Jury Finds Disneyland Negligent Though No Damages Awarded

A jury has found that Disneyland was negligent in an accident on its Splash Mountain ride four years ago but says that didn’t contribute to a rider’s injury.

The federal jury in Los Angeles didn’t award any damages to Steve Wilson of Anaheim, Calif., in Friday’s decision. His attorney, Barry Novack, says he’ll seek a new trial.

Novack says in 2010 Splash Mountain staff overloaded a log boat, causing it to get stuck, then didn’t tie it off before unloading riders.

Wilson, who weighed 415 pounds, claimed that as he got up, the boat moved, he fell back and hit a seat, seriously aggravating an existing back problem. He sought about $1.3 million in compensation.

Spokeswoman Suzi Brown tells the Los Angeles Times that Disneyland is pleased with the verdict.