Latest news with #HarryPotterandtheForbiddenJourney
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Florida man sues Universal over alleged malfunction of 'Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey' ride
The Brief A Florida man alleges Universal Orlando's Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey ride left him stranded midair, causing lasting injuries. The lawsuit claims the park ignored prior warnings and failed to act. Universal has not yet responded to the $50,000-plus complaint. ORLANDO, Fla. - A Florida man has filed a lawsuit seeking more than $50,000 in damages against Universal Orlando Resort, alleging he was injured during a ride malfunction. What we know A St. Johns County man has filed a lawsuit against Universal Orlando Resort, seeking more than $50,000 in damages. The suit stems from a July 2, 2023, incident involving the "Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey" ride. The plaintiff claims the ride came to a sudden halt, leaving him stranded in a tilted cart for approximately an hour before being repositioned. He alleges the malfunction resulted in injuries and emotional distress. What we don't know Universal Orlando has not yet issued a public response or comment on the allegations. It is unclear whether the park has conducted an internal investigation or made technical changes to the ride following the incident. There is also no information available about whether similar lawsuits have been filed or whether regulatory authorities were involved. The backstory According to the complaint, the ride was operating as intended when it unexpectedly stopped. The plaintiff argues that the ride has a history of issues and that Universal continued to run it despite known risks. The lawsuit alleges a failure to repair or warn about the potential for power-related stoppages, which the plaintiff claims were foreseeable and avoidable. Dig deeper Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey is an indoor thrill ride at Universal Orlando's Islands of Adventure theme park and part of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. The attraction includes robotic arm technology, motion simulation and 3D/4D imagery. Guests ride in secure seats attached to the robotic arm which pivots, drops, spins, and twists above its track. "Enter through the towering castle gates and make your way down the familiar passageways and corridors of Hogwarts™ School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Then soar above the castle grounds as you join Harry Potter™ and his friends on a thrilling adventure," Universal explains. "Groundbreaking, state-of-the-art technology (and a little magic) creates a one-of-a-kind ride." Universal has an identical ride at its parks in California, Japan, and China. Timeline The incident occurred on July 2, 2023. The plaintiff was allegedly stuck in the ride for nearly an hour that day. The legal complaint was filed in Orange County, Florida, on May 28, 2025. What they're saying The suit includes two counts: premises liability and general negligence. It argues that Universal breached its duty of care by failing to implement proper safety protocols, conduct timely inspections, maintain backup systems, and communicate warnings about ongoing risks — including rolling power outages. The plaintiff argues that this created "unreasonable risk of harm." Universal was "aware that the rollercoaster had similar problems in the past and failed to take adequate or reasonable steps to remedy this known problem," the complaint alleges. It further claims the theme park acted "with wanton, willful, and reckless disregard for the safety and health of the plaintiff," citing a profit motive for continuing to operate the ride despite the risks. As a result, the plaintiff claims he suffered "bodily injury, resulting in pain and suffering, disability, disfigurement, scarring, mental anguish, loss of capacity for the enjoyment of life, expense of hospitalization, medical and nursing care and treatment, loss of earnings, loss of ability to earn money, damage to property, inconvenience, and aggravation of a previously existing condition. Such losses are either permanent or continuing in nature." As of Monday, June 2, 2025, Universal had not responded publicly. Read The Lawsuit Below is the full text of the lawsuit, which you can also find at this link (PDF). Click to open this PDF in a new window. What's next The complaint demands a jury trial and seeks damages, court costs, and additional relief as allowed by law. The plaintiff is represented by Rob Cook, Attorney at Law, P.A., based in St. Augustine. STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 35 ORLANDO: Download the FOX Local app for breaking news alerts, the latest news headlines Download the FOX 35 Storm Team Weather app for weather alerts & radar Sign up for FOX 35's daily newsletter for the latest morning headlines FOX Local:Stream FOX 35 newscasts, FOX 35 News+, Central Florida Eats on your smart TV The Source This story was written based on information from documents filed in the Ninth Judicial Circuit Court in and for Orange County.
Yahoo
28-02-2025
- Yahoo
$7.25M awarded to Queen Creek woman after fall on Universal Studios Hollywood's Harry Potter ride
A woman who suffered a spinal injury at Universal Studios Hollywood was recently awarded $7.25 million by a jury after a dayslong trial and hours of deliberation. Pamela Morrison, 74, of Queen Creek, was seated with her grandson on the Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey ride on Sept. 30, 2022, when an employee asked her to exit because her safety harness was not properly secured, according to the Associated Press. The ride was already moving, and Morrison fell. Taylor Kruse of Los Angeles City Law, an attorney for Morrison, said that incident resulted in a spinal compression fracture that "changed every aspect of Ms. Morrison's life." "Universal Studios could have taken 5 seconds to stop the ride and allow for a safe exit, but they chose to keep the ride moving at all costs," she said. Universal Studios Hollywood declined to comment on the case and awarded damages. In court documents, attorneys for the theme park argued that Morrison's own negligence contributed to her fall. During the trial, lawyers said Morrison was focused on her grandson and not on where she was stepping, according to AP. Jurors in the case participated in a lengthy deliberation, according to court documents. In one handwritten note sent to U.S. District Judge Dolly Gee, jurors asked, "If one juror feels they (are) incapable of coming to a decision of an amount of damages, can they excuse themselves from the trial? Can seven jurors make the decision?" Ultimately, jury notes show that the jurors opted to continue deliberations until they reached a unanimous verdict. Morrison received $250,000 for future medical expenses and $7 million in noneconomic damages. Kruse said they came to "a just verdict." She said the awarded damages will compensate Morrison for her "pain, suffering, disfigurement, anxiety, humiliation" and "future medical treatment." Accusations fly: Arizona joins unfair competition lawsuit vs. Deere & Co. Company blames 'politics' This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: AZ woman's attorney: Fall on ride 'changed every aspect' of her life
Yahoo
25-02-2025
- Yahoo
Woman injured on Harry Potter theme park ride in California is awarded $7.25 million
LOS ANGELES (AP) — A federal jury has awarded $7.25 million to a 74-year-old Arizona woman for a spine injury she suffered in a fall while exiting the Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey ride at Universal Studios Hollywood. Pamela Morrison was getting seated on the popular attraction with her grandson in September 2022 when she was asked to exit after her harness failed to secure properly. Morrison slipped and fell when stepping from a moving walkway onto solid ground, according to her lawsuit. Her attorney, Taylor Kruse, argued that Morrison's fall — which caused a spinal compression fracture — was due to employees' failure to halt the moving walkway and allow the woman to exit safely. See for yourself — The Yodel is the go-to source for daily news, entertainment and feel-good stories. By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy. 'It would have cost them four seconds to stop it, but instead they wanted to keep the ride moving no matter what, to make its quota of 1,800 riders per hour,' Kruse said Tuesday. Lawyers for Universal Studios Hollywood argued that Morrison was focused on her grandson and not on where she was stepping, so the fall was her fault. After a three-day trial, the California jury deliberated for four hours on Feb. 14 before finding the theme park responsible for creating the dangerous conditions that led to Morrison's accident. She was awarded $250,000 for future medical expenses, $2 million for past pain and suffering, and $5 million for future pain and suffering, Kruse said. A message seeking comment on the verdict was sent to Universal Studios Hollywood. 'The fall changed her whole life, and that's what the jury saw,' Kruse said. 'Obviously we feel that this was a very just result.'
Yahoo
25-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Woman awarded millions for injury on Harry Potter ride
An Arizona grandmother was awarded $7.25 million by a California federal court after suffering a debilitating spine injury on the Harry Potter ride at Universal Studios Hollywood more than two years ago, according to reports. Pamela Morrison, 74, suffered a crushed spine when she exited the Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey ride in September 2022. Morrison, who was spending the day at the park with her grandson, slipped when leaving the moving walkway onto solid ground after being asked to exit the ride when her harness failed to secure, the Los Angeles Times reported. '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,' the Times quoted Morrison as stating in court documents. Morrison's attorney Taylor Kruse argued during the trial 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, according to a report by Law360. Court documents broke down the financial distributions stating that Morrison was awarded $2 million for past damages, $5 million for future damages and $250,000 for future medical expenses. 'Justice was served,' Morrison's attorney Taylor Kruse responded via email after the decision, the Orange County Register reported. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Independent
25-02-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Woman injured on Harry Potter theme park ride in California is awarded $7.25 million
A federal jury has awarded $7.25 million to a 74-year-old Arizona woman for a spine injury she suffered in a fall while exiting the Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey ride at Universal Studios Hollywood. Pamela Morrison was getting seated on the popular attraction with her grandson in September 2022 when she was asked to exit after her harness failed to secure properly. Morrison slipped and fell when stepping from a moving walkway onto solid ground, according to her lawsuit. Her attorney, Taylor Kruse, argued that Morrison's fall — which caused a spinal compression fracture — was due to employees' failure to halt the moving walkway and allow the woman to exit safely. 'It would have cost them four seconds to stop it, but instead they wanted to keep the ride moving no matter what, to make its quota of 1,800 riders per hour,' Kruse said Tuesday. Lawyers for Universal Studios Hollywood argued that Morrison was focused on her grandson and not on where she was stepping, so the fall was her fault. After a three-day trial, the California jury deliberated for four hours on Feb. 14 before finding the theme park responsible for creating the dangerous conditions that led to Morrison's accident. She was awarded $250,000 for future medical expenses, $2 million for past pain and suffering, and $5 million for future pain and suffering, Kruse said. A message seeking comment on the verdict was sent to Universal Studios Hollywood. 'The fall changed her whole life, and that's what the jury saw,' Kruse said. 'Obviously we feel that this was a very just result.'
