she needs to take the next few days off.

As far as a lawsuit that was never mentioned in my first post and my friend has never brought that up.

The only thing she is concerned with is getting her medical expenses paid for. Now I'm not sure what your health insurance is like but hers has deductables. There was a deductable for the ambulance trip, the hospital visit and the pain medication that was prescribed. That was $200 out of her pocket. Disney has said that they will be reimbursed for them - but as of now that was money that they needed to pay out.

On these boards before a vacation everyone stresses out about room upgrades, impending storms and long ride lines. Have you ever considered how it would feel to be injured while there? Does everyone set aside an extra $200 in case they get their leg gets stuck on a ride?

Sure the accident was a freak thing, but it was not a freak of nature. The fact that it was raining had absolutely nothing to do with the incident it was just an added bonus.

I'd like you all to put yourself in their shoes. They didn't expect more than what was given to them and how they were taken care of was probably sufficient, but that's not really the point. After spending a year saving for a vacation and having it end on such a bad note and with bad memories is just sad. All she and her husband can think of is how grateful they are that this happened to her and not one of her kids.

I guess I made a mistake sharing this story - wasn't looking for ways that they could fleece Disney - just looking for some symphathy for this family.

I'm sorry if my post upset you, I didn't mean to. I'm am sorry their trip was ruined and I guess I feel Disney tried to make it right. I hope they see all the money they paid out, as I said before, that's the right thing for Disney to do.

[leslieh]

Please don't feel that you made a mistake sharing! I haven't posted yet, but I do get the feeling that everyone here felt badly about your friend's first WDW trip and and awful accident. I think some of the posts were just discussing what they would have expected Disney to do, and somehow that morphed into what some people do in other cases...

It's such a shame that she was so badly hurt- I hope she recovers quickly and plans another trip back to WDW to enjoy it without any mishaps.

[iluvwdw]

I wanted to add something...tell your friend that if Disney said they would cover all medical costs (deductibles, medications, etc) GET IT IN WRITING!!!!! They told me the SAME thing when I was there. My son's meds were stolen from our room (I totally shoulda put them in the safe, but who would think a Mousekeeper would steal at Disney?) and we had to go to the Emergency Room. They told us that whatever our insurance didn't cover, they would pay for.

Fast forward to a month after we got home...my insurance wouldn't pay for the ER visit itself, but would pay for the Doctor visit in the ER (go figure ). Since it's Mental Health, they won't cover it. So I had to pay it myself...$120 or $160, I forget. I contacted Disney to get compensated to NO AVAIL. I am still REALLY bitter about it, but my point is GET IT IN WRITING. Or else your friend will be out all that she shelled out.

I hope your friend is feeling better.

[dh464]

Hope your friend recovery quickly. I thank you for sharing your story. Now I know to be very careful incase we are in the same situation. I no I have never put extra money away incase anything bad happens on vacation. I guess I just learned a valuable tip.Thanks

[ann0d]

That is terrible! Sorry to hear that!

[sarahnbrian2008]

That is terrible that that had happened. I really do not think they could have done much more, except paying for the ECV. That is totally awful.

[DayDreamer]

Wooooooo having torn up a knee before that could have been a whole lot worse. I hope she has a speedy recovery. I think Disney handled it well because they could have been like a lot of other companies and done nothing. Alot of companies have a sorry and see ya in court mentality which drags on for years.

[WDW Rules]

Please don't feel that your friend was attached here on MB. Everyone was just discussing the what ifs, just like we would if we were sitting all together in one room. I wish your friend a fast recovery and hope Disney comes through for her. Please tell your friend that your friends here on MB wish her the very best and that they try WDW again sometime.