Pharoh's must pay accident victim $4.9 million

I can't see how that happened unless the victim did something he shouldn't have. I worked the old Ferris Wheel at Geauga Lake and it sounds like a similar model.

The bar raises up and then out to unlock. I would say it has to go up at least 6 inches, maybe more, before it starts swinging out. In fact, there were times when it would bonk me on the head if it didn't stay up as I loaded people in.

If he was really trying to reach for the bar to relock it, he would have to reach up...not lean out. I wonder if the jury got to go out and look at the ride.

If it really was an accident then I feel sorry for the guy and his kid and he should receive compensation. From the description that I read, I have to think there was more to it than that.

Funny no one's fallen from IB's Sky Ride with restraints that don't latch at all. Am I catching a whiff of bad meat or good cheese?

-'Playa

-----------------
The CPlaya 100--6 days, 9 parks, 47 coasters, 2037 miles and a winner.....LoCoSuMo.

I wonder why our buddy Ed isn't chiding in here. Seems like a perfect oppertunity.

The thing that always amazes me about these cases (other than the fact that people are finding ways to legally take no responsbility for any of their actions) is that lawyers, and "victims" alike can always seem to agree on a "price of life" as long as it hits 7 figures ... I can understand medical expenses, but come on, what greater power determined that this guy's full health is worth $4.9 million dollars?

-----------------
Just don't be stupid. It's really not that hard.
Kumba's #1
-- Brett *** This post was edited by PittDesigner on 1/2/2003. ***

Since he is getting surgery, how does he calculate future earnings loss (since he will probably walk again) and why does he figure he will be in pain and suffering for the rest of his life?

Still, he'll be lucky if he sees one tenth of that $5 million.

-----------------
Please visit the small parks. We don't know what's happening behind the scenes
Woodencoaster.com

He figures it cause he can, and he can convince a jury of it with a sob story. I hope that he doesn't see most of that money. Enough to cover surgery, yes, beyond that, no way.

-----------------
Just don't be stupid. It's really not that hard.
Kumba's #1
-- Brett

I feel for the guy's injuries, and hopefully you can all agree that they aren't something we'd wish on anyone. I do also agree that there has to be some kind of personal responsibility. However, if indeed he was simply reaching for the bar, I can't entirely blame him either. There is no reason he should have a working knowledge of how the ride works or what happens when you lean like that.

-----------------
Jeff - Webmaster/Admin - CoasterBuzz.com - Sillynonsense.com
DELETED!

I don't think he needed a working knowledge of the ride. I only suggest that if he was simply trying to pull the bar back to a locked position he would have had to reach up, not lean out.

I don't know, I'd certainly feel "pain and suffering" if I lost a foot, which is still a possibility according to the article. Take away the current and possible future medical expenses, and spread the remaining money out over 40 years (if indeed the guy can't get another job), and he'll be living okay, but certainly not like a "millionnaire".

-----------------
I'd rather die living than live like I'm dead

I can't believe alot of you people. I don't blame the guy one minute for sueing for that much. Do any of you actually know how much surgery's cost now, not to mention the fact that he may never work again, or not even ever walk? It was obviously the failure of the ride that contributed to the accident (the spring was worn out). So, I don't blame him one minute for what he did, especially considering that there have been rediculous lawsuits for much more money than his.

Why is it that everyone here always assumes that its the riders fault when there is an accident? Sometimes things that sound so simple, can be so difficult to do.

If in fact he does gain full recovery, and doesnt lose any type of physical abilities, then he should(at the most)get 500,000.

Now, if he loses an ability(such as walking), he easily deserves 2 million out of that.

-----------------

I just don't see how he could accidently fall. Most of these ferris wheels(and I believe this one) require for the bar to be unlatched and raised up. Not to mention even once that is done you have to swing the car to get it far enough forward to cause you to fall out. It's not like the ferris wheel is a wild ride.

I've looked at a lot of ride related injuries. What I've noted is that most of the minor injuries are the rider's fault. The more serious injuries are most commonly due to mechanical problems or operator error, though rider behaviour is still a common cause.

In many of the cases, you will see a combination of fauilures lead to a serious accident. IE. Restraint was poorly designed, so it became worn which maintenance didn't catch, which made it easy for inattentive operator to not secure correctly, which allowed misbehaving rider to be injured. With no reference to this particular case, this type of thing does really happen.

I'm surprised it didn't happen earlier. Pharaoh's impressed upon me as being the single most dangerous park I've ever been too. All of their rides looked indifferently maintained, and it didn't help that they were playing the WORST music I have ever heard. It was a shame to pay $10 for the one credit there, but at least it's out of the way and I NEVER, EVER have to go back there.

-----------------
Mike Miller

"You're mental, Trouble Boy!"

What Bass is saying is that he'd rather eat his own poo than go back to Pharoh's Kingdom.

Moosh - if you can't beat 'em, join 'em.

-----------------
Sig under construction!

Ugh.

-----------------
'I've even got love for Canada'- Har Mar Superstar 'Brand New Day'

I was going to add that, but decided to be good.

-----------------
Mike Miller

"You're mental, Trouble Boy!"

I live right next to this park and I was talking to a former employee and he said never go to this park. The rides are suppost to be inspected once a year, but they're not. They have employees running the rides and haven't been trained on them. He just kept going on and on on how bad the park is being ran.

First, I feel bad for the guy, and hope his injuries heal, etc.

I guess what *strikes* me is that IB can have a skyride like it does, and it can operate safely without incidents and lawsuits...put the same skyride on either Coast (even worse in CA), and you'd have people getting hurt right and left....AND suing like crazy. Maybe the *personal responsibility* concept of the Midwest is one of those things the "city-folk" still need to learn....;)

bill, NO desire to eat anyone's *poo*...but if I'd pay for one trip on ME, you'd better believe I'd pay for one spin on their coaster, safety being a "relative" concern...