Need help for accident at MK last night....any help/suggestions on where to turn?

[corinascot]

I think your sister has to talk to the manager and tell them what SHE wants. For instance, she might say she wants them to compensate her for the stroller and their clothes and she'd like park passes for all of them as the experience ruined their day. She doesn't have to be nasty about it, just insistent. And, I hate to say it, but she might use the words "contact my attorney".

It's seem like these days (I've noticed this alot with airlines and bumping policies), if you don't insist upon something, it doesn't happen. Instead of being proactive, more and more companies only respond to the squeaky wheel.

Glad to hear your sister has a sense of humor about the situation, but she should insist that Disney compensates her in a more equitable fashion.

Corina

 

[rangebob]

I'll see if the Disney operators can transfer her to somebody at the MK. The # is 407-824-2222.

 

[Big V]

What a terrible thing to have happened to them on vacation. I hope they can get some satisfaction from Disney for this. Please keep us updated.
Scott

 

[MHopkins2]

You know, I read a lot of posts on these boards, allow myself a private at the "tragedy," and move on. But this is absolutely APPALLING! (!!!!!!!!!!!) I'm thoroughly disgusted at Disney's response! Please do keep us updated on the situation.

 

[kymi]

All I can say is---"SHAME, SHAME, SHAME ON DISNEY!!!!!"

I'm so surprised to hear this. You would think their customer service would be tops. It's very disappointing to hear this!!!!!

 

[dizagain]

Wow. Very rarely do I actually read an entire thread, but I just did. I am so GLAD the oil wasn't hot - I was almost in tears before I figured that out!

I am shocked by the behavior of Disney staff - hello? Any of you people out there??? It makes me so sad. Keep encouraging her to FIGHT for compensation - she DOES deserve it! I mean, any local average restaurant would do better....my sister has had a pair of $100 shoes replaced by a local chain when salad dressing was spilled on her feet!

We've had only positive experiences at Disney. My mom tripped over my daughter's foot at AK and fell down. Within about 30 seconds a manager who had seen it happen on video was at her side wanting to get a cart to take her to First Aid and he even wanted to call the paramedics in to check her out. She was fine and we declined his help, but I was impressed because the accident didn't even have to do with anything "Disney".

I am NOT impressed with what I'm reading today - please keep us posted and extra pixi-dust from me to your family!

 

[jlw29]

Originally posted by seashoreCM

I don't think the oil is hazardous. It is eaten with the popcorn.

Popcorn oil is not hazardous if it is eaten, but if it is INHALED, it can cause severe respiratory distress.

 

[CBCit]

The answer to the reason as to why the Disney officials act as they do is right there in the last post. In their case the manager saw the incident and HAD VIDEO so there was no chance of Disney being held liable. Therefore he was able to be as helpful as he possibly could without being afraid of opening Disney to further damages. In our litigation crazy world employees of companies like Disney who have "deep pockets"(lots of $ to pay claims)are trained to be very careful not to do or say anything that might implicate Disney or look like Disney is admitting fault or accepting responsibility for an accident. Unfortunately because so many people take advantage of the slightest mishap to try and get something from companies like Disney,people like the original poster who had a legitimate gripe get treated poorly. If she gets high enough up the ladder of authority,someone from their claims department should offer her fair compensation in exchange for a signed release.

 

[cobbler]

All I can say is Wow, other than that I am speechless on their repsonse/reaction. Not acceptable is all I can come up with.

 

[DizBelle]

forget it - too much trouble......

 

[Simba's Girl]

Not surprised one bit...we were in a Disney BUS accident last October on our first day. Luckily no one was hurt but we were literally *this close* to spending our vaccation in the hospital-DD (very petite) and MIL went flying and luckily MIL was holding onto her very tightly. The "suit" did *nothing*-no fast passes, no apology-no follow up (you know are you guys still ok?). IMHO you're lucky you got anything at all!

 

[DizBelle]

Originally posted by Simba's Girl
Not surprised one bit...we were in a Disney BUS accident last October on our first day. Luckily no one was hurt but we were literally <this close> to spending our vaccation in the hospital-DD (very petite) and MIL went flying and luckily MIL was holding onto her very tightly. The "suit" did *nothing*-no fast passes, no apology-no follow up (you know are you guys still ok?). IMHO you're lucky you got anything at all!

You didn't say who was at fault in the accident. If Disney was at fault, they should have compensated you for something. If the other driver was at fault, then that driver should compensate you.

Disney should not be held responsible for things that are not their fault even if it does happen to one of their buses when you are on it.

This popcorn oil incident is different in that it is clear that Disney is to blame. They either had poor oil transport procedures in place or the cast member failed to follow them. In this case, Disney should compensate the family for the significant expense and inconvenience.

 

[Simba's Girl]

Well seeing as the Bus hit the other car, Disney was at fault.

 

[DizBelle]

Originally posted by Simba's Girl
Well seeing as the Bus hit the other car, Disney was at fault.

Hmmm, this is still not enough information to say who was at fault. Did the car turn in front of the bus? Did the car make an improper lane change into the path of the bus? Did the car fail to yield the right of way to the bus? Just because the bus hit the car doesn't mean that the driver of the bus was at fault.

 

[kaylajr]

Unbelievable to me that Disney could be so uncaring about something that was totaly their fault

I hope that your sister keeps pushing until someone at least pays for the damage to the stroller and their clothing

hopefully Diseny will correct this error in judgement soon

let us know what happen today

i keep checking my computer at work for an update

 

[WDSearcher]

Originally posted by lfontaine
I sent an email to WDW telling them that I don't think they did enough and asked them to make it right for the popcorn-oil-family. It was a VERY LONG email. Let me know if you want me to post it.

Since you weren't part of the oil accident (were you? I may have missed that post), and are basing your opinion on what Disney did or did not do without having any first-hand knowledge past what's on this board, I'm not sure how your e-mail will help. You don't even know the family's name, do you? (Please tell me you didn't call them "the popcorn-oil family" in your e-mail ... ) Even the OP wasn't sure of the exact facts (which bridge this happened on, for example) and was waiting for more information.

Your e-mail could actually hurt any efforts to help this family, since anything you put in your e-mail that doesn't speak directly to the facts they already have in their report will have to be investigated, and that may just take time and trouble that could have been better used elsewhere.

Plus, a VERY LONG e-mail is generally not the best way to get a complaint across. A short and consise statement of the facts, plus an indication of what compensation is requested is the best way, according to experts in this kind of thing. And, of course, it's always better if the complaint comes from someone actually involved in the incident.

Being indignant about how it's handled is one thing, but to take it upon yourself to scold someone about what they did or didn't do when you don't actually KNOW what they did or didn't do is a bit over the top, IMO. Unless, of course, they asked you to help, in which case, disregard everything else I just said.

 

[WDSearcher]

Originally posted by lfontaine
This popcorn oil incident is different in that it is clear that Disney is to blame. They either had poor oil transport procedures in place or the cast member failed to follow them. In this case, Disney should compensate the family for the significant expense and inconvenience.

In the bus example, you stated that we don't have enough information to say who was at fault. I would suggest that the same is true here. Disney is not "clearly" to blame because we don't have all the facts. If the transport vehicle (the cart or the trolley or whatever) that was being used is the reason the oil fell -- if a wheel broke off or it was too small to handle the weight of the oil container or whatever -- then perhaps Disney is to blame. But if the CM in question simply lost their grip -- if they tripped, or sneezed and lost their grip on the oil container -- then it's a true accident that can't really be blamed on anyone. Accidents happen. Presumably, popcorn oil has been transported on that same route many, many times, and probably by that same CM -- all with no incident until last night. So, unless Disney changed the transport policies last night and this was the first time the oil was being sent that way, then I don't see how the company in general is responsible, except for the fact that it happened on property.

Of course, THAT basic fact is why the family should have been better taken care of. Even if it was a flat-out accident -- the CM hit a bump in the bridge and lost her grip, thereby spilling the oil -- Disney should have taken far better care of this family than they apparently did. And that seems to be the concern of the OP -- not being angry or placing blame regarding the actual spill, but rather being upset at how it was handled.

 

[DizBelle]

Originally posted by WDSearcher
Since you weren't part of the oil accident (were you? I may have missed that post), and are basing your opinion on what Disney did or did not do without having any first-hand knowledge past what's on this board, I'm not sure how your e-mail will help. You don't even know the family's name, do you? (Please tell me you didn't call them "the popcorn-oil family" in your e-mail ... ) Even the OP wasn't sure of the exact facts (which bridge this happened on, for example) and was waiting for more information.

Your e-mail could actually hurt any efforts to help this family, since anything you put in your e-mail that doesn't speak directly to the facts they already have in their report will have to be investigated, and that may just take time and trouble that could have been better used elsewhere.

Plus, a VERY LONG e-mail is generally not the best way to get a complaint across. A short and consise statement of the facts, plus an indication of what compensation is requested is the best way, according to experts in this kind of thing. And, of course, it's always better if the complaint comes from someone actually involved in the incident.

Being indignant about how it's handled is one thing, but to take it upon yourself to scold someone about what they did or didn't do when you don't actually KNOW what they did or didn't do is a bit over the top, IMO. Unless, of course, they asked you to help, in which case, disregard everything else I just said.

You just can't win in this world. Nobody gives a flying flip that you are just trying to help. That's why the world is so crappy. You get yourself sued by being a good samaratin. I give you CPR that saves your live, you sue me because a rib got cracked in the process. Is that fair?

You're telling me that I should not have sent the email because I do not have first hand knowledge of the incident. But you are passing judgement on the email I sent without having first hand knowldedge of it. Isn't that hypocritical.......

 

[ehsween]

Disney is not "clearly" to blame because we don't have all the facts. If the transport vehicle (the cart or the trolley or whatever) that was being used is the reason the oil fell -- if a wheel broke off or it was too small to handle the weight of the oil container or whatever -- then perhaps Disney is to blame. But if the CM in question simply lost their grip -- if they tripped, or sneezed and lost their grip on the oil container -- then it's a true accident that can't really be blamed on anyone. Accidents happen. Presumably, popcorn oil has been transported on that same route many, many times, and probably by that same CM -- all with no incident until last night. So, unless Disney changed the transport policies last night and this was the first time the oil was being sent that way, then I don't see how the company in general is responsible, except for the fact that it happened on property.

Even if it was an "accident" caused by a cast member, then Disney is still responsible (at fault).

It is the same as a car accident for example. If I am driving down the road and my hands accidently slip off the wheel because I 'sneezed' and that caused me to cross the center line and strike another vehicle or cross the white line by the shoulder of the road and strike a pedestrian, then even though it's an accident, it's still me that is at fault and I am liable. Now do you see why Disney is still liable? It was their employee or their oil transportation process that caused the accident.

 

[safetymom]

Let's not turn this incident into a debate. Those of us on the DIS do not have all the facts in this accident.

The OP should contact Disney and see if anything else can be done.

End of story.