Woman sues Disney for negligence in collision with ferry

[brownie]

Woman sues Disney for negligence in collision with ferry
A woman was injured in a two-person rental boat that crashed with a ferry, the suit says.

By Jeff Weiner, Orlando Sentinel
1:10 p.m. EDT, June 30, 2011

A English woman injured when a small watercraft her husband rented at Walt Disney World collided with a ferry last year is suing the Central Florida resort, court records show.

The suit, filed in April, states that Walt Disney World Parks and Resorts was negligent when the resort allowed Michael Wormald to rent the watercraft at Cap'n Jack's Marina inDowntown Disney.

The small, two-person "Sea Raycers" craft collided with a ferry, injuring Wormald's wife Barbara Wormald, the suit says. It says Michael Wormald drove the boat and his wife was a passenger.

In her suit, Barbara Wormald claims that her husband was not given any instruction, had no experience piloting such a craft and should not have been allowed to rent and use it.

The couple live in Skipton, England, and have a vacation home in Osceola County. Authorities initially reported Barbara Wormald, then 61, suffered a collapsed lung, fractured ribs andback pain.

[joonyer]

She should read the "small print" on the rental contract. Can you spell "w-a-i-v-e-r". Why would she get in the boat with her husband if he was so unqualified to operate it. Any 10 year old kid could drive one of those things without running into a ship.

[big blue and hairy]

She should read the "small print" on the rental contract. Can you spell "w-a-i-v-e-r". Why would she get in the boat with her husband if he was so unqualified to operate it. Any 10 year old kid could drive one of those things without running into a ship.

I would be quite surprised if he got no instruction. I have rented them several times and always get instruction, even when they know I've rented before.

How big an idiot do you have to be to not know that you shouldn't drive a tiny boat next to a very big boat? Really?

[CanadianWDWFan]

So the waivers we all sign mean nothing. Step up and take responsibility for your own actions. The courts and judges need to really do something about these kind of suits.

[KylesMom]

Man, I remember when this happened - in fact, I'm sure the story is in the archives. I agree, it's not that difficult to realize that you are the "small fish" and you need to stay away from the "big ones". Unbelievable.

[ChipNDale79]

This really annoys me, people really need to take responsibity for their on actions.

Because the stupidity of one person I bet the boat rental will go away. Stupid stupid stupid.

[brownie]

If you didn't know how to operate the boat, why would you get in it? Maybe he suffers from that stereotypical man disease that keeps men from stopping to ask directions.

If Disney should have known better than to rent the boat to them, the couple certainly should have known they shouldn't be operating it.

[WDWfanatic742]

I was wondering when these people were gonna sue, it was quicker than I thought it would be...

In her suit, Barbara Wormald claims that her husband was not given any instruction, had no experience piloting such a craft and should not have been allowed to rent and use it.

Yeah because even if they didn't instruct you on how to control the craft, they forced you into riding and wouldn't let you get off because you had no experience and reason for riding it. Yup, sure.

The average human being today is just so...wait, there is no word to describe it...

[DVC2004]

Don't you have to sign a waiver when you rent one anyway? And yes we have rented them on a few occassions and ALWAYS do they give instructions to you before you go off on your way. I don't see this one going anywhere...

[BrerSchultzy]

So...if I post something idiotic on Intercot, should i sue Dell for making the computer, or Charter Communications for giving me access to the Internet?

[MississippiDisneyFreak]

Its all about the money....nobody has to take responsibility for their own actions anymore

[tazlikesrobots]

This really annoys me, people really need to take responsibity for their on actions.

Because the stupidity of one person I bet the boat rental will go away. Stupid stupid stupid.

Completely agree! IMHO these people are after a quick buck.....

[TheVBs]

The average human being today is just so...wait, there is no word to describe it...

Yes there is. You just can't post it here.

[dyin tago]

sure, do your lawsuit and maybe disney will do away with the boat rentals and ruin it for the rest of us hmmm, no instruction so I am to stunned to know not to drive tiny little boat close to very big boat.

morons

[KAT1811]

Yes there is. You just can't post it here.

[Joannelet]

I havent rented a water craft in about 9 years there but to this day I remember the instructions that we had to get to the side if we saw any of the ferry boats. They had the right of way. So yes they definitely gave us clear directions and we signed a waiver. I really dont think this will go anywhere as the waivers do matter....that is why they have them. And you are right why would you ever get into a boat wirh someone who you thought was inexperienced to drive? Those things dont require too much brain. We were with 2 other boats and we didnt even crash into eachother never mind a huge boat. I mean you do have to be cautious and aware of your surroundings. Its like driving a car!

[JPL]

I think Disney should shock the World and file counter suit for damages to their boats!

[diz_girl]

[b]In her suit, Barbara Wormald claims that her husband was not given any instruction, had no experience piloting such a craft and should not have been allowed to rent and use it.

The lawsuit should be dropped because the couple was negligent, since they didn't tell Disney that they were stupid.

As for the comment from a pp about a ten year old being able to drive it without crashing, I think that I was ten when I first drove one and I had no problems whatsoever. How hard is it really? Rule #1 - don't get in the way of another boat, especially a bigger one.

[wildernesslady]

They obviously have no common sense if they did not get out of the way of the ferry. There is no way they should win this.

[Ed]

The original thread about this accident can be found here.

Looking over that thread, I still disagree with the assertion that the "ferry boat" was about 60 feet long. I have never seen a boat that long along the Sassagoula River. The very largest might be 30 feet, but nowhere near 60 feet. News media reporters have often been known to exaggerate...