Ride Accident Settlement
Richard Bonner
here in Dartmouth. On Friday, August 14th they had a story about a
settlement awarded to a girl who had an accident on an amusement
ride. The details are as follows:
In September of 1996 8-year old Danielle Foti attended Bonkers-19
indoor amusement complex in Weymouth, Massachusetts. She was on
a flat ride that I was unable to decern, but it appeared to have
possibly been a "Himalaya". Apparently her hair got in the
mechanism (they reported the motor) and it & some scalp got yanked
out. She required extensive scalp stretching done over four
separate surgeries and today has a full head of hair.
The settlement she was awarded is a lump sum payment of
$300,000, a college payment of $120,000, and $20,000 per year for
life with increases. Her medical and legal expenses were also
covered. The total comes to about 7.5 million, tax free.
* * *
I don't know the circumstances but it appears she has a legitamate
claim. However, aside from expenses and pain & suffering, I feel the award
is excessive.
Richard Bonner
Managing Director:
The Coaster Enthusiasts of Canada
www.chebucto.ns.ca/~ak621/CEC/CEC.html
Eric Gieszl
lawyers and the courts are RAPING the insurance companies and those who
we sue.
There are risks you take and while yes her hair should not have been
ripped out, she did deserve to have her medical expenses covered and
maybe $10,000. $7.5 million this is bull $#%*! That is a lifetime
inheritance!
Do you know what would be great, they start taxing these sort of
earnings and reduce the taxes somewhat on the average citizen!
--
Eric Gieszl
--------------------------------------------------
Ultimate Rollercoaster
<http://home.earthlink.net/~egieszl/urc.html>
Rollercoasters - Theme Parks - Thrill Rides
<http://www.ultimaterollercoaster.com> Opening in August!
Dave Althoff
: I get Boston station WHDH (Boston Channel 7) through Access Cable
This incident is one of the ones which has been reported on those YOU
WON'T WANT TO RIDE A ROLLER COASTER AFTER YOU SEE THIS!!! stories that run
each spring. The ride was apparently a Mini-Himalaya, I believe a Wisdom
ride. Indeed, it was the motor where her hair got caught...as on the Mack
and Reverchon rides, the ride is driven by electric motors attached to the
ride sweeps. These motors drive multi-belt sheaves which in turn drive
friction wheels which push against the track to turn the ride. The system
works pretty well.
It was reported in one of those programs that apparently a safety cover
was missing from the ride. I don't know if that refers to a rigid belt
cover, or if this is something more along the lines of the canvas tarp you
can find between cars on the Mack version.
I agree with Richard, though, that while the claim is legitimate, the
award is excessive. The lump-sum payment plus compensation (medical and
legal expenses) would have been more appropriate...there is really no good
reason for continuing payments if the victim has recovered fully from her
injuries. The continuing payments reek of "Let's get this business to
keep our daughter set for life."
--Dave Althoff, Jr.
--
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Twainiac
>ride.
The news story I have seen named Zamperla as a co-defendant, so I would guess
that they were the manufacturer.
Robert Brown, Theme Parks Guide at The Mining Co.
http://themeparks.miningco.com
This week a Visionland report, SFOG next.