The happiest place on earth might not be so happy now as members of their staff are being charged for allegedly mistreating a disabled woman.
Andrea Mallul and Zenobia Hernandez, daughters of California woman Joanne Aguilar, a 66-year-old disabled woman, are accusing the park employees of Disneyland of laughing at their mother when she fell while exiting the Jungle Cruise ride. It was also reported that these employees did not even help the old lady from her fall.
Moreover, complainants stated that Aguilar broke her leg from the accident, and then died five months later from contracting an infection that led to septic shock.
"My clients went to Disneyland with the hopes of creating life-long happy memories and instead are left with the memory of a lack of dignity and respect for their mother which ultimately led to her final demise. Two daughters are heartbroken, healing and seeking accountability for Disney cast members who laughed at their struggling mother instead of helping her," Michael Jeandron, the family's attorney, stated as quoted by The Orange County Register.
Disneyland: Not our fault
Disneyland, however, has since denied the allegations. In a response filed in California U.S. District Court , the Anaheim theme park emphasized that they have exercised their "duty of care", and that Aguilar and her daughters were aware of the risks and still continued to do the ride. Any injuries they may have were "caused or contributed" by themselves.
Further, the Walt Disney Company plans to seek a jury trial, Inside The Magic reported.
Aguilar, with her daughters, visited the theme park on August 22, 2021. She was then recovering from a knee injury, thus, the employees provided her with a wheelchair as part of the park's Disability Access Service.
When they got to the Jungle Cruise ride, the staff informed the family that the Jungle Cruise boat that is accessible for wheelchairs was not available during that time. Yet, she continued to ride the standard boat with the help of her daughters.
When the ride was over, the complainants claimed that the employees did not assisted her resulting to a "dangerous and hazardous condition." Further, the cast members "began snicker[ing] and giggling" at her having a difficult time exiting from the ride.
Due to shame, embarrassment and being "dehumanized," Aguilar lost her balance on the unstable blocks and fell backward, fracturing her right leg.
Death as direct result of her fall
Aguilar was then rushed to Anaheim Hospital, where she had surgery and remained for ten days before transferring to a rehabilitation center.
According to People, after getting rehabilitated for five months, she developed an infection and went into septic shock. She died last January 29, 2022.
The lawsuit is claiming that her death is a direct result from the fall at Disneyland. It is also implying that the theme park gas violated the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Thus, the complainants are seeking monetary compensation for physical pain, mental suffering and humiliation in the form of "all past economic damages," which includes medical and funeral expenses, attorney fees, and other incidental damages that may have occurred.
Disneyland officials declined to respond anything more regarding the said case. reached this week declined to comment further on the lawsuit.
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