An Arizona woman has been awarded a hefty sum after a ride gone wrong at Universal Studios Hollywood. Pamela Morrison, a 74-year-old grandmother, was granted a $7.25 million jury verdict following a 2022 incident at the Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey attraction that resulted in a devastating spine injury.
In a revelation that sounds plucked straight from a courtroom drama, Morrison's attorney, Taylor Kruse, disclosed to AP News that employees failed to stop the moving walkway, creating a perilous situation that led to Morrison's fall. "It would have cost them four seconds to stop it, but instead they wanted to keep the ride moving no matter what, to make its quota of 1,800 riders per hour," said Kruse, bringing the theme park's safety practices firmly into question.
Legal representatives for Universal argued that Morrison was not paying adequate attention to her steps as she was accompanying her grandson. However, the federal jury in California sided with Morrison, as reported by KTLA. The deliberation took place over several hours on February 14, culminating in a decision that awarded Morrison $250,000 for future medical expenses, adding to a combined $7 million for past and future pain and suffering, as per court documents.
Describing a life altered, Morrison, who now grapples with debilitating back pain, stated during the trial - according to Press-Telegram - that she's no longer able to engage in regular activities like household chores or enjoying theme parks with her grandson. "The fall changed her whole life," her lawyer, Kruse, elaborated, reinforcing the substantial impact of the incident.
When reached for a statement, Universal Studios Hollywood officials declined to comment on the ongoing issue. "Justice was served," Kruse said via email as per KTLA.
