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Florida Couple Pursues Jury Trial in Universal Studios Orlando Brain Injury Suit

A Broward County, Florida, couple is suing Universal Orlando Resort, as they claim the wife suffered a traumatic brain injury after riding one of the resort’s popular roller coaster attractions.

Related: Fan-Favorite Universal Orlando Attraction Causing Severe Reaction in Guests

cabana bay universal studios globe and attractions at orlando resort

Credit: Discover Universal

On February 28, Geriann and Richard Clem filed suit against Universal City Development Partners, Ltd., in Orange County court for “personal injuries and damages” that exceed $50,000.

According to the lawsuit, Geriann Clem boarded Universal’s Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit roller coaster on February 11, 2023, and claims that during the ride, her “head shook violently and slammed into her seat’s headrest throughout the duration of the ride.” Clem claims that the ordeal aboard the ride ultimately resulted in her having a traumatic brain injury.

Universal’s Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit

Universal Orlando’s website describes the Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit as a “towering coaster [that] offers a musical twist: as you strap in, you’ll pick the song you want to hear above your own shrieks. Adrenaline pumping and music thumping, you’ll climb toward the sky at a 90-degree angle and tackle the first ferocious drop. Topping out at 65 miles per hour, this rip-roaring ride is a blast from beginning to end.”

universal studios orlando hollywood rip ride rockit

Credit: Flickr/Jeremy Thompson

With a topping-out speed of 65 miles per hour, Universal’s Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit is one of the fastest attractions on Universal Orlando Resort’s property.

Court documents describe the roller coaster further, stating that the ride features heights of 167 feet, as well as twists, drops, flips, and turns. The suit further alleges that Universal’s Rip Ride Rockit doesn’t provide riders with a head restraint of any kind.

Rip Ride rockit

Credit: Flickr/Justin Shaw

The lawsuit states the ride also reaches heights of 167 feet and has twists, turns, drops, and flips. The suit alleges the coaster did not provide its riders with any head restraints. Further, court documents show that the Clems claim that Universal Studios Orlando Resort “failed to warn” Ms. Clem that her head would move around and be slammed against the headrest during the ride.

The suit further states that warning signs posted outside the ride are “inadequate.”

Per the suit, Geriann Clem suffered “severe and permanent personal injuries” as a result of riding Universal Studios Orlando’s Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit, and that her injuries include a brain injury, physical impairment, and mental anguish.

universal studios hollywood rip ride rockit

Credit: Flickr/Jeremy Thompson

The Broward County couple has demanded a jury trial in the matter.

Read the entire suit by clicking here.

This post Florida Couple Pursues Jury Trial in Universal Studios Orlando Brain Injury Suit appeared first on Disney Dining.

About Rebekah Tyndall Burkett

Rebekah grew up in Forney, Texas and lives just outside of Dallas. She’s been a Disney superfan since childhood, experiencing the magic at Walt Disney World for the first time at the age of 11. Journeys to Neverland are at least a yearly occurrence for her, her husband and her four children (the Fab Four). When they go to the parks, they stay in Florida for three weeks at a time. Rebekah loves exploring the history of the parks, the genius behind the Magic in the person of Walt Disney, and she is intrigued by all things Disney World and Disney Imagineering. When in the parks, Rebekah and her husband Scott make the most of their time by enjoying every minute with their Fab Four, by delving deeper into Walt’s vision for the parks and into the history behind the Walt Disney World Resort, and by photographing the many different types of architecture at Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Hollywood Studios and on the World Showcase at EPCOT. When she’s not in the parks, Rebekah is excitedly setting travel dates and planning her family’s next adventure to their happy place deep within the Sunshine State. On breaks from planning her next trip, Rebekah is a writer, journalist and children’s author, penning children’s books about kids with special needs that she affectionately calls “believement-achievement” stories. Her hobbies include creative writing, paper crafting and interviewing Imagineers. She is also an advocate for Autism Awareness and for children with developmental disabilities of all kinds.

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