Woman Sues Disney Over Water Slide Injury

A woman has taken legal action against Disney, alleging that a visit to one of their theme parks resulted in severe injuries. In a lawsuit filed in Orange County, Florida last week, she claims that the Humunga Kowabunga water slide at Walt Disney World caused her "severe vaginal lacerations."

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Her ordeal began during her 30th birthday celebration in 2019 when she decided to experience the Humunga Kowabunga slide at Typhoon Lagoon. Following the ride, she had to be rushed to a local hospital by ambulance. Eventually, she was transferred to a specialized gynecological injury facility, as court documents reveal.

At the medical facility, doctors diagnosed her with a "full thickness laceration" of her vagina, which led to damage to her internal organs and the protrusion of her bowel through her abdominal wall.

In pursuit of justice, she is seeking $50,000 (£41,400) in damages from Disney, according to reports from NBC News, Sky News' US partner. The lawsuit claims that the Humunga Kowabunga slide exposes riders to the risk of a "painful wedgie."

According to court documents, she had ridden the slide wearing a one-piece swimsuit alongside her mother and daughter. She was allegedly instructed to cross her legs before taking the plunge. The documents state, "The slide caused [her] clothing to be painfully forced between her legs and for water to be violently forced inside her." This led to immediate and severe internal pain, and upon standing, she experienced bleeding.

The lawsuit contends that the "risk of injury as a consequence of water being forced inside a woman's body" is "far greater than it is for a man." Disney has not provided a response to NBC News's requests for comment.

The Humunga Kowabunga is known as Typhoon Lagoon's fastest and steepest waterslide, propelling riders down a five-story descent at speeds of up to 40mph, as detailed on Disney's website.

It is important to note that Typhoon Lagoon was constructed in 1989.