The Great Smoky Mountain Journal
Source:
Tuesday, January 01, 2019 02:42 PM
Woman Suing Dollywood For $400K For Alleged Injury On Ride Last Year
The personal injury lawsuit was filed on behalf of the plaintiff, Judy Etherton of New Jersey, on March 9 in the U.S. District Court for Eastern Tennessee in Knoxville.
According to the suit, Etherton caught her foot on the side of the "Rockin' Roadway" amusement ride as she exited it on March 19, 2017. The suit alleges she fractured her wrist when she was thrown to the ground.
The lawsuit claims the ride was negligently designed, constructed and maintained because there is no doorway or safety device in place to help riders as they step over the side of the ride to exit.
Along with Dollywood, the suit also lists Herschend Family Entertainment Corp. of Missouri and Dolly Parton Productions, Inc. of California as co-owners of Dollywood and therefore responsible to maintain rides at the amusement park and for visitors' safety.
The defendants are facing one count of negligence because the lawsuit alleges they did not properly operate, maintain or provide safe exit from the ride, and no employees helped people exit the ride.
Etherton wants $400,000 to cover medical treatment, care and expenses related to the injury, loss of wages and loss of enjoyment of life due to continued pain and suffering and permanent impairments and disabilities. The lawsuit also requests the defendants pay Etherton's court costs, as well as a trial by jury.