ARIZONA WOMAN AWARDED $7.25 MILLION AFTER INJURY AT UNIVERSAL STUDIOS HOLLYWOOD'S HARRY POTTER RIDE.
In a landmark legal case, 74-year-old Pamela Morrison from Arizona was awarded $7.25 million by a federal court in California after suffering severe injuries at Universal Studios Hollywood. Her visit to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter with her grandson turned tragic when she was injured on the Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey ride in September 2022. The incident has since sparked widespread discussions about ride safety, theme park responsibility, and the importance of protecting visitors in all circumstances.
The Incident: A Magical Day Gone Wrong
Pamela Morrison’s day at the park, which began with excitement and anticipation, ended in an ambulance ride after a fall while exiting the Forbidden Journey ride. According to court documents, Morrison had been asked to exit the ride after her harness failed to secure properly. While exiting, she slipped as she stepped from the moving walkway onto solid ground, causing her to fall.
Morrison herself described the harrowing moment in court documents, saying, “The belt was still moving, and so my foot went on that belt and then ... my other foot went on to the stationary floor, and it knocked me off my feet.”
The slip occurred when the moving walkway remained in motion, which led to her feet not aligning properly with the stationary ground. Her fall resulted in serious injury and raised significant safety concerns about the ride's design.
Legal Battle: Universal Studios Found Liable for Dangerous Conditions
The legal case revolved around whether Universal Studios Hollywood was responsible for maintaining a safe environment for its visitors. Morrison’s attorney, Taylor Kruse, argued that the fall was entirely preventable and was caused by the failure of park employees to stop the moving walkway to allow the woman to exit the ride safely.
Kruse stated that halting the belt would have been a reasonable and simple solution, yet the park continued to operate the ride at high capacity, aiming to seat 1,800 riders per hour. According to reports, Kruse suggested that Universal Studios prioritized efficiency over safety.
While Universal's defense team argued that Morrison’s fall was her fault, citing surveillance footage that appeared to show Morrison distracted by her grandson, the jury sided with Morrison. The defense contended that Morrison failed to exercise adequate caution while exiting the ride, but the jury rejected this argument.
In a decisive verdict, the jury found Universal Studios responsible for the conditions that caused Morrison’s injury, awarding her a substantial $7.25 million in damages.
Expert Opinions: Ride Design and Safety Concerns
One of the key elements that influenced the jury’s decision was expert testimony regarding the design of the ride. Ban Choi, a safety expert from the Institute of Risk & Safety Analyses, testified that the design of the ride itself posed a significant danger. Choi explained that entering and exiting a moving walkway can be difficult and unstable, particularly when patrons are required to step perpendicularly onto a stationary surface.
“Entering and exiting a moving walkway perturbs the gait stability of the walkers, even when entering/exiting in the longitudinal direction of the moving walkway,” Choi explained in his review of the incident. “Given that Plaintiff Morrison was walking in the lateral direction of the moving walkway while feeling rushed to get off the moving walkway, her gait instability would have been greater.”
Choi’s findings were pivotal in illustrating how the park's design and operational decisions contributed directly to Morrison’s fall.
The Aftermath: Severe Injuries and Life-Changing Consequences
After the fall, Pamela Morrison was rushed to a nearby hospital where she was treated for serious injuries. Court documents reveal that she suffered a fracture in her lower back and a significant tear in the muscles around her hip—injuries that impacted her ability to move and even use the bathroom independently. These injuries resulted in a substantial financial burden, with Morrison incurring significant medical expenses.
The court’s award to Morrison reflected the severity of the injury and the long-term impact it had on her quality of life. The jury granted $250,000 for economic damages, covering medical bills and lost wages, while awarding $2 million for past noneconomic damages—compensating Morrison for the physical and emotional pain endured. Additionally, Morrison was awarded $5 million for future noneconomic damages, accounting for the ongoing pain and suffering she is expected to face as a result of her injuries.
Safety in Theme Parks: A Call for Better Protection
The case has ignited concerns about the overall safety protocols in theme parks, especially at high-capacity attractions like Universal Studios. The incident underscores the need for parks to prioritize visitor safety, ensuring that rides are not only thrilling but also designed with caution and care in mind. Moreover, this case highlights the importance of employee training to handle unexpected safety situations and protect guests from potential accidents.
As theme parks like Universal Studios continue to attract millions of visitors each year, the lessons learned from Pamela Morrison’s tragic accident could play a role in reshaping industry standards. Ride designers, operators, and safety experts will need to work together to address the risks inherent in such high-volume attractions and make necessary improvements to prevent future injuries.
