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New York Woman Sues Disney for $2 Million Over Water Park Incident

A resident of Dix Hills, New York, has filed a lawsuit against Disney Parks and Resorts after she allegedly suffered injuries from a powerful wave while at Typhoon Lagoon, a water park located in Lake Buena Vista, Florida.

Kimberly Panetta, 45, reported that she was enjoying a family vacation at the park in April 2022 when the incident took place, according to her legal filing submitted to a federal court in New York.

In her complaint, Panetta described standing in a kiddie pool, waiting for her young daughter to come down an age-appropriate slide. Suddenly, she was struck by what she termed a “mammoth wave” from another section of the pool, which she claimed hit her with such force that it knocked her off her feet.

As per the court documents, the impact caused her body to “skid across the cement or gunite” of the pool, resulting in severe abrasions often described as “road rash.”

Panetta is seeking $2 million in damages, citing the need for ongoing medical treatment and psychological distress stemming from what she characterized as a significant disruption to her vacation.

The lawsuit states that she was limited to applying bandages and ointments instead of enjoying the park’s attractions, which she claims has led to lasting physical and emotional consequences.

According to Panetta, she now bears visible scars on her legs that have impacted her self-esteem, making her reluctant to wear shorts or skirts even in warm weather. She attributes these scars directly to the negligence of the water park.

In her complaint, Panetta argues that the park should not have allowed the powerful waves from the wave pool to reach the kiddie area, potentially endangering parents supervising their children. She questions the adequacy of safety measures, asserting that barriers should have been in place to protect adults from such forceful water actions.

On April 26, PEOPLE reached out to representatives from Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, as well as Panetta’s legal counsel, but did not receive an immediate response.

While recounting the incident in an interview with The New York Post, Panetta described the overwhelming force of the wave, noting that it felt as though she was being dragged along the pool floor. She shared her relief for having the presence of mind to lift her daughter above the water during the ordeal, fearing for her child’s safety.

Panetta vividly recalled immediately feeling pain and seeing blood, highlighting the stark contrast between an expected joyous experience and the harsh reality of her injuries. “You think you’re in the happiest place on Earth and the safest place, but it’s like being dragged on concrete — it’s very rough,” she said.

Her children, ages 3 and 7 at the time, were reportedly horrified by the incident, witnessing their mother in distress.

Panetta lamented the cancellation of their planned activities, expressing frustration that the vacation, which was supposed to be filled with joy, ended up causing significant emotional and physical disruption for the family. Her husband, Frank Panetta, echoed his wife’s concerns, suggesting that their daughter might have faced injury had Kimberly not been able to protect her during the wave’s onslaught. He remarked that his wife skidded across the pool for an alarming distance of 15 to 20 feet.

Following the incident, he indicated that the family’s only compensation from the resort was a mere $250 credit.

Source
people.com