Disneyland Attorneys Fined for Hindering Effort to Get Documents

A court official fined Disneyland attorneys $7,050 for stonewalling efforts to obtain documents in a lawsuit filed by a Los Angeles woman who suffered a brain hemorrhage while riding the park’s Indiana Jones Adventure.

The attorney representing Zipora Jacob, who alleges that she was injured on the ride three years ago, said the Disney lawyers have continually resisted providing documents regarding injury claims and the safety aspects of the ride.

“You shouldn’t have to be jumping through hoops and making motions and further motions to get” the documents, said Barry Novack, Jacob’s attorney.”

Previously, retired Judge Eli Chernow, who was appointed by the court as a referee to determine which papers Disney had to provide in the lawsuit, penalized the entertainment company by awarding Novack more time to interview witnesses and procure documents in the case. The monetary sanction imposed Tuesday covers the amount of time Novack spent trying to get Disney to comply and seeking the judicial intervention.

Disneyland attorney Stephen Waimey could not be reached for comment.

In her lawsuit, Jacob, a former researcher at USC, contends that the turbulence of the Indiana Jones ride caused her severe brain injury, which led to four brain surgeries and a permanent brain shunt to relieve pressure on her skull.

In court documents, Jacob’s attorneys say that Disney discounted safety in order to create the ultimate thrill ride.

Disney officials have declined to discuss Jacob’s case, except to say that Jacob is the only person ever to complain of such an injury on the popular ride.