Has Anyone Ever Gotten Hurt

[wenabre]

Hi Shirley and John,
I was so sorry to see this post this morning and learn that John had been hurt. I hope things sort them selves out soon and that John is on the mend and everything gets sorted out with Disney.
Having met you and John last year was one of the hi-lights of our cruise and Kaighley thinks the world of you both and I know she will be sad to learn of John's injury. Knowing you two, I know John would not do anything intentionally foolish and I can't understand how this contest could be held in a pool that you can't dive into, very stupid on DCL's part.
You are in our thoughts and prayers for a speedy recovery. Please let us know how things are going with you both.

Wendy
PS I guess this would be a tacky time to say you should have waited and come sailing with us at the end of April? Kaighley keeps saying its the one thing that would make this next cruise perfect!!

 

[shirley 38]

Thank you everyone for replying. Is the event dangerous. Yes. I did not mention even after John got hurt they continued it.
Also during the same event same day another person got hurt they had to go into the pool to get him out. But still continued the contest?????
He was in the medical waiting room with us. He seperated his shoulder.
I would really like to work this out with disney. Like I said they told me everything would be taken care of.
Yes the do have a ICU on board ship at least that is what the name of the room is.
They also have an xray machine on board. This is how they thought he had injury to C6 something showed up.
Don't get me wrong they treated us wonderful.

The fellow who was directing the event came to the cabin to see John.
Doctors and nurses were calling and stopping in.
If you are familiar with the comedian Rich, he called John twice.
Not to forget Danielle from Guest Services who was fantastic.
I am just hoping DISNEY DOES THE RIGHT THING.
Everything is in the hands of RISK MANAGEMENT.
And I cannot repeat this enough John was picked for the event.
So if anyone would have an address that I could write someone affiliated with the Cruise Line could you please e-mail me.

I do not think this event should continue and would like to express it. One other thing the event before it is a scavenger hunt.
It says around the pool No Running. People were jumping over chairs running and some diving into the pool. ALSO A DANGEROUS EVENT.
Both are fun to watch but at what cost.????
Thank you again and please like I asked before please pray that John will be alright.

 

[mcnuss]

Shirley, I just pm'd you.

 

[mmouse37]

Try this address:

Guest Communications
Disney Cruise Vacations
P.O. Box 10210
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830-0210


I had sent a letter to DCL about something and this is the address on the letter sent back to me. The Manager of Guest Communications at the time (this was 2 years ago) was George Parker. I do not know if he is still the Manager.

Good luck and I truly hope your hubby has no lasting effects.

MJ

 

[IrishCowboy]

Shirley,
I'm sorry to hear about your husband's injury. I agree with you that DCL should probably discontinue the belly flop contest if there are injuries occuring during the event.

However, I doubt that you have much legal standing in the U.S. courts if the event occured while at sea. Hopefully, DCL will do the right thing and compensate you and your husband for your injuries, pain and suffering.

 

[two4ruff]

Shirley-
Please let John know that Jill and Paul from the April 2002 cruise dismeet are thinking of him. We're pulling for him and his is in our thoughts.

Jill

 

[Mjasp]

As of last year May 2002 George Parker was the person I directed my concern to. But the address I have that was given to me by guest services via a business card is...

Disney Cruise Vacations
Guest Communications
P.O. Box 10238
Lake Buena Vista, FL. 32830-0238

 

[mmouse37]

I think with either address it will get to him....I believe it is all one building anyway. I took the address I posted off the letter sent back to me. I am sure it will get there either way!!

MJ

 

[trishy]

That is just aweful! We are sending you our wishes for John's full recovery ...

For the sake of future passengers who don't have knowledge of the DISboards, I too hope they stop this activity - proven to be extremely dangerous on at least two occasions mentioned here. I haven't seen the contest, but saw it listed in the navigator. To be honest, I didn't think much of it or its risk. These adult pool activities always sounded a bit "wild" to me, but I'm more of a people watcher than a "doer". I would definitely get some legal advice on this one.

 

[aprilgail2]

I hope everything works out for you both! I saw that contest when I was on the ship and personally I would have never done it, picked or not...

 

[AnnMorin]

Originally posted by IrishCowboy
Shirley,
.

However, I doubt that you have much legal standing in the U.S. courts if the event occured while at sea. Hopefully, DCL will do the right thing and compensate you and your husband for your injuries, pain and suffering.

I just asked my husband and he said being in international waters does not absolve Disney of liability. That you would probably have to file in Federal District court in Florida. He also said that if you can establish that Disney was on notice that many other people have been injured because of this game that could establish them liable by not telling your husband there is a risk involved. However if you can not prove prior injury by other people then he assumed the risk and Disney had no knowledge that it was a dangerous game. So you need to look for other passangers who have been injured. Also you would definately need an attorney for Federal Court. The lawyer would go for pain and suffering, lost wages etc.. and probably take one third of what you recieve.

 

[4nana]

Shirley ~
So very sorry to learn your husband was injured on your vacation.
I can imagine the toll it is taking on your family. In your situation I recommend going straight to the top, pres. of DCL, Mr. Matt Ouimet. This sounds like a possible serious injury, you may want to seek consultation of a maritime lawyer.

I was quarantined on a recent cruise for a medical disabilty, mistaking taken for Norwalk virus. I've gone around and round w/Disney, Mr. Ouimet, still feel I was unjustly punished and am very dissappointed they accept no responsibility. DCL and all cruise lines do whatever it takes to CYA, one does not have many rights on international ship/waters.

I wish you luck and your husband a complete recovery.
Remember to keep the faith ...you'll need it ^i^

 

[mcnuss]

http://www.cruiselaw.com/interview.html

 

[perdidobay]

I'm so sorry your husband was hurt
When I cruised in Feb, I was part of the game they play to collect things around the pool. Guy had to bring back two people with him. I was one of them... I had no idea that would automatically make me a bellyflop contestant....needless to say, I just cannonballed into the pool. I'm glad I did, now that I hear what happened. I will never do that game again.
My best wishes for his recovery........
MJ

 

[Mjasp]

McNuss...Very Interesting reading.


Thanks for taking the time to find it.

Joanna

 

[plutojudy]

Sorry to hear John's injuries were so serious. We enjoyed spending time with you last year. John is such a happy person. I hope he is on the road to recovery.
Judy

 

[katerkat]

Oh my gosh, Shirley! I was on that cruise! Was it the second belly flop contest, held on the last day at sea? I saw that one and a guy went in badly and hurt his shoulder. He had trouble getting out of the pool -- we thought he dislocated his shoulder. If it wasn't this contest and at least two people were injured on the same cruise...

As a lifeguard, i hate belly flop contests. Especially when people don't know how to do it. (Professional belly flopping guys normally know how to do it and don't get hurt -- other than their tummies!) I almost had a heart attack during the scavenger hunt -- the number one cause of injuries around pools is RUNNING!! Argh!!

 

[Julma]

I am so sorry to hear about your husband!! Disney should be aware of the danager of any pool and that extreme care must be taken to ensure safety. I grew up with a pool. The rules were long, no running, no jumping or diving in the shallow end, etc. Pool are for swimming and cooling down. When you get a lot of people and start playing unsafe games, it is a disaster waiting to happen. I think Disney should rethink their pool games, especially if people have been drinking alcohol that Disney has served them. People tend to assume that DCL would not be doing things that would put their guests into danager and get lulled into a false sense of security. I would certainly get a lawyer and make sure your rights and the rights of your husband are protected. As stated on prior post, DO NOT SIGN anything. You may be signing away your rights. Gods speed to your husband!

 

[tezb]

I too am very sorry about your husband's accident. I hope he gets well soon!

AnnMorin is right in that disclaimers mean nothing in court..esp if it is proved that there was negligence or the accident could have been prevented. Years back we sued our county because my son (at the time was 6) nearly had his thumb amputated because of a faulty basketball hoop at a summer day camp. It was hand made and didn't meet certain regulations and there was a sharp nail sticking out of the hoop/rim. A boy a few days earlier cut his head on it and the camp did not remove it. Then a few days later, my son slam dunks and his whole thumb gets caught in the nail/hoop and it falls on top of him. His thumb was badly severed and it was grey. Anyway, long surgery, etc. We sued because we felt this could have been prevented and it was negligence. All the other attorney kept saying to me was that I signed a disclaimer and that my son was told NOT to slam dunk...they will try to say anything to scare you. Anyway, long story, short...we won....even though they tried to say we had signed our lives away! So don't feel hesitant in this. This sounds like a serious injury and Disney needs to know it is a dangerous activity and could have been prevented if they knew of other injuries...there could have been more you don't know about. DCL should also have someone inspect or approve the games they play to make sure they are safe...not wait to see once the passengers play them. I hope they don't have the teens play this game..any pool games can be dangerous I think.

good luck to you and your husband in whatever you decide. The most important thing right now is his health and quick recovery. I'm sorry I went on w/ this story but your situation brought back memories....take care.

 

[shirley 38]

Thank you everyone for your prayers and concern. John does have an injury due to this contest.
I really can't say much more as we are seeking advice.
I am so upset not so much at Disney but to allow this contest to contunue.
Yes John was in the contest that two people go hurt in Feb. He was the first one hurt but it was not his shoulder that was injured. He hit is head, ear cheek and shoulder on the bottom of the pool.
They second person to get hurt dislocated his shoulder. I heard they had to help him out of the pool.
Also it has been noted in these discussions that they are continuing woth the event.
I feel like OH well no one has been really injured yet. Well that is wrong really wrong.
I just hope that stop the scavenger hunt and the belly flop contest.
Will let you know that he is still not back to work and maybe will not be able to do all his duties on his job. This is really going to hurt us financially.
I just keep hearing the neoursurgeon saying ' WITH THE ACCIDENT YOU HAD YOU SHOULD NOT BE HERE' That is when it finally set in that I could have lost him. Thank you God for not taking him from me.