The Magic Kingdom is not so magical when you get bitten by a rat while visiting. Unless it turns you into a princess or cooks you a seven-course dinner — then it’s still magical. Unfortunately for one park-goer, his rat bite ended in medical bills and disfigurement instead of riches and a crown. Now he’s suing Disney for damages as a result.
A Rat Run Amok
According to the lawsuit filed on March 19, Galen Haldeman, 59, and his wife Carol had just ridden the Buzz Lightyear ride when he was bitten by a rat in a nearby store. Other patrons yelled, “Rat!” before the large rodent jumped onto the wheel of Carol’s wheelchair. Haldeman claims that just as the rat was about to bite his wife’s arm, Haldeman pulled it off the chair. That’s when it bit one of his fingers. Haldeman says he had to twist the rat’s neck to get it off of him.
Unsafe Conditions
The Haldemans are suing Walt Disney Parks and Resorts for negligence. In a negligence claim, the plaintiff has to prove, among other things, that the defendant violated a duty of care owed to the plaintiff. In this case, Haldeman argues that the company “violated its duty to keep its park clean and safe by allowing conditions to get to the point where rats were inhabiting the park and were even bold enough to come out openly, among people.”
Haldeman claims that the rat bite resulted in disfigurement, mental anguish, medical bills, physical handicap, and other problems. He’s suing for more than $15,000 in damages.
If you’ve been injured and think someone else may be at fault, contact a lawyer to find out what types of options you might have in terms of compensation.
Related Resources:
- Find Personal Injury Lawyers in Your Area (FindLaw’s Lawyer Directory)
- Wild Animal Bites: 3 Things to Know (FindLaw’s Injured)
- Man’s Fingertips Severed on Disney World Ride (FindLaw’s Injured)
- Disneyland Sued in 140 Injury Cases in 5 Years (FindLaw’s Injured)
