This Is Very Important

[shirley 38]

There has been a discussion on this borad about my husband getting hurt in a disney event contest.
To say the least it got out of hand. I asked for people to say prayers for him.
I never mentioned a law suit. I was just hoping the DISNEY WOULD DO THE RIGHT THIN .
So PLEASE keep it in perspective.
."

 

[Hygiene99]

well i took part in contest and did not hurt myself peter

 

[house_of_princesses]

My father got hurt on Splash Mountain four years ago. He's still struggling with Disney to foot part of the vacation bill, not even the medical bills! I think Disney SHOULD reimburse you, but don't count on it.

Your DH must have had a host of angels surrounding him!

 

[ChiTownZee]

I think you should decide exactly what you want from Disney. Are you in contact with them? I don't think they are just going to go offering you cash and free vacations, so you need to decide what it is you want, start asking for it, and if you feel what you want is fair, and they won't give it to you, get a lawyer.

House - how did your father get hurt?

 

[house_of_princesses]

ChiTownZee, it's a long story, so here's the short of it. While in line the ride closed down. He was in the dark, under a canopy. The ride didn't look like it was going to start anytime soon, so, he and my sister tried to go back. Bunch of smart alec teen boys yanked the rope up under my Dad while he tried to go back. He fell, landed on a garbage can, tore up his shoulder so bad, it required drilling his bone in five or so spots so they could thread muscle through. Anyway, the worse part came when paramedics tried to get him out of there. No evac plan for such an instance. Nor would they give him as much as a Tylenol, and it took over an hour just to get him out of the attraction. THEN, while at the hospital I called to request a wheelchair and first floor room (Dixie Landings). They wouldn't deliver the wheelchair, I had to track it down. They gave us a room, but then at midnight I had to go to the old room and empty it out while a CM stood by looking at me. They claimed they needed the room at that moment. No one ever called to see how he was, if he needed anything, etc. Not even a letter, let alone a free meal! So, Dad tried dealing with Disney, to no avail. He got a lawyer, (which he hated doing, we're not big on litigation), and so far, Disney still has done nothing.

Sad thing is, no one was a bigger fan of WDW than my Dad. Until then. That trip was the first with the 2 GDD's. When the next two came along, I was afraid to invite him and mom along, but he was a trooper and we went last October. Unless with the GDD's, I don't think he'll ever go again.

And that is the short story! (Sorry so long.)

 

[mrsltg]

Nor would they give him as much as a Tylenol

Vicki, I am so, so sorry for what happened to your Dad! I hope he is feeling better now. As far as the above statement about the Tyenol, that's par for the course, not Disney being nasty. Pain is a great indicator of problems, so until he was assessed by a doctor, nothing to stop pain should be given. Just an FYI. The rest of the situation, though, is so sad!

Erin

 

[I Luv Disney Cruise]

I watched the flop contest last year and there was a guy that could have gotten seriously hurt he stood up on the railing that people can lean against or put their drinks right at the pool and jumped off. The CM's let all kinds of crazyness go on. Watching the whole thing made me nervous.

I think that pool is too shallow to be jumping in. I am 5'1" and I have to stand on tippy toes to have the water just at my neck.

I hope everything will work out in your favor. I will keep your husband in my prayers.

 

[katerkat]

I would just like to say YES -- I have seen people get hurt in belly flop contests before. (Not an injury as severe as John's though.) Including John and the other man injured at the one on the Magic that I was present at. I was a lifeguard for four years.

As a lifeguard at community pools, we have had bellyflop contests before, but NEVER in 5 feet of water. (I think Disney pool is 5 feet because it came up to about my neck.) Belly flop contests are fairly appropriate in 9-10 feet of water -- I believe less than that does not leave enough room for a margin of error. Heck -- I never allowed anyone to JUMP in a pool that was 5 feet deep -- the bottom is a lot closer than people think and if they don't tuck their feet correctly...

Also, we never allowed belly flopping OUTSIDE of contests, and never held contests WITHOUT a lifeguard present. I think what scares me the most about John's injury, Shirley, is the fact that if, when he hit his head, he was knocked unconcious, there was no lifeguard present to do anything. Yes, I would have been in instantly (in fact, I sat near the edge of the pool just in case!!), but I'm fairly small and I can't hold a grown man *correctly* above water very long without a float. That's why lifeguards have floats! And if I or another lifeguard-in-disguise wasn't present, no one would have know how to get him off the bottom and remove him from the pool while preventing further injury to his neck.

Also, to put it simply... They hold the contest on at-sea days, when people often start drinking early. They actively recruit "volunteers" from the bar area. Alcohol impairs judgment. Someone may THINK they can belly flop, and think it may be fun to try, because they're less than sober. It's not exactly the easiest thing to do if you don't know how and if you're not really sober when you're trying. You don't want to encourage people to drive when they've been drinking -- I don't want to encourage people to dive into a shallow pool when they've been drinking.

Just so everyone knows, I'm not arguing that Disney is at-fault for John's injury. I'm not a lawyer and I don't know about assumed risk. I'm saying that my opinion, as a lifeguard, is that Disney shouldn't be having the contest in THAT pool and in THAT set of circumstances.

 

[goofysgirl]

Please no flames on this, but I think that you should be talking to Disney about this. While we all sympathize with you and your husband, we can not do a thing about it but offer our 2 cents worth. If you feel that Disney is coming up short tell them My 2 yer old dislocated her shoulder in WDW. They could have not been more accomodating taking us to the nearest hospital, took care of our medical bills, and then offered up a huge Mickey to boot. Disney is a responsible business with a team of associates equipped to handle these problems one by one. Contact Disney they are the only ones who can answer all your questions. I belive that you said your work for the Disney Store. They should be able to point you in the right direction to handle this properly. Our prayers for a speedy recovery for your husband.

 

[Wishing on a star]

I just wanted to say good luck! And, best wishes for your husband.

Since this was a DCL sponsored activity, under the encouragement and direct supervision of DCL employees, then I do lean in your favor. Could you imagine any other small shallow pool without prominent 'No Diving' and 'No running' warnings! I agree that you do need to be very specific about what you feel DCL should cover. A lawyers advice may indeed be helpful.

Unfortunatley, since I do not see that Disney in any way contributed to what happened in the other unfortunate incident described here, that may indeed be slightly different story. It does not sound as if Disney had purposefully created a dangerous activity or environment. The guys who did that are basicly guilty of assault.

It is just so sad to hear of these things happening on what is supposed to be such magical Disney vacations.

 

[inkkognito]

Up until now, I have kept my New Years resolution and have avoided the "controversial" topics or saying anything that might be construed as a "flame." But goofysgirl, I think you make a great point, and I've finally felt compelled to jump in.
Tragedies happen, even at WDW and even on the Disney ships. Things come up, issues arise, and people are not happy. Sometimes it's for justifiable reasons, and sometimes it's for dubious ones. I'm not going to take it on myself to judge.
But when I think about the primary purpose of this message board, I think if it as a place to share and gather information about Disney cruise line. It's an information source, not a therapy group. I've always thought that the Debate and Community Boards fulfilled those roles very well.
I'm certainly not singling out this particular topic. It just happened to be a convenient spot to "vent my spleen." But it seems like over the past many months, this forum has been used to post ongoing sagas of peoples' issues with DCL...injuries, Norwalk, cancelled cruises, and so on. As goofysgal pointed out, some issues really should be dealt with directly with Disney Cruise Line (and with the intervention of a lawyer if you feel it is necessary). It's fine to give warnings, but it gets tiresome when topics go on and on and on. And worse, such posts inspire strong feelings on both sides of the issue, and that brings out the trolls and flamers and destroys the friendly community feel that I enjoy so much.
I'm not sure if people have begun to feel that Disney can be pressured to give in due to bad publicity in a public forum or whether it just feels good to vent to an audience. But I for one hope we can keep this as mainly a place to fine and share solid information on Disney cruising and use the other appropriate boards for topics that go beyond that objective.
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com

 

[pouncingpluto]

Great post, inkkognito.

 

[luv2tvl]

Thanks Barb!!
Perfectly put as usual!!

 

[bettemom]

Very well said Barb....

 

[mcnuss]

Shirley -- Like everyone else, I am sorry for your DH's troubles, but I am not sure why you think your original post got out of hand.

Specifically, your first post said:

My husbsand was seriously hurt and I am wondering what would you expect Disney to be responsible for.

So people told you what they thought.

You also said:

I am at a total loss. Do I get a high power lawyer and quit my job?

This is what got people replying about a) compensation and b) lawsuits.

At this point, I am not sure what you want us to help you with. If you want prayers for your DH, we can rally around that. But none of us can help with insurance company (you never said if you had trip insurance that I can recall), DCL or lawyers. And please remember, just because you hire a lawyer, does not mean that there has to be a lawsuit. A lawyer is hired to help you get the compensation you may be entitled to. Lawyers on their own do not file lawsuits; clients direct them to. So when we advise you to get a lawyer, we are not necessarily telling you to file a lawsuit.

At this point, I think you need to leave the confines of this Board and find someone who can provide actual help.

Good luck to you.

 

[tezb]

I agree w/ goofysgirl & mcnuss....this board cannot really help you get what you want from DCL. You should speak w/ them directly, even try writing a letter so you can really think about what you want to say. I don't really understand why you need to know who else got hurt if you don't intend to pursue your issues??? Just my opinion as that is how I interpreted your question...no flames please. Best to just stop the thread now before it gets out of hand and Michelle has to close again.

Again, I hope your husband recovers 100%. Best of Luck.

 

[Luckymommyx2]

I was just going to say that we need to end this discussion. There's really nothing more to say at this point and I think it has run its course.

Michelle, can you please close this??

 

[CarolAnnC]

As long as our threads here on the Cruise Board are following DIS Posting Guidelines, they will remain open. If anyone chooses to not participate, that is up to each individual.

Please email the Board Moderators if anyone has any questions regarding Posting Guidelines. Thank you.

 

[shirley 38]

Ok guys Disney treated us great when John got hurt. I mean they were really on top of it.
My concern is to do away with this Belly Flop contest and the Scavenger Hunt.
I HAVE TALKED TO DISNEY TODAY. I told them exactly that. So if you guys want to go and take the chance of getting hurt do the contest.
All I know I am trying to put a stop to it. And in my opinion I feel like I am trying to give people a heads up about two dangerous events on the cruise. Case Closed.
No Law Suit will just talk to Disney. I know they will do the right thing. They are investigating the events.
They are taking responsibility.
So please if you ever see anything that might not be too safe please let us know.

 

[KaitlinsMom]

I for one would not have thought twice about watching the belly-flop contest. Hey it would probably make good entertainment -

But now I am thankful that I am aware of how dangerous it can actually be. I will now not be an active bystander (sp?) of this event.

I believe Shirley just wanted to know if anyone else had gotten hurt in this event - Depending on the feedback, that would help her determine what her next step would be. No backlash needed - just information - Just my opinion -