Not sure what to do - Need advise

[dbs1228]

We just returned from THV today and while there my parents were staying in a 1bdrm at SSR.(on RCI exchange) We were all leaving the THV Thursday evening and while coming off the stairs my Mom's foot caught the corner of the cement and pine needles which made her ankle fold and she fell pretty hard down a small embankment. She got up and said her wrist was sore but felt it was sprained. (I tried to get her to have it looked at but she really felt an ace bandage would do the trick) forward to this morning her hand/wrist swollen and ribs hurting. She went to front desk to find out the nearest hospital and a EMT looked at it and said to go to the ER for sure.

Well after 6 hours in ER, cast on broken wrist, CAT scan for ribs/liver check she was told she needs to go to a specialist on Monday for permanent cast, and she was suppose to leave tomorrow. They contacted the front desk about staying and explained what happened (which they already knew since she was there this morning) and was told it would be 525.00 if they wanted a additional night. After talking to a manager they were told they would give a FR discount of 360.00. They are completely miffed by this offer and have a villa full of stuff since they have been there for 8 nights and drove down from Connecticut. The ER doc said she really needs to go locally on Monday and have a specialist look at it. They have no idea what they are going to do. Is this typical of Disney? SSR told her she could fill out an accident report which she was not going to do because they have insurance. What will filling out the accident report do for them? All they want is to stay in the room 1 more night - will be out by 9 AM Monday morning is that unreasonable? Am I missing something? I would book the room on my points but I do not have enough (I got the 1st night for them). Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance I am frustrated - we are back in CT and I feel helpless!

 

[dzorn]

We just returned from THV today and while there my parents were staying in a 1bdrm at SSR.(on RCI exchange) We were all leaving the THV Thursday evening and while coming off the stairs my Mom's foot caught the corner of the cement and pine needles which made her ankle fold and she fell pretty hard down a small embankment. She got up and said her wrist was sore but felt it was sprained. (I tried to get her to have it looked at but she really felt an ace bandage would do the trick) forward to this morning her hand/wrist swollen and ribs hurting. She went to front desk to find out the nearest hospital and a EMT looked at it and said to go to the ER for sure.

Well after 6 hours in ER, cast on broken wrist, CAT scan for ribs/liver check she was told she needs to go to a specialist on Monday for permanent cast, and she was suppose to leave tomorrow. They contacted the front desk about staying and explained what happened (which they already knew since she was there this morning) and was told it would be 525.00 if they wanted a additional night. After talking to a manager they were told they would give a FR discount of 360.00. They are completely miffed by this offer and have a villa full of stuff since they have been there for 8 nights and drove down from Connecticut. The ER doc said she really needs to go locally on Monday and have a specialist look at it. They have no idea what they are going to do. Is this typical of Disney? SSR told her she could fill out an accident report which she was not going to do because they have insurance. What will filling out the accident report do for them? All they want is to stay in the room 1 more night - will be out by 9 AM Monday morning is that unreasonable? Am I missing something? I would book the room on my points but I do not have enough (I got the 1st night for them). Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance I am frustrated - we are back in CT and I feel helpless!

Have her fill out the accident report. They may end up covering her medical. If they drove down why would they not head home and see the specialist at home where she could get more consistent follow up care.

Is there some reason you think Disney is a fault because your mother tripped on the stairs? What it a hazzard that she tripped over or just miss her step? Because Disney defends many law suits a year I would not expect them to compensate your mother or cover her medical without going through the proper channels which would start with an accident report.

Unfortuately this is what travel insurance is for. I hope your mother has a speedy recovery.

The only other suggestion is to have them check into a cheaper resort/hotel. If they only plan on sleeping in the resort just pack what they need for the one night in a small bag and leave the rest of the luggage in the car.

 

[dbs1228]

Have her fill out the accident report. They may end up covering her medical. If they drove down why would they not head home and see the specialist at home where she could get more consistent follow up care.

Is there some reason you think Disney is a fault because your mother tripped on the stairs? What it a hazzard that she tripped over or just miss her step? Because Disney defends many law suits a year I would not expect them to compensate your mother or cover her medical without going through the proper channels which would start with an accident report.

Unfortuately this is what travel insurance is for. I hope your mother has a speedy recovery.

Actually she did not trip on any stairs I cannot explain it but I can see it happening again the way the walk way starts at the bottom of the stairs and it just drops off, the cement area/then pine needles beyond the stairs on flat ground, especially at night. Hard to explain, yes she will fill out accident report. She actually wanted to go to my brothers 2.5 hours away and see someone in his area (drive to CT right now would be quite painful) and the doctor advised her not to - I have no idea details as I said I just got home. Just frustrated - certainly not looking to sue or even get medical coverage - she has that. Not blaming guess I was hoping they would work with them for 1 night (not 400.00 a night with tax). I am sure they will find a place in the area tomorrow.

 

[Sammie]

I so sorry she was hurt, accidents on vacation are never fun. We have done the hospital thing before.

However that said if I had to stay over another night due to an accident I would never expect Disney to do anything,

The discount is a nice offer especially since the rooms sells for $632 per night.

 

[wehavesix]

Absolutely need to submit an accident report! Their health insurance will want to know where and how the accident occurred. There is a degree of liability to the property owner that will be settled between the insurance companies. Once the accident report has been filed, Disney should appoint a claims agent to your mom. I think your parents should check into a less expensive hotel and see a local orthopedic doctor before heading home if possible. It just seems best to have it all checked out and documented locally before traveling. Just to avoid any questions about when/where she was injured. That's just my very inexpert opinion though.

I will tell you that I broke my leg and arm in a bad fall at Epcot. We were staying at SSR. I was in the hospital so wasn't there but my DH says they were less than happy to accommodate our need for an extra day. He was very emotional at the time so that may have just been his perception of things. Anyway, our guide got involved and ended up getting it all taken care of so that we got that extra day. It was a very stressful time to say the least but I do feel that overall Disney did a good job of seeing to my needs and were fair in their dealings with us.

I hope your parents get home safely and your mom has a speedy recovery.

 

[disneynutz]

Disney gives out a lot of magic and pixie dust but as soon as possible liability comes into play, it's a different deal. The focus moves from the injured party to protecting Disney's assets. We have had a couple of incidents while at WDW and in both cases our contact with the CM's went from, "we are so sorry" to getting the cold shoulder with security, managers and other plan clothes Disney people present.

Any action on their part could be used later in court and since they are involved in thousands of incidents per year, their policy is pretty firm.

Submit a accident report so if there is a issue with the stairs/walk, a manager will visit the site and maybe correct it. You can also contact their claims department but remember the CM's there are all about protecting Disney so don't take it personally.

Bill

 

[DebbieB]

I would take pictures of where she fell.

 

[Dean]

We just returned from THV today and while there my parents were staying in a 1bdrm at SSR.(on RCI exchange) We were all leaving the THV Thursday evening and while coming off the stairs my Mom's foot caught the corner of the cement and pine needles which made her ankle fold and she fell pretty hard down a small embankment. She got up and said her wrist was sore but felt it was sprained. (I tried to get her to have it looked at but she really felt an ace bandage would do the trick) forward to this morning her hand/wrist swollen and ribs hurting. She went to front desk to find out the nearest hospital and a EMT looked at it and said to go to the ER for sure.

Well after 6 hours in ER, cast on broken wrist, CAT scan for ribs/liver check she was told she needs to go to a specialist on Monday for permanent cast, and she was suppose to leave tomorrow. They contacted the front desk about staying and explained what happened (which they already knew since she was there this morning) and was told it would be 525.00 if they wanted a additional night. After talking to a manager they were told they would give a FR discount of 360.00. They are completely miffed by this offer and have a villa full of stuff since they have been there for 8 nights and drove down from Connecticut. The ER doc said she really needs to go locally on Monday and have a specialist look at it. They have no idea what they are going to do. Is this typical of Disney? SSR told her she could fill out an accident report which she was not going to do because they have insurance. What will filling out the accident report do for them? All they want is to stay in the room 1 more night - will be out by 9 AM Monday morning is that unreasonable? Am I missing something? I would book the room on my points but I do not have enough (I got the 1st night for them). Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance I am frustrated - we are back in CT and I feel helpless!

I'm sorry for your mom's injury. However, I can't see Disney's obligation here so I don't see a free night as appropriate. I'd do the accident report (should have been done at the time). If they had take the travel insurance, which I suspect they declined as I would have, it likely would have paid the room, but it's a risk of not getting that type of insurance.

 

[drusba]

As to any advice above that Disney may not have liability, do not listen to it. That cannot be definitely determined by info given and that opinion is being expressed by persons who are not lawyers and I can tell you it is a lot easier to show liability for slips and falls than non-lawyers usually think it is, even against the mighty Disney. As to suggestion above that you take photos of the area where she fell, do it. As to an accident report, definitely do it but read it first to make sure it does not contain anything that looks like a waiver of claims against Disney. As to staying in the area to see another doctor after being told that is needed, definitely do it including because failure to do so could later be used against her in a civil action against Disney. As to expecting Disney to provide a free room, don't expect it. You do not know yet how serious the injuries actually are and you should not avoid something the first doctor says is necessary. Also important is for accurate records to be kept of any amounts spent on this injury from here on out, including keeping all receipts for any doctor, hotel, or other related costs.