Dollywood Splash Country was recently sued by a woman who claims she suffered a compression fracture and other spinal cord injuries while riding a water coaster in summer 2017. Dollywood Splash Country, a water park subsidiary of Dolly Parton’s famous theme park, Dollywood, is located in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. The woman claims that she was injured while riding the RiverRush Water Coaster with her husband and their two daughters, despite following instructions from the theme park’s staff. According to the company’s website, the RiverRush is a water coaster in which guests are seated on a raft that races through powerful climbs, twists, and turns four stories in the air with riders experiencing four drops along 1,175 feet of track. The park allows a maximum combined guest weight of 700 pounds per raft, with a minimum height requirement of 3.5 feet.
According to the lawsuit, the woman was propelled off her seat and back onto the ride’s hard surface as the family’s raft neared the top of an incline. The woman reportedly heard and felt a pop, followed by a burning sensation in her back. By the end of the ride, the woman claims she was unable to feel or move her legs. Following the incident, the woman sought medical treatment where she was diagnosed with a compression fracture and unspecified spinal cord injuries. The couple is seeking $2 million in damages for negligent design, failure to properly inspect the ride, and failure to properly warn of the dangers of the ride.
If you or a loved one has been injured by a defective product, the experienced lawyers at the law firm of Abraham, Watkins, Nichols, Agosto, Aziz & Stogner can assist with your claim. Call us today at (713) 222-7211 or 713-222-7211 for your free consultation.