ANAHEIM, Calif. (KNX) – A wrongful death lawsuit filed against Disneyland claims employees “laughed” when a Ventura County woman struggled to get off a ride before she fell and broke her leg, sustaining an injury they say caused her death.
The lawsuit, filed by the daughters of Joanne Aguilar, claimed that on Aug. 22, 2021, the 66-year-old and her daughters, Andrea Maullul and Zenobia Hernandez, went to go on the Jungle Cruise ride. Aguilar, who had a knee injury, was using a wheelchair provided by the park’s Disability Access Service.
Disneyland cast members told Aguilar that a wheelchair-accessible boat was unavailable, the Orange County Register reported, citing the lawsuit.
Cast members, however, told the woman they could go one of the other boats. The suit said that while Aguilar was able to get on the boat with the help of her daughters, getting out was a different story.
When the ride was over, cast members put small blocks on top of the steps to reduce the height of each one. The lawsuit claimed that as Aguilar struggled to get off the boat, cast members “began [snickering] and giggling as they watched,” according to the Los Angeles Times.
Aguilar lost her balance and fell backward, which the lawsuit said fractured the femur in her right leg.
Aguilar was taken to an Anaheim hospital by ambulance and underwent surgery. After staying in hospital for 10 days, the lawsuit said she spent five months Oxnard rehabilitation center.
The lawsuit asserted that Aguilar got an infection which lead to septic shock. She died on Jan. 29, 2022.
Aguilar’s family is asking Disneyland for money for “all past economic damages”, the Times said.
Attorneys for the theme park not only denied the claims but also said any injuries Aguilar suffered were because of her or her daughters. They also asked for the lawsuit to be dismissed.
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