Family’s suit over Disney ride is settled
The Walt Disney Co. has settled a wrongful-death lawsuit with the family of a Spanish woman that contended she suffered a fatal brain hemorrhage as a result of riding the Indiana Jones Adventure at Disneyland.
Cristina Moreno, 23, of Barcelona rode the thrill ride while on her honeymoon in June 2000. She reportedly passed out after returning to her Hollywood hotel, never regained consciousness and died two months later.
Her heirs were seeking more than $1 million in damages. The suit was settled Dec. 29, a week before the trial was scheduled to begin. The terms were not disclosed.
Barry Novack, the Moreno family’s attorney, has handled three cases against Disney involving brain injuries to passengers on the Indiana Jones ride, including the Moreno suit. All three have been settled, but Disney has not admitted responsibility.
The Moreno suit alleged that Disney “knew that excessive forces generated by the ride, especially shaking could cause serious injuries to riders.”
During a pretrial hearing, Disneyland attorney Gary A. Wolensky said changes to the ride were made in 2002 to make it more reliable and durable, not for safety reasons.