Writes Prof. Childs (Jun. 15) of the lawsuit over the death of a four-year-old hours after taking part in the Mission:Space ride:
Setting aside the allegation of a failure to respond properly (about which I know nothing), the lawsuit presents a fairly fundamental question in amusement litigation: when a ride does exactly what it is supposed to do, and when that action is well-disclosed to riders and is safe for the vast majority of people, who, if anyone, is responsible when that action causes foreseeable injuries to people with unknown preexisting conditions?…
As for a warnings claim, I don’t think I’ve ever seen a ride with such thorough signage.
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This child should not have been on this ride and the parents knew it. Maybe they should be arrested for child endangerment and negligent homicide.
http://www.sptimes.com/2006/06/15/State/Disney_sued_over_chil.shtml
“A medical examiner later determined the cause of death was an abnormal thickening of the heart muscle, a disorder that can throw heart contractions out of coordination.
The condition left Daudi more susceptible to sudden death, the examiner ruled.
Samartin said the family acknowledges Daudi’s heart was enlarged. But he said the boy was pronounced healthy by a cardiologist two years before his death.”
Having ridden the ride personally, as tens of thousands have, I can agree that I’ve never in all my amusement ride experience seen a ride with more warning than this one. It was almost more frightening than the actual ride.