In a recent jury decision in Los Angeles, a 74-year-old woman from Arizona was awarded $7.25 million after sustaining a spine injury at Universal Studios Hollywood. The incident occurred in September 2022 when Pamela Morrison, while enjoying the Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey ride with her grandson, suffered a fall. She was in the process of leaving the attraction due to a harness issue when she slipped while moving from the ride’s automated walkway to the stable ground, her lawsuit explained.
Morrison’s legal representative, Taylor Kruse, highlighted that the fall resulted in a spinal compression fracture. He argued that Universal Studios’ staff should have paused the walkway to ensure Morrison exited safely. Kruse stated, “Stopping the walkway for a mere four seconds could have prevented the accident, but the priority was maintaining their quota of 1,800 riders per hour.”
Contrarily, attorneys for Universal Studios Hollywood contended that Morrison was preoccupied with her grandson and was not paying attention to her step, attributing the fall to her oversight.
After a three-day trial, the jury in California reached a verdict on February 14, after four hours of deliberation. The jury held the theme park accountable for creating the precarious situation leading to Morrison’s injury. Morrison received $250,000 for anticipated medical costs, $2 million for past pain and suffering, and another $5 million for anticipated future pain and suffering, as her lawyer confirmed.
Universal Studios Hollywood has yet to comment on the ruling. According to Kruse, “The fall transformed her life significantly, a sentiment echoed by the jury’s decision. We believe the outcome was entirely just.”
