Overview
- Attorney Nicholas Spetsas filed five separate suits in Orange County on Dec. 18 naming Universal and manufacturer Mack Rides, alleging violent head and neck motion caused severe, permanent injuries.
- Plaintiffs include Debbie Reinelt, Bonita Freeman, Jason Rodriguez, Brittany Smiley, and Breanna Bradford, with incidents alleged between April and September; each seeks more than $50,000.
- The complaints contend the coaster was improperly designed and tested, lacks head restraints, and failed to warn about head and spine risks, citing injuries such as brain bleeds, spinal cord damage, paralysis, concussions, and chronic headaches.
- Authorities said the ride was operating properly when 32-year-old Kevin Rodriguez Zavala died in September, with the medical examiner citing multiple blunt impact injuries and the sheriff’s office finding no criminal negligence; Universal reached a confidential settlement with his family.
- Universal declined to comment on the new cases and Mack Rides did not respond, while the park’s posted guidance warns guests with back or neck conditions not to ride and instructs riders to support their head and torso; plaintiffs’ counsel says more lawsuits are likely.