What was supposed to be a little Christmas magic at Universal Orlando Resort has turned into a legal fight, with twin brothers Derrick and Erick Burrough claiming a high-tech Harry Potter ride left them with serious injuries instead of holiday memories.
The brothers have filed separate lawsuits over Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry, saying a reported malfunction on Christmas Day caused their ride vehicle to stop short and violently jolt them. Both suits, handled by Morgan & Morgan, seek more than $50,000 each and say the neck and back injuries they blame on the incident are still affecting them.
What The Lawsuits Say
According to legal filings obtained by PEOPLE, the brothers allege the attraction "stopped abruptly" and that riders were "thrusted erratically" in their seats, causing significant trauma to their necks and backs.
The complaints list medical expenses, lost wages, and what they describe as a reduced ability to enjoy everyday life as ongoing harms. Each brother is asking for a jury trial and damages in excess of $50,000, according to the filings.
The Firm's Statement
In a statement to ClickOrlando, Morgan & Morgan founder John Morgan said the suits are an effort to "hold Universal accountable." He criticized what the firm described as repeated malfunctions and hard stops on the ride, arguing that "the most important job of a theme park is to keep its guests safe."
Morgan said both clients continue to receive treatment for their injuries. The firm pointed to guest reports and creator videos showing early shutdowns and extended stops on the attraction as context for why the brothers brought their complaints.
How The Ride Works And Why It Matters
Harry Potter and the Battle at the Ministry relies on 16-passenger, omnidirectional lift vehicles that move riders up, down, and sideways through large physical sets paired with projection effects. Inside The Magic has described the system as one of Epic Universe's most technically ambitious setups.
That complexity has raised early questions among fans and operators about reliability, and the brothers' legal team says those operational quirks sit at the heart of their negligence claims. Guest chatter and creator footage highlighting hard stops and interruptions are being used to support the argument that what happened to the twins was not simply a one-off glitch.
Safety Track Record In Context
The new lawsuits arrive as Epic Universe faces broader safety scrutiny. A guest died after riding the Stardust Racers coaster, and other high-profile incidents have drawn attention, as reported by UPI.
Regulators also fined Universal after a team member suffered serious injuries, including fractures and a dislocated shoulder, during maintenance work on the Battle at the Ministry ride, according to WDW News Today. Those incidents form a backdrop for why attorneys and theme park watchers are paying close attention to the Burrough brothers' claims.
What's Next
The complaints accuse Universal of negligence and of failing to warn guests or maintain the attraction in what they say is a reasonably safe condition. Both cases request a jury trial and monetary damages.
Inside The Magic reported that Universal had not publicly responded to requests for comment when the lawsuits were filed. How the company chooses to respond, whether the cases settle or head for a courtroom showdown, and whether more riders come forward with similar claims will play out in state court over the coming months.
