Disney goes to trial over safety of Tower of Terror

[AnOtHeRdIsNeYfReAk]

I agree with those who said as stupid as the case sounds, don't be surprised if the jury awards the man a boatload of money. Think back to the lady who sued McDonald's because she spilled hot coffee on herself after holding it between her knees, I believe. She was initially awarded millions!

Actually the McDonald's coffee case had some merit. It wasn't just that the woman spilled hot coffee on her. We've all done that. The difference with this case was the coffee was so hot it melted her clothing to her skin. The temperature it was served at is capable of almost instantaneous destruction of skin, flesh and muscle. She was hospitalized and required debridement and skin grafts. The woman wanted to settle for hospital fees but McDonald's refused. The jury awarded such a large settlement because McDonald's admitted they knew serving the coffee at higher temperatures than necessary would cause burns but they also said they had no intention of reducing the temperature to below the threshold for third degree burns (a mere 20 degrees or so). Though I agree 2.7 million is an insane sum, it equals 2 days in coffee sales for McDonald's.​

This Tower of Terror case on the other hand seems a desperate attempt to grab some money.​

 

[ckdsnynt]

This is why our judicial system is clogged - worthless cases brought by attorneys looking for a deep pocket with clients that refuse to accept responsibility for their own bodies.

 

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

This is why our judicial system is clogged - worthless cases brought by attorneys looking for a deep pocket with clients that refuse to accept responsibility for their own bodies.

That's often the case, but remember that when it's YOUR turn to be on a jury.

BobK/Orlando

 

[ckdsnynt]

That's often the case, but remember that when it's YOUR turn to be on a jury.

BobK/Orlando

Lucky enough to be exempt from jury duty due to my profession!

 

[PammieJ]

LOL driving in boston must be nuts around rush hour

Yeah, stop lights are just a suggestion....

 

[Disco]

Actually the McDonald's coffee case had some merit. It wasn't just that the woman spilled hot coffee on her. We've all done that. The difference with this case was the coffee was so hot it melted her clothing to her skin. The temperature it was served at is capable of almost instantaneous destruction of skin, flesh and muscle. She was hospitalized and required debridement and skin grafts. The woman wanted to settle for hospital fees but McDonald's refused. The jury awarded such a large settlement because McDonald's admitted they knew serving the coffee at higher temperatures than necessary would cause burns but they also said they had no intention of reducing the temperature to below the threshold for third degree burns (a mere 20 degrees or so). Though I agree 2.7 million is an insane sum, it equals 2 days in coffee sales for McDonald's.​

This Tower of Terror case on the other hand seems a desperate attempt to grab some money.​

You beat me to it. Everyone points to the McD's coffee case as the benchmark of a frivolous lawsuit which makes me so mad. Spilling hot coffee in one's lap doesn't seem like a big deal but they just don't understand the facts of the case.
Part of the problem is that it is difficult for people to grasp how incredibly hot something needs to be to render flesh from your bones. This is something McDs managed to do with liquid in a cup that they hand to people who drive up in their cars.
They were sued again shortly after losing this case because instead of fixing the problem they put a warning label on the cup saying the contents were hot and may burn if spilled.
How about a label that says contents will melt clothing, render your flesh from your skeleton and most assuredly kill your baby if accidentally dumped on them? I would definitely use my drink holder then…

 

[doconeill]

LOL driving in boston must be nuts around rush hour

There's a local commercial running, which features new Red Sox pitcher John Lackey looking at a map, and commentator John Orsillo "helping" him, explaining things like how Route 128 and I-95 are the same, until they are not...and if you go far enough on I-95 South, it becomes I-93 North...

Lackey asks, "So, what's a rotary?" "Oh, you'll find out..."

This Tower of Terror case on the other hand seems a desperate attempt to grab some money.

Apparently they've got some pretty big hands and eyes...I assume Disney attempted to settle as usual but they wouldn't have anything to do with it...

 

[PammieJ]

Lackey asks, "So, what's a rotary?" "Oh, you'll find out..."

A rotary is God's way of reminding us that life is short and precious! The one in Portsmouth NH is so dangerous, there's a liquor store at one of the exits!

And you have to wonder about the added benefit for Disney with all the publicity surrounding ToT. If I was wasn't really thinking about a trip to Disney, I might be thinking about it now, knowing that they have a ride that might give me a stroke!

 

[doconeill]

A rotary is God's way of reminding us that life is short and precious! The one in Portsmouth NH is so dangerous, there's a liquor store at one of the exits!

Is that for before or after entering the rotary?

 

[PammieJ]

Is that for before or after entering the rotary?

Actually, it's right on the rotary, (so you have to get off 95), and it's right before the exit to the Spaulding, towards NH. Tax-free booze, to shore you up after the exodus from Massachusetts!

 

[clkelley]

Apparently they've got some pretty big hands and eyes...I assume Disney attempted to settle as usual but they wouldn't have anything to do with it...

Actually Disney isn't in the habit of "just settling" on frivolous suits. They do defend those pretty vigorously.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

http://www.wftv.com/news/23309858/detail.html

 

[skiingfast]

Actually Disney isn't in the habit of "just settling" on frivolous suits. They do defend those pretty vigorously.

I agree, I read a unofficial book about Disney that discussed a number of case they took to triel to defend there brand rather than weaken it by publicly settling.

Of course each case is a business decision for a corporation and I'm sure they looked at the defense cost and the settlement cost and decided on this one to go to court. They wouldn't if they thought they would loose and risk punitive damages.

 

[jessicaerv]

Strokes are not caused by movement of the head. They are caused by blockages or bleeds . It takes time and eating the wrong foods for years and years generally before you have a stroke. Or maybe your blood vessels have a weaker spot that give and bleeds into the brain.

Actually, this is only partially correct. A woman here in California had a stroke after a violent sneeze; it was on the news just last week. She is young, a marathoner, and just had an attack of sneezes. She moved her head so violently during one that it "compromised" her artery (I think it was the carotid). After a couple days, the blood clot in her artery detached and traveled to her brain. So, while the PP says strokes are not caused by movement of the head, PP ALSO says blood vessels may have a weaker spot that give and bleeds into the brain. The two are not mutually exclusive.

Having said all that - I think the lawsuit is bunk. There are disclaimers EVERYWHERE ----- riders beware!

 

[SKWDW]

IMO his flight home to Penn could have potentially damaged his head more than ToT.

Wow, with a family history of stroke plus pre-existing conditions, I'm stunned this actually made it to court.