Woman Suffers Crushed Spine on Harry Potter Ride, Wins $7.25 Million
A Day of Magic Turns to Tragedy
An Arizona woman has been awarded $7.25 million by a federal court in California after a day of magic at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter with her grandson ended with her in an ambulance.
The Accident
Earlier this month, a jury found Universal Studios Hollywood responsible for the crushed spine that 74-year-old Pamela Morrison suffered when exiting the Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey ride in September 2022. She had been asked to exit the ride after her harness failed to secure, then slipped when stepping from the moving walkway onto solid ground, according to court documents.
The Fall
“The belt was still moving, and so my foot went on that belt and then … my other foot went on to the stationary floor, and it knocked me off my feet,” said Morrison, describing the fall in court documents.
The Trial
At trial, her attorney, Taylor Kruse, argued that the fall was due to employees’ failure to halt the moving walkway and allow the woman to exit the ride in a safe manner, causing her to suffer an intensely painful injury that temporarily prevented her from using the bathroom independently, according to reporting by Law360.
The Verdict
The jury awarded her $250,000 for economic damages, $2 million for past noneconomic damages, and $5 million for future noneconomic damages, according to court documents.
The Defense’s Argument
The defense team for Universal Studios argued, according to the legal site, that the video showed that Morrison was focused on her grandson and not on where she was stepping, so the fall was her fault. They alleged that Morrison “failed to use and exercise, for her own protection, the proper care, and precautions reasonably prudent people under the same or similar circumstances would have exercised.”
The Expert’s Analysis
Safety expert Ban Choi, of the Institute of Risk & Safety Analyses, said the design of the ride was dangerous because it required people to step perpendicularly off the moving walkway onto the stationary floor.
A Common Problem
A previous Times analysis showed that being injured when getting on or off a ride is fairly common, accounting for about 1 in 8 accident reports at Southern California theme parks.
The Aftermath
After the fall, Morrison was transported to a local hospital in an ambulance and incurred significant medical expenses. She suffered a fracture in her lower back and a significant tear in some of the muscles around her hip that help with movement and stability, according to court documents.
Conclusion
The jury’s verdict is a significant victory for Morrison, who will receive $7.25 million to compensate her for her injuries and losses. The case highlights the importance of theme park safety and the need for operators to prioritize the well-being of their guests.
FAQs
* What was the nature of the accident?
The accident occurred when Morrison’s harness failed to secure, and she slipped when stepping from the moving walkway onto solid ground.
* What was the outcome of the trial?
The jury found Universal Studios Hollywood responsible for the accident and awarded Morrison $7.25 million in damages.
* What were the injuries sustained by Morrison?
Morrison suffered a fracture in her lower back and a significant tear in some of the muscles around her hip that help with movement and stability.
* What was the defense’s argument?
The defense argued that Morrison was at fault for the accident, claiming that she failed to use and exercise proper care and precautions.
