Los Angeles — A 74-year-old woman from Arizona has been awarded $7.25 million by a federal jury after she sustained a spine injury following a fall at the Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey ride in Universal Studios Hollywood. The incident, which occurred in September 2022, involved Pamela Morrison, who was visiting the theme park with her grandson.
The accident escalated when Morrison, was compelled to leave the ride after her safety harness failed to engage. As she attempted to transition from the moving walkway to solid ground, she slipped and fell. Her attorney, Taylor Kruse, contended that the fall was preventable and blamed it on the negligence of the park’s staff to stop the moving walkway, thereby allowing Morrison to disembark safely.
Kruse asserted in court that halting the walkway would have delayed the ride’s operation by mere seconds, which the park management overlooked in an effort to maintain the ride throughput of 1,800 riders per hour. This decision, according to Kruse, prioritized operational efficiency over guest safety.
During the legal proceedings, defense attorneys for Universal Studios Hollywood argued that Morrison was not attentive to her steps because she was distracted by her grandson, thereby attributing the fault of the accident to her. However, after three days of trial and four hours of deliberation, the jury concluded on Feb. 14 that the theme park had indeed created unsafe conditions that led to Morrison’s fall.
The jury’s verdict included $250,000 for future medical expenses, $2 million for past pain and suffering, and an additional $5 million for future pain and suffering. Following the announcement of the verdict, a representative for Universal Studios Hollywood was contacted for comment, but there has been no response thus far.
Kruse remarked on the jury’s decision, emphasizing that the substantial compensation reflects the life-altering impact the incident has had on Morrison. He expressed satisfaction with the outcome, stating that the judgment was a fair acknowledgment of the severe consequences endured by Morrison due to the fall.
This case highlights ongoing concerns about safety measures and operational decisions in amusement parks, particularly in high-stake attractions designed to accommodate a large volume of visitors. As theme parks continue to balance guest throughput with safety, the implications of this case could influence industry standards and operational protocols to prevent such incidents in the future.
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