LOS ANGELES, CA – An Arizona woman who suffered a severe spinal injury at Universal Studios Hollywood has been awarded $7.25 million in damages by a federal jury.
Pamela Morrison, 74, was preparing to ride Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey with her grandson in September 2022 when park employees told her to exit due to a harness issue. As she stepped off the moving walkway, she lost her balance and fell, resulting in a spinal compression fracture.
Her legal team argued that ride operators failed to stop the walkway to ensure a safe exit, prioritizing ride efficiency over guest safety. Morrison’s attorney, Taylor Kruse, stated that pausing the walkway for a few seconds could have prevented the injury. Universal Studios countered that Morrison was not paying attention and was responsible for the fall.
After deliberating for four hours, the jury determined that the park was liable for unsafe conditions. The award for the woman injured at Universal Studios includes compensation for medical expenses and pain and suffering. Universal Studios has yet to comment on the verdict.
