A Florida man has filed a lawsuit against Disney World after suffering serious injuries while riding a waterslide. Eugene Strickland claims he was hurt on the Downhill Double Dipper slide at Disney’s Blizzard Beach water park and is seeking more than $50,000 in damages. He accuses the theme park of negligence for the accident.
What Happened on the Waterslide?
The incident happened on July 31, 2021, when Strickland, who weighed 334 pounds at the time, decided to ride the Downhill Double Dipper. According to his lawyers, people weighing over 300 pounds should avoid single-rider waterslides, according to safety guidelines from the American Society for Testing and Materials. It is unclear if Disney’s slide has a specific weight limit.
Strickland used an inner tube to ride the slide, but the lawsuit says the tube suddenly slipped out from under him while he was moving at high speed. This caused him to land hard on the slide’s surface, leading to severe and permanent injuries.
Claims Against Disney
Strickland’s lawyers argue that the inner tubes provided by Disney were defective. They say the tubes were underinflated or otherwise unsafe, making it likely for riders to fall off during the ride. The lawsuit claims Disney knew about these problems but did not fix them.
Because of this, Strickland suffered permanent scarring and disfigurement. The injury is described as “catastrophic,” meaning it has caused serious damage that will affect him for life. His lawyers also say these injuries will continue to cause problems in the future.
This case raises important questions about safety at popular theme parks and whether rides are properly designed and maintained for all visitors. It also highlights how following safety rules and warnings can be critical to preventing accidents.
