Florida Woman Sues Universal Orlando After She Says She Suffered a Brain Injury While on a Roller Coaster
An Orange County woman and her husband have filed a lawsuit against Universal Orlando Resorts after she says she sustained a traumatic brain injury while on a rollercoaster. Geriann Irwin Clem and her husband Richard Clem filed their lawsuit in Orange County, Florida, last week against Universal City Development Partners, Ltd, which operates as Universal Orlando Resorts. The couple is seeking an amount over $50,000 in damages.
The lawsuit explains that on February 11, 2023, the couple rode the Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit roller coaster. The thrill ride is described on the amusement park's website as a coaster that takes riders up a 90-degree angle until it reaches a top height of 167 feet before a “ferocious drop" that takes riders to top speeds of 65 mph. On the ride down, the roller coaster goes through twists, turns, drops, and flips.
Clem says that when she got on the ride, her "head shook violently and slammed into her seat's headrest throughout the duration of the ride." Despite the coaster subjecting riders to twists, sharp turns, and flips, there were no head restaurants provided to riders. Clem goes on to claim that the theme park “failed to warn” her and other riders that they would be subjected to constant head shaking and slamming against the headrest. Irwin adds that the signs that were posted around the rollercoaster were “inadequate.”
The complaint argues the park was negligent because it failed to “maintain its premises and operate all its attractions and rides in a reasonably safe manner.”
As a result of the violent shaking, Clem says that she had "severe and permanent personal injuries." Her injuries include a traumatic brain injury, physical impairment, and mental anguish. Clem argues that she has suffered damages including inconvenience; loss of capacity for the enjoyment of life in the past; loss of capacity for the enjoyment of life in the future; medical, nursing, and rehabilitation expenses; lost wages, and other losses.
Richard Clem also alleges in the lawsuit that he has suffered and will continue to suffer “the loss of his spouse's services, support, consortium, and the care and comfort of her society.”
This is not the first time this particular roller coaster has come under scrutiny. In 2013, riders were stuck on the roller coaster for over two hours due to a technical failure. In 2019, six riders were stuck on the coaster after one of the coaster's cars malfunctioned.
In 2023, the coaster made headlines again after the coaster stopped mid-ride and left 24 passengers suspended. Firefighters were called to remove the passengers from the ride.
The amusement park has not commented on the recently filed lawsuit except to state that the company does not comment on pending litigation. Meanwhile, the couple is seeking a trial by jury.
