Disneyland Sued Following Tragic Jungle Cruise Accident
The family of a woman injured in an accident on a Disneyland attraction has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the Walt Disney Company, claiming that complications from the injury led to her untimely death.
According to the Orange County Register, 66-year-old Joanne Aguilar was injured on the park’s Jungle Cruise attraction. In April 2021, the woman, who was wheelchair-bound, visited Disneyland with her two adult daughters. She wanted to go on the Jungle Cruise, but was told a wheelchair-accessible boat was not available at that time. Ms.Aguilar managed to get on a standard boat but had difficulties trying to get out. She lost her balance and fell backward, breaking a leg. After undergoing surgery, she spent five months in a rehab facility. While there she got an infection, went into septic shock, and died in January of last year.
The lawsuit alleges that the septic shock was a result of the surgery, which was due to the attraction injury, therefore Disneyland should be liable for their damages. The family is seeking compensation for “all past economic damages,” including medical costs, burial and funeral expenses, attorney fees, and any other incidental damages.
Disney denied all allegations, arguing that the woman’s injuries were caused by her own conduct and negligence.
Who is responsible for an amusement park or roller coaster accident?
If you or someone you love were recently injured in an amusement park accident, you need to reach out to seasoned California personal injury lawyers. Keep in mind that a company like Disney has an army of shrewd lawyers and you cannot possibly win against them without reliable attorneys by your side.
In this type of accident, you may have more than one party liable for damages. Your lawyers will investigate the case, talk to witnesses, request surveillance camera footage, talk to safety experts, etc. Once they determine the chain of events that led to the accident you may be able to file a lawsuit against:
- The amusement park owner or operator
- The amusement park’s parent company
- Amusement park employees, supervisors, or managers
- Ride operators,
- Roller coaster engineers
- Roller coaster equipment and parts manufacturers.
- Food or drink vendors operating on the premises
- Security guards
- Safety inspectors
What is “assumption of risk”?
In many of the lawsuits filed against an amusement park, the owner or operator uses the so-called ‘assumption of risk’ as their sole defense. Basically, they claim that going on a roller-coaster is inherently risky so the visitor has no one to blame but themselves. Some companies have gone as far as making visitors sign an affidavit saying they assume all the risks involved. You will need seasoned lawyers to counter this sort of argument.
Have you been Injured in a California amusement park accident?
If you or a loved one were recently injured in an amusement park in California, contact the skilled attorneys at the Neumann Law Group. Our attorneys possess years of experience in personal injury and wrongful death cases. Through our dedicated representation of car accident victims and their families, we will make those responsible for your injury pay for what they did to you. To schedule a free initial consultation, call our toll-free number at 800-525-6386. To contact our California office, call 213-277-0001.