Woman's foot crushed by camel: Fractures: Dislocations: Negligent operation of amusement ride: Settlement

Law Reporter, May 2003

York v. Pony Express Pony Rides, Tex., Travis County Dist. Ct., No. GN100787, Oct. 1, 2002.

York, 41, was riding a camel at an amusement park when the camel slipped and fell, coming down on York's foot. York suffered a fracture of her right foot and dislocation of all five metatarsals. She required surgery and internal fixation, incurring medical expenses of approximately $15,000. A corporate vice president earning approximately $300,000 annually, York missed about three weeks of work and was unable to earn bonuses as a result of the incident.

York sued the company that ran the camel ride, alleging negligence in operating the ride on a muddy, slippery surface. Defendant claimed the conditions were not overly slippery.

The parties settled after mediation for $400,000.

Plaintiff's experts were Doug Baum, amusement rides, Waco, Tex.; Michael Albrecht, orthopedic surgery, Austin, Tex.; and James R. Vinson, economics, Austin, Tex.

Defendant's expert witnesses were Dan Dudley, amusement rides, Baltimore, Md., and Mark Rambin, economics, Austin, Tex.