Bus Incident - WWYD

[Allegro]

Missing a days worth of rides because you were stressed doesn't carry a dollar amount.

Thing is, I don't think they missed anything except relaxing their hotel room - they were one their way BACK from the parks. I can't see what Disney would be reimbursing them for except maybe the copay for the medical treatment. I don't know what they were expecting - a more heartfelt "we're really sorry."

To be honest - the only reason I would even write a letter in her shoes is I'm by nature a letter writer. If I'm upset (and she obviously is) I feel much better having told someone in authority why I'm upset. That's good enough for me.

On the other forum btw everyone is suggesting Disney comp their vacation!

 

[Lovemy3babes]

I'd like to have my medical bills covered and that's it.

 

[seashoreCM]

Now they might need the eyewitness reports that you had to take the time to fill out to help them in firing the cart driver or the van driver.

Now if they didn't present you with or send you the bill for anything (such as a copay) related to this and also they went so far as to pamper* you even more until it was time to head home, then you might not need to think of suing.

Disney hints: http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

* A word I used to see a lot in Disney vacation brochures.

 

[shaniadobie]

If he was able to go out for dinner, he wasn't hurt too badly IMHO.

I so agree with this statement ! If he was ok to go to dinner then it looks like he's trying to be "sue happy".
Write an e-mail or letter to Disney tell them about the situation and how you felt like you were not followed up with and go from there.....

 

[GreyStr0ke]

Everyone is acting like this isn't a big deal and that if it were them, they would do absolutley nothing.



These would be the first people to come on here and write why their Disney trip was ruined cause of this inccident and then propbably sue.

Being tossed around like that on a Disney bus sounds pretty serious to me. Moreso then not getting towel animals in your room. My main gripe would be the fact that it didn't seem like Disney went above and beyond to satisfy this family. It seemed like it was something like, "Heres a band-aid, let us know how your doing when you get home."

 

[Allegro]

Moreso then not getting towel animals in your room.

 

[LadyTrampScamp&Angel]

Well, I'm not a wuss and not one to rush to sue, wouldn't be quick to do stuff like that, however -

Whatever expenses that were incurred as a result of the accident (co-pays, meds, whatever) I would expect Disney to pay. If there's really a permanent scar that is visible/obvious and would cause me to be self-conscious about it at all, I'd expect them to pay for whatever it costs to have it fixed, if it's possible to fix it. If not fixable, then perhaps they'd be entitled to some small compensation for it. I'm not sure suing is necessary though. I'd present the bills, and my requests to Disney first and ask them to pay for it, see what response I get. They just might be more than happy to cover it. As for Dad the lawyer, wonder if he wants to represent them and get his cut? I think Disney basically should put things back where they were before the accident for these people but I don't think there was significant "pain and suffering" to be compensated extra for.

It is fortunate that no one was hurt even worse. Accidents do happen and head wounds do bleed a lot but that's life. I wouldn't be concerned about trauma to the 6 year old re seeing Dad bleed, such is life, it happens. My DS hit his head on a table when he was about that age and he was the one who bled. He's now 11 and doesn't even remember it.

Also I would have asked the managers for what I wanted and discussed my concerns with them right there, at the time but that's just me. BTW, am I missing something? I don't think Disney's follow up "sucked". But just my 2 cents

 

[Macca1111]

Unless he is a model, the scar will not monetarily affect him.

Bingo

The DD seeing her dad hurt and upset, imho, isn't worth and money but then again I don't tend to agree with the whole "pain and suffering" aspect of lawsuits.

If there really was pain and suffering, maybe I could go along with that. But a head wound bleeds, we all know this, and I'm sure the kid's not going to remember the incident unless mom keeps bringing it up. I saw my dad break his wrist in frustration (a long story) - I was very young but it didn't scar me because he didn't panic and make a huge fuss about it. Besides, even if it did, how do you put a dollar amount on that? "I remember Dad bleeding for 45 whole minutes when I was young, and I've needed 45 hours of therapy to get over it, so you need to cover that cost"? As pointed out above, I'm sure she didn't think of suing until Dad mentioned it. I also think that since she refused immediate medical attention the lawsuit has less likeyhood of winning, but people seem to win really ridiculous claims. I would have been done with it that day.

 

[Shir Kahn]

I'm afraid that after a trauma like that, I'd have to hold out for lifetime Disney passes or I'd be scarred for life! Honestly! Yep, and maybe free hotel too!

 

[shaniadobie]

People know getting on any bus that they don't have seat belts so it's pretty much "ride at your own risk" yeah it totally sucks for them that this happened but i don't think it was something so major that they are going to sue over it. The one thing that i agree on is that they should have been showed a little more compassion from the managers and offered to have the medical co-pay paid for maybe even offered a free dinner on them but the dude was well enough to go to a dinner reservation so really i don't think it was so bad that they have to sue !!!!!

 

[inkkognito]

I'm not just coming in and pulling "I wouldn't sue" out of my butt. My husband has a scar on his leg as the result of an incident at Typhoon Lagoon that happened because of instructions he was given by a lifeguard. Due to those instructions, he slipped, fell, and got a pretty good wound that resulted in a noticable scar on his leg. But hey, things happen...could have probably been a payday if we wanted to push it, but I'm just sick of the "every little bump and bruise means someone owes me" mentality and he is too so we let it drop.

 

[ducklite]

The sad thing is that if the management had been more proactive in following up, had sent a fruit basket, comped dinner, the post never would have been made. Now it will potentially cost WDW thousands to defend a lawsuit, when a genuine concern would have settled the issue then and there.

As I read it, the person in the OP's post feels it's more about the principal than any monetary gain.

 

[LuvsTinker]

Chances are good that I would not sue.

When my older son was about 6, a babysitter's dog bit him in the face. It wasn't terribly bad but it did need to be bandaged close and left a small scar. (this woman owned a house and had children of her own) I never brought my son over there again, but I never thought about suing her.

 

[barbarabini]

if you want to, retain counsel there and sue. Dont tell anyone, its your business. either your comfortable with the decision or not. It may be worth the hassle if there is scarring or med bills to be paid. Look into local counsel It may not if you are from a different state and find out that you required to sue in Florida.
Also, good luck getting a family friendly/disney unfriendly jury in a county whre most are employed by disney,

 

[disndatworld]

I know this isn't you, but everybody should try to do "the right thing"

The truth is WDW caused an accident, and are liable but will of course do a lot to protect their assets. They are not going to try to do the right thing.

Still I think the only real need for a lawsuit would be if it causes loss to the victim. Getting a good cut for the day and a wound for a month is not just for a lawsuit, in my opinion considering that sometimes "life happens" and I think people should give the world around them a little breathing room for mistakes (I know I have made some!!!)

I really think an apology goes a long ways. I don't think insurance companies want you to say "I'm sorry" though, so maybe that's why the individual was not well attended.

So to answer your question, I would decide If I'm not life-long injured or scarred just do my best not to get bitter and leave it. That's the only way to make the world a better place is to do it yourself.

 

[vtwep]

I haven't read the entire thread, but the feel I got from the first page was "she didn't get good attention afterwards".

Really? OK...maybe not immediate, but as soon as they got back to the resort, an ambulance was offered (and declined), a medical van/visit was offered (and declined), and they had a message from a manager following up, followed by a call from a manager at the bus company. OK, so they didn't get a dinner, or a basket, or whatever...but to me, it does seem like there was concern and that the things that were offered were rejected.

I'm sorry this happened to your friend - but I wouldn't do anything...especially after I was making posts on a message board about how my father, the lawyer, was saying "cha-ching". A good defense lawyer will find all these posts and use them as evidence against them, IMO.

 

[AMaloy314]

I don't want to sound spiteful, but how 'caring' does this person expect Disney to be? And who does she want them to 'care for'? Her husband for the injury? Her daughter because she saw it happen? Or her because she felt bad the next day and sat out the rides? And then her daughter again because she saw mommy not riding rides?
They were offered an ambulance. They declined. They were offered the use of a van and driver. They declined. The bus driver came back to check on them as soon as it was safe to do so. They spoke to 2 resort managers and a transportation manager, both of which had placed follow up phone calls to their room and left a message. This family tried to call a manager and did not think it serious enough to wait more than 5 minutes, nor to leave a message in case it interferred with a (more important?) dinner reservation. I'm sorry, but to me it sounds as if they only want to be 'cared for' on their schedule and through their bank account.

 

[Kathi OD]

When they refused the offer of an ambulance or medical van they pretty much were telling Disney that it was no big deal. They couldn't even wait for the manager to call back because they had to get to their dinner ressie. If the man was really hurt, he would not have been rushing off to dinner. Now, after the fact, they are concerned about the scar?? Is this man an actor where the facial scar will affect his ability to earn a wage? DD will get over seeing her daddy hurt. Accidents happen, life goes on. Send a letter to Disney, along with the bill, less whatever insurance paid. They will probably get reimbursed for their OOP medical expenses, at the very least.

I am so tired of people trying to get something for nothing.

 

[GrowingUpDisney]

If he was able to go out for dinner, he wasn't hurt too badly IMHO.

This is what I was thinking and is probably what a judge will notice as well. I would, however, do as others have suggested and write an email or hardcopy letter to the resort.

 

[mrp4352]

I haven't read the entire thread, but the feel I got from the first page was "she didn't get good attention afterwards".

Really? OK...maybe not immediate, but as soon as they got back to the resort, an ambulance was offered (and declined), a medical van/visit was offered (and declined), and they had a message from a manager following up, followed by a call from a manager at the bus company. OK, so they didn't get a dinner, or a basket, or whatever...but to me, it does seem like there was concern and that the things that were offered were rejected.

You beat me to the punch... Disney did offer help - granted not the resource the bus driver promised, but they did offer an ambulance and/or medical van.