Violent Wave at Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Leaves Guest Injured—$2 Million Lawsuit Filed
A mother from Long Island is suing Disney for $2 million after she claims she was severely injured by a powerful wave at the Typhoon Lagoon water park in Walt Disney World. Kimberly Panetta’s family vacation, which was meant to be a fun-filled trip to the happiest place on Earth, quickly turned into a nightmare when she was struck by a forceful wave while attempting to help her young daughter in the children’s area of the wave pool.
According to the lawsuit, Kimberly was “violently struck by a sudden and forceful wave,” as she grabbed her 3-year-old daughter from a water slide. The wave hit her so hard that she was reportedly “pummeled” and her body slid across the cement-like pool floor, causing significant “road rash” on her legs. Frank Panetta, Kimberly’s husband, described the horrifying moment, saying, “She would have definitely been hurt had my wife not held her up and taken the brunt of the injury,” adding that Kimberly skidded across the concrete for “15 or 20 feet.”
A Brutal Injury
Kimberly’s injuries were so severe that walking became difficult, and her leg was left “throbbing” in the middle of the night, ruining the rest of the family’s highly anticipated trip. “The trip was ruined, and she was stuck limping around applying bandages, salves, and creams,” the couple explains. “I couldn’t even go in the pool where we were staying; I had to stay inside. Everything was completely ruined,” Kimberly added, describing the emotional and physical toll of the injury.
The Panettas are claiming that Disney failed to provide adequate safety measures in its wave pool and are seeking $2 million in damages. They argue that Disney’s negligence led to Kimberly’s injury and the cancellation of their planned activities. Despite the severity of the injury, Disney reportedly only offered a modest $250 credit to the family as compensation, which they deemed insufficient.
Lawsuit Filed
In their legal filing, the Panettas assert that the wave at Typhoon Lagoon was uncontrolled and that Disney should have been more proactive in monitoring the safety of its attractions. They are requesting compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, and the emotional distress caused by the accident, which disrupted their vacation.
This lawsuit highlights growing concerns about the safety of water attractions at major theme parks, especially regarding the strength of waves and the potential for injuries. As the case progresses, Disney will likely face increased scrutiny over its water park safety protocols and how it handles guest injuries.
