A 74-year-old woman from Arizona has been awarded $7.25 million in damages following a spine injury sustained while disembarking from a ride at a Harry Potter-themed attraction in California.
Pamela Morrison was exiting the ride with her grandson in September 2022 when her harness failed to secure properly, according to her lawsuit.
Morrison was asked to exit the ride, and as she stepped from a moving walkway onto solid ground, she slipped and fell, suffering a spinal compression fracture.
Morrison’s attorney, Taylor Kruse, argued that the theme park failed to stop the moving walkway to allow her to exit safely.
The lawsuit claimed that the injury occurred due to inadequate safety measures, particularly the failure to halt the walkway and provide clear instructions for exiting.
The jury found that the theme park had a responsibility to ensure the safety of all visitors, especially older individuals who may be more vulnerable to injury.
Attorneys for Morrison argued that the park failed to provide proper warnings and safeguards to prevent such incidents.
Representatives from the theme park, part of a global entertainment company, maintained that the attraction adhered to industry standards and conducted routine safety checks. However, the jury found a lapse in the safety measures or communication at the time of the incident.
The $7.25 million award will compensate Morrison for her injuries.
