THRILL RIDE BILL Will KI fall Prey?

[The Interpreter]

I have not followed up on this story. Has the girl lost both feet or just one? I feel so bad for her and her family!

Perhaps the best summary of her current situation that is on the web can be found here:

http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.d...396/1008/NEWS01

[momtojoshcanpark]

It was an accident but if I were her parents I would be darned if I was going to pay for those hospital bills. The park has the money and the park holds more responsibility in this case. I'm saying sue for the hospital bills, don't sue for any of that mental damage crap. Get the money that's necessary, not frivolous money. They're shouldn't sue for profit but for their inconveniences.

So why do amusement parks exist? Why do they purchase insurance? They exist for us to go enjoy ourselves on their rides with the expectation that their rides will not maim us. They have insurance in case of this kind of accident. It shows that they're taking the liability. That insurance is there to provide the money needed to the injured parties.

Exactly as I said.

KK should be liable for medical bills and her comfort only! And should not even hesitated to of paid the first bill back when she was in the hospital.. It should never come or came down to the Lasiter family requesting them pay for her care from then on out.

I feel the parents are taking advantage of the situation. I believe that Kaitlyn should be entitled to money for her youth, in between and throughout the rest of her life. I don't feel it will take "tons", as the bigget part is behind her, it will take alot, now she needs money for her prosthetics, continued counseling, home adjustments, etc.

Yes, to take care of people that get injured I agree, but not to be taken advantage of from money hungry people and that is the way I view it.

[iChase]

iChase....she also has lost very significant future income potential, and HAS had to endure incredible pain and suffering. You are saying none of that should be compensated? Can you just imagine how much that young lady's life has changed (and that of her parents?)?

I would completely support her suing for those reasons, if she was indeed suing for those reasons. If it's just another reason to get money then I don't support it. That's more of what I was talking about. Like I said, sue for necessity.

[momtojoshcanpark]

iChase....she also has lost very significant future income potential, and HAS had to endure incredible pain and suffering. You are saying none of that should be compensated? Can you just imagine how much that young lady's life has changed (and that of her parents?)?

Give me a break, she is able to walk you know, she has not lost future income, she has 1 prosthetic. Her other foot was reattached, she has been in rehab for I guess over 6 months now.

Are you saying she is crippled for life because I see people out there with no legs that run, are you saying she can't run with 1 prosthetic? She can't hold down a clerical job because she is missing 1 foot?????? Get real, look at the great things disabled people overcome on a daily basis.

No it isn't fair it happened to her, but it isn't fair to take advantage of KK for something you know CAN HAPPEN.

[iChase]

...No it isn't fair it happened to her, but it isn't fair to take advantage of KK for something you know CAN HAPPEN.

The right or "fair" thing to do on the park's part is to offer to pay for all damages incurred. That's good PR, that's showing that you actually care.

[The Interpreter]

iChase....she also has lost very significant future income potential, and HAS had to endure incredible pain and suffering. You are saying none of that should be compensated? Can you just imagine how much that young lady's life has changed (and that of her parents?)?

Give me a break, she is able to walk you know, she has not lost future income, she has 1 prosthetic. Her other foot was reattached, she has been in rehab for I guess over 6 months now.

Are you saying she is crippled for life because I see people out there with no legs that run, are you saying she can't run with 1 prosthetic? She can't hold down a clerical job because she is missing 1 foot?????? Get real, look at the great things disabled people overcome on a daily basis.

No it isn't fair it happened to her, but it isn't fair to take advantage of KK for something you know CAN HAPPEN.

Uh...no.

Where DO you get your FACTS?

At last report, she is NOT able to walk. She will probably be able to some time soon. Maybe.

Why do you CHOOSE to minimize her very tragic injuries?

Pardon me, but I think your attitude on this is very cold, to say the least.

[momtojoshcanpark]

...No it isn't fair it happened to her, but it isn't fair to take advantage of KK for something you know CAN HAPPEN.

The right or "fair" thing to do on the park's part is to offer to pay for all damages incurred. That's good PR, that's showing that you actually care.

Yes, I agree, and that is just what they did not do. I am so suprised at that, and was let down by at as well. They said no one from KK has followed up on her at all, I feel KK in wrong in that manner, even the owner should of shown up at the hospital and wrote the family out a check that day to take care of the weeks that the family had to live at the hospital.

[iChase]

It is very sad. But since they did not do that, then it's fully in the family's rights to sue. I highly doubt they can comfortably, if at all, pay for the extensive hospital bills.

[momtojoshcanpark]

iChase....she also has lost very significant future income potential, and HAS had to endure incredible pain and suffering. You are saying none of that should be compensated? Can you just imagine how much that young lady's life has changed (and that of her parents?)?

Give me a break, she is able to walk you know, she has not lost future income, she has 1 prosthetic. Her other foot was reattached, she has been in rehab for I guess over 6 months now.

Are you saying she is crippled for life because I see people out there with no legs that run, are you saying she can't run with 1 prosthetic? She can't hold down a clerical job because she is missing 1 foot?????? Get real, look at the great things disabled people overcome on a daily basis.

No it isn't fair it happened to her, but it isn't fair to take advantage of KK for something you know CAN HAPPEN.

Uh...no.

Where DO you get your FACTS?

At last report, she is NOT able to walk. She will probably be able to some time soon. Maybe.

Why do you CHOOSE to minimize her very tragic injuries?

Pardon me, but I think your attitude on this is very cold, to say the least.

She was on the news WALKING. Not sure why they would of reported it if she wasn't.

I am not cold about this, I am just saying it was an accident and you are making it out like KK pointed her out and doomed her when that is not the case.

I don't believe in suing only to become a millionaire when things go wrong and too many people do that and they are too (imo). I am not saying don't sue, but sue for what you need, not a dime more. They are just as liable as what you feel KK is, they let her ride knowing anything can go wrong, and unfortunately it did.

I don't believe KK has done everything right (afterwards), but that again is no reason to make a profit off it and in my opinion I feel they have an "I'm going to make you pay for this" attitude because of how ticked they are at KK because of the illdisregard they have protrayed.

As I have said, KK should be there willing to dish out as much as the family needs to take care of them. They should not be out a dime ever for this. I don't feel you get "pain and suffering" for a non malicious act. Kaitlyn should receive some money for herself, to be able to take care of things that she WANTS right now, because she is pretty much wheelchair bound and going through therapy, but again, not to make her parents rich off their daughters accident and that is what I get from it.

And yes, if I was on the jury, I would say the samething. I feel the family is entitled to some. That all medical bills be sent to KK pertaining this for the rest of her life, and the rest of her life won't be much, that anything paid out in the very beginning, gas, food, gifts, should all be reimbursed to the family and that Kailtyn, have money now to help her through this mentally, but I am not talking millions, I am not even talking big thousands, I'm talking about anything you'd do to comfort any child that has a serious injury.

I know this is hard on the child but kids bounce back, I think in my opinion, the people that have this the hardest are the parents, adults dwell on things alot more than kids do. She is lucky she got one attached and it is working well (last I heard), but I do not see this crippling her for the rest of her life.

Yes she will be disabled forever, but she can over come this and I am sure she will. I have seen people worse off than her come back and amaze people, and I think she too will do the same.

[momtojoshcanpark]

It is very sad. But since they did not do that, then it's fully in the family's rights to sue. I highly doubt they can comfortably, if at all, pay for the extensive hospital bills.

I am sure they can't, but again, I don't think they should sue above it. The family should be able to come out even, then have whatever she needs for her future, including medical bills, new prosthetic bills, continuing rehab.

I just see parents out to make a point.

[Purplehaze]

Wow this is getting heated. And, I didnt have anything to do with it this time...lmaoooooooooooo

[iChase]

I now see what you're saying. Yes I think the parents may be out to prove a point, but then again, I probably would want to too.

I am sure they can't, but again, I don't think they should sure above it. The family should be able to come out even, then have whatever she needs for her future, including medical bills, new prosthetic bills, continuing rehab.

That's exactly how I feel. I don't think they need a profit but enough to keep their old way of life and to not feel any stress from dealing with paying for all the costs associated her new disability.

[clbehymer]

Pardon me, but I think your attitude on this is very cold, to say the least.

I agree. I can't imagine a parent feeling this way.

QUOTE (momtojoshcanpark)

I am sure they can't, but again, I don't think they should sure above it. The family should be able to come out even, then have whatever she needs for her future, including medical bills, new prosthetic bills, continuing rehab.

I don't think that it should be like winning the powerball or anything, but I'd say that the family will never "come out even" no matter what the amount of money.

[WooferBearATL]

iChase....she also has lost very significant future income potential, and HAS had to endure incredible pain and suffering. You are saying none of that should be compensated? Can you just imagine how much that young lady's life has changed (and that of her parents?)?

I missed that portion?

Was she going to be a professional dancer? Gymnast?

What career was she destined for that has been lost?

All things change, do they not?

Funny thing is that I know many that are disabled that do very well and have very happy lives.

One is only a victim if they allow themselves to be one.

[The Interpreter]

Who knows what she was to become...and she still has great potential...but it is undeniable that many opportunities that were available to her no longer are...all due to a single ride on what was supposed to be an amusement device in an amusement park....

[WooferBearATL]

Who knows what she was to become...and she still has great potential...but it is undeniable that many opportunities that were available to her no longer are...all due to a single ride on what was supposed to be an amusement device in an amusement park....

Ohhhhh, ok we're only working on presumption here.

Had me worried for a second that we were actually basing these statements upon fact.

<G>

[The Interpreter]

What once was and is can be a matter of fact (or be wrong).

About the future, there can only be informed speculation at best. Especially when was going to be the future has been foreclosed.

[WooferBearATL]

What once was and is can be a matter of fact (or be wrong).

About the future, there can only be informed speculation at best. Especially when was going to be the future has been foreclosed.

And I would hope that the individual would approach even this as a minor set back and look forward to absolutely amazing opportunities of the future.

[stewwill]

While I agree anyone that rides any ride takes an inherent risk, the park operators also take an inherent risk when they choose any ride to install in the park. It goes both ways. There are also different level of injuries to consider. In this case, the girl lost both feet. That's a very devastratng injury. That has to be taken into consideration. I don't know what the inspection and maintenance records are for this ride but if the cable was faulty, the design of the ride has to be changed to prevent that cable from whiplasing if it breaks. I am not an engineer. But I have to think that this possibility was not taken into account when the ride was designed. I admit that is an opinion and not a fact known to me. KK and the manufractuer have a monetary responsibility to this family. A jury will decide this. It's a very tragic situation for the family and the park. Six Flags will do everything to minimize a judgement. That's in their best interest. Emotions run very high in a situation not just with the family involed and Six Flags, but the general public as well. An accident like this is a public relation disaster for Six Flags and the entire Theme Park industry. No company especially with the high cost of insurance purposely neglects maintenance. But this was an especially unforunate incident. There is plenty of blame to spread around.

[iChase]

I think you have a very good point here stewwill. The park takes a huge risk with every ride they install. The more rides, the more variables and more possibilities for injuries.

True, injuries need to be taken into account. If someone fell and bruised something, too bad for them. No lawsuit needed. If someone got their feet severed at the ankles then there's a problem with a lawsuit almost guaranteed.

I think you're probably the most correct on the prevention of the cable whiplashing. With any device that uses cables there's always a chance of the cable breaking. Something should have been in place to stop that cable from whiplashing. That's where the manufacturer takes the fault. Where or if KK takes any blame is unknown. Really, we should probably stay out of it. The facts are known by the parties involved, all we can really do is speculate and wish her and her family well.

BTW: stewwill, I'm in your area right now. I'm vacationing on Hilton Head.

[Cory Butcher]

Wow this is getting heated. And, I didnt have anything to do with it this time...lmaoooooooooooo

Yes it is, I am staying out of this one!

I just want to say what Samuel Clemens once wrote, "There are lies, there are darn lies, and then there are statistics". You know, before people start throwing out wrong facts, nonsensical arguments and the like.

I hope that Kaitlin Lassiter makes a relatively full recovery, and that her family makes the most out of their newfound situation.

[Browntggrr]

It is a risk we all take everytime we get on a ride.

If there is risk involved that means rides are designed to not be 100% safe. And SF still chose this particular ride and operate it? How can they not be held responsible?

Which I don't see how the operator had anything to do with it.

The operator has already mentioned that she was unable to press the E-Stop. Did she not know what the E-Stop was for? Was she not in position to actually press the button? Was she not in a position to see what was happening when the cable broke prior to the ride actually dropping? These are all questions that have yet to be answered.

There is no doubt that the ride operator did not cause the ride failure. Nobody is blaming her for the failure. But as a ride operator, you need to be aware of what is happening with the ride & riders at all times. When something goes wrong, the ride operator needs to take control of the ride to prevent an accident from happening. That is the exact reason for having a E-Stop button.

Do you not understand when you step on any ride you are putting your life in danger? Do you continue to ride? Do you allow yourself to put your childrens lives in danger, if you ride then the answer is yes.

How are you possibly believe that a ride is putting everyone in a life and death situation? That is crazy. I'm sorry to understand that you are disabled, but when that accident happened did you know that you had the possibility of being disabled by being on someone else's property?

The only way the girl could of prevented it is to not go on it. Tell me how KK could have prevented it.

KK could have prevented it by not operating the ride. KK could have prevented it by having more safety inspections. KK could have prevented it by replacing the cable on a weekly basis. Sure, replacing the cable on a weekly basis seems like overkill, but, that is no different than the girl preventing the accident by not going on the ride.

As of right now, it seems to be that the park has done all they could do. It has been almost a year and it still has not come back to be their fault.

Yeah, and the reason why it has not come back with any conclusive evidence is because they have been fighting in court as to who is going to inspect the integrity of the cable. If SF is confident enough that they have done nothing wrong, why does it matter who inspects it? SF also wants to bring Intamin invloved as well. If it was just an accident, why would they have to protect themselves?

I just feel if you put yourself in front of a semi and the semi runs you down the semi is not responsible. Samething here, you sit in that sit and you waive all rights to any lawsuits above medical needs, comfort needs. An accident on a ride should never make you a millionaire.

LOL. Sure, now tell that to the family who lost their daddy at the hands of a driver that is under the influence. Because by your standards, the father did not have to drive on the road he was on. It was his choice to drive. Right? Oh yeah, mom doesn't work because she stays at home caring for the children.

Sorry. You comments are cold and ignorant. You have absolutely no facts. You obviously also have an axe to grind when it comes down to your unfortunate situation and similar incidents. While it may be difficult not to interject your own personal feelings when it comes down to the SFKK incident, not every incident is the same. Don't compare yourself to the young girl being discussed. It is unfair to her, and it is also unfair to yourself.

[Browntggrr]

No, my opinion would not change. I did not say what you are saying, I said I DO think KK should pay for anything she needs from here on out, I do not believe they should be held liable. It is a risk we all take everytime we get on a ride.

I also do believe KK was wrong about how they went about things regarding when it happened, after it happened and etc. Someone from KK should of been at the hospital asking what they can do, instead they blew them off which is wrong. But again, in my opinion I do not think they should be made rich from this and they probably will be. I do believe they are entitle to something just not millions.

Feel any different now?

Ride's care not always by book, worker says:

http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.d...002/1008/NEWS01

[Guest kwindshawne]

It is very sad. But since they did not do that, then it's fully in the family's rights to sue. I highly doubt they can comfortably, if at all, pay for the extensive hospital bills.

I am sure they can't, but again, I don't think they should sue above it. The family should be able to come out even, then have whatever she needs for her future, including medical bills, new prosthetic bills, continuing rehab.

I just see parents out to make a point.

God forbid-what if this happened to your child? How would that affect your thinking on the matter? There are a lot of hidden costs involved in a tragedy like this, such as modifications to the home to accomodate the handicap, counseling due to the trauma from the incident, etc. Not to mention how it will probably affect her social life-let's face it, people are cruel. I don't think a large settlement from something as tragic as this is unreasonable. Off topic just a hair-I have a nephew with genetic issues, and his medical bills alone topped 3 million-and this was years ago. Now, take into consideration my sisters' insurance only covered 80% of that-well, you get the point. She had to file bankruptcy. There are a lot of cases where people abuse the system, this is not one of them. Also. take into consideration prosthetics wear in time, and need to be replaced during the patients life-that costs as well-and infection is always an issue. I dont think people realize how expensive medical care really is if you dont have insurance. Lets just say your insurance guarantees discounted rates over what it would cost if you were uninsured.