A federal jury has recently awarded a 74-year-old Arizona woman $7.25 million for a spine injury she sustained while exiting the Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey ride at Universal Studios Hollywood. The incident occurred in September 2022 when the woman, Pamela Morrison, was attempting to get seated on the ride with her grandson. Due to a harness failure, she was asked to exit the ride. As she stepped from a moving walkway onto solid ground, Morrison slipped and fell, resulting in a spinal compression fracture.
Morrison's attorney argued that the fall was a direct result of the employees' failure to stop the moving walkway, which would have allowed her to exit safely. The attorney emphasized that a mere four-second delay could have prevented the accident. Universal Studios Hollywood, on the other hand, contended that Morrison's inattention to her surroundings, as she was focused on her grandson, was the primary cause of the fall.
Following a three-day trial, a California jury deliberated for four hours before holding the theme park accountable for the hazardous conditions that led to Morrison's injury. The jury awarded Morrison $250,000 for future medical expenses, $2 million for past pain and suffering, and $5 million for future pain and suffering.
Despite the defense's argument that Morrison was at fault for the fall, the jury sided with the plaintiff, recognizing the significant impact the incident had on her life. The verdict highlights the importance of ensuring visitor safety in theme parks and holding responsible parties accountable for negligence that results in harm to guests.
Universal Studios Hollywood has not yet provided a comment on the jury's decision. Morrison's attorney expressed satisfaction with the outcome, stating that the verdict reflected the profound impact of the fall on his client's life. The substantial award aims to compensate Morrison for her medical expenses and the pain and suffering she has endured as a result of the incident.
