Disney is being sued after a woman suffered "severe" injuries allegedly from a wedgie on a mega water slide at Typhoon Lagoon
Disney is being sued after a woman suffered "severe" injuries allegedly from a wedgie on a mega water slide at Typhoon Lagoon
The lawsuit says Disney knew or should have known of the risk of "painful wedgies" particularly for women on the slide.
According to CNN, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts is being sued by a couple who visited the Typhoon Lagoon water park in October of 2019. The suit says the “injurious wedgie” occurred from riding a 214-foot water slide at the park.
CNN says the Humunga Kowabunga water slide, which according to Disney, has a “near-vertical, 5-story drop — in the dark,” descends 214 feet and plunges riders into a pool of water to end the ride.
The lawsuit says that Disney knew — or should have known — of the risk of “painful wedgies,” particularly for women.
“Specifically, when a rider of The Slide reached the bottom of the ride and traveled into the pool of water designed to stop further travel, the force of the water can push loose garments into a person’s anatomy - an event known as a ‘wedgie,’” the suit says. “Because of a woman’s anatomy, the risk of a painful ‘wedgie’ is more common and more serious than it is for a man.”
According to CNN, the suit alleges that Disney was negligent in failing to provide protective clothing, such as shorts, for the slide. Plus, it says, they failed to warn the plaintiff and other women of the risks involved in riding.
The suit indicates that the plaintiff was instructed to cross her ankles, but became airborne toward the end of the slide and slammed into the side, which “increased the likelihood of her legs becoming uncrossed or otherwise exposing herself to injury.”
When she hit the water at the bottom, her swimsuit was forced between her legs and water was “violently forced inside her,” the lawsuit says.
She was transported to two different hospitals for treatment, according to the lawsuit — including treatment by a specialist.
The plaintiff and her husband are demanding a jury trial and are suing for compensatory damages and taxable costs in the case.