British woman sues Disney for 2005 stroke

[clion]

From the Associated Press:

ORLANDO, Florida - A British woman is suing Walt Disney World, claiming a ride caused her to suffer a disabling heart attack and stroke in 2005.
Leanne Deacon and her mother, both of Kibworth, England, filed the lawsuit Wednesday in Orlando circuit court, according to the Orlando Sentinel. They are seeking at least $15,000.
Leanne Deacon was 16 when she rode the Disney World-MGM Studios' "The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror" ride several times.
Shortly after one ride, Deacon's heart stopped, and she had a brain hemorrhage.
The Deacons accuse Disney of negligence in the ride's design and operation. They say Disney failed to adequately warn of the risks or provide adequate safety restraints.
Disney spokeswoman Kim Prunty said the company hadn't seen the lawsuit. Prunty said the ride was working properly when Deacon rode it.

Isn't it interesting that now, FOUR years later, she wants to file suit? I guess when times are tough - find someone to sue!
If you're going to try to dig Disney for money, please try to find a better excuse. "Failed to adequately warn of the risks or provide adequate safety restraints?" Are you kidding me? Does this woman READ? How many warning signs does she pass in the queue line?
My bet is she's aiming for an out of court settlement. I hope Disney sticks it out and this woman gets laughed out of court.

[BusDriver]

Disney is sued frequently, but succeeding with the suit is a different story. This case will likely be dismissed or Disney will win. One, she has waited too long to file the suit and two, she assumed the risk when she voluntarily choose to get on ToT. She may be able to overcome the time delay based on her age, she was still a minor. Hoever, there are sufficient warnings posted.

Disney has a reputation for being fair and resolving cases that need resolving, but fighting those that have no merit. This one has no merit.

[Disney*Princess]

I remember being at Disney when this happened...and i definitely have to agree...it's a little late. And anyone who goes on the rides at Disney knows they have adequate postings...people need to open their eyes, it's not Disney's fault they can't read. You could have a sign with flashing lights and massive print and people still won't read it.

[MagicMom]

So this woman is going to all this trouble with a trumped-up story about ToT causing her stroke for $15K? She is going to spend that and more just for traveling expenses from the UK to Orlando plus hotels. There is no way Disney is going to engage in this suit without making her appear in court.

BusDriver is right, this case has no merit. But, didn't someone sue and win when their 4 year-old with a pre-existing heart condition died on MS? I remember that case but I don't remember the outcome.

[harra]

I really wish Disney could one day get the same treatment that ski resorts in Colorado get. Whenever you buy a lift ticket at a Colorado Ski Resort you basically are saying that you realize you are partaking in a risk activity and the resort is in no way liable for anything that may happen to you while one the mountain. Well, anything beyond really gross negligence (i.e. ski lift malfunctions due to neglect and you fall and injure yourself).

While I was there I read about a lot of lawsuits of people trying to get money out of the companies running the local mountains and couldn't win. The state laws backed up the implied risk clauses on the lift tickets

[Disney*Princess]

At the same time...when you go on these rides you kind of have an idea what you're getting yourself into. Especially if she rode ToT "several times." Who is to say she wasn't feeling well before the 2nd, 3rd or xth numbered ride..and still went on it? At some point there is a degree of the rider's common sense that should come into play. But that's just my opinion.

[M5ward]

Just one more frivolous lawsuit. And.....$15,000? Wouldn't cover the medical expenses here. This sounds like a bad joke - or a stupid lawyer.
You literally can't get near some of the WDW rides without being inundated with precautionary warnings. What happened to accepting responsibility for one's actions?

[Disney05]

I hate hearing stories like this. Just leaves everyone shaking there heads. Isn't there a statute of limitations on something like this?

[tink2thecore]

This woman is crazy. I mean come on. Disney is not known for bad restraints and misleading signs. Sounds like she needs a therapist to remind her of reality.

[WDWmemories]

I agree that $15K seems to be a very strange, and low amount. At least the lawyers will continue to work during the economic downturn

[BamaJenn]

"Failed to adequately warn of the risks or provide adequate safety restraints?" Are you kidding me? Does this woman READ? How many warning signs does she pass in the queue line?

I was thinking the same thing when I read this. I remember the first time I rode it. I'm a huge thrill-ride fan but all the warnings and signs even had me a bit concerned!

What is the statute of limitations on something like this? I'm betting it's 5 years and that's why 4 years later you're seeing the suit. They realized if they were gonna try they had to now.

[RuddyWDW]

Absolutely pathetic, I loathe how sueing has become like a second nature nowadays.

Disney should countersue for her being stupid and not reading all the signs and putting other riders at risk.

[crazytp93]

What a joke!

[MJMcb]

Disney is sued frequently, but succeeding with the suit is a different story. This case will likely be dismissed or Disney will win. One, she has waited too long to file the suit

She was 16 at the time. So she had to file suit by the time she hit 20

Hoever, there are sufficient warnings posted.

The issue then becomes if the warnings are sufficient

Disney has a reputation for being fair and resolving cases that need resolving,

says who exactly?

[Caribbean Lady]

clearly, the stroke wasn't that debilitating - if it was actually very bad, they probably would have sued sooner. Not saying that strokes are a walk in the park, but clearly there is another motive to why they're filing the suit during tough economic times...