Why a mom of two is suing Disney for $2 million

Kimberly Panetta is suing Disney Parks and Resorts for $2 million. The mom of two claimed that she was hit by a “mammoth” wave while standing in a kids’ section of the water park.

The wave apparently pushed her under the water and her body “skidded” against the rough base of the pool for several feet.
The incident

Panetta, 45, visited the Typhoon Lagoon water park in April 2022, where the incident occurred. In her complaint obtained by PEOPLE, she claimed that she was standing in a kiddie pool waiting for her daughter to descend-down a slide when a “mammoth wave” from another side of the pool struck her with so much force that “it pummeled her.” As a result, her body “skidded across the cement or gunite, causing serious ‘road rash’ or scrapes that were severe and deep.”

Now as a part of her case, she is seeking $2 million in damages for continued “medical care and treatment” and “mental anguish.” Panetta’s complaint also mentioned that her family vacation was “ruined” as “she was stuck limping around applying bandages, salves and creams, and was forced to avoid swimming and enjoying planned visits to the parks.”
The happiest place in the world?

In an interview with the New York Post, Panetta recalled the incident. “It was so powerful it was actually dragging us under the water for several feet,” she said. “I just thank God I had the sense to push her [my daughter] above as I was getting dragged. I knew if she was the one getting dragged she would have been cut all over.”

“I felt pain immediately and I looked down and there was blood. You think you’re in the happiest place on Earth and the safest place, but it’s like being dragged on concrete — it’s very rough,” she continued.

Panetta’s husband added that the resort only offered them $250 credit after the incident.
Kimberly Panetta’s complaint

She has accused the park of negligence and claimed that they “should not have let the wave pool or ‘typhoon’ power waves enter the kiddie area and pummel the parents that [were] unwittingly waiting for their young children to descend.”

She also added that the barriers around the area should have protected mothers standing at the bottom of the slide from being thrown, tossed and pummeled by powerful waves.”

Panetta’s incident serves as a reminder of the subpar quality of safety standards that most amusement parks follow. Family visits to these parks might actually be a ride-or-die adventure.