74 Year Old Who Fractured Back on Harry Potter Ride Awarded $7.25 Million

Mar. 15, 2025

riders aboard Harry Potter and The Forbidden Journey.Photo:Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times

Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times

A California woman has won her case against Universal Studios Hollywood.

Earlier this month, 74-year-old Pamela Morrison was awarded $7.25 million in damages from Universal Studios after suffering a spine injury on the“Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey”ride in September 2022.

“The belt was still moving, and so my foot went on that belt,” Morrison stated, “and then my other foot went on to the stationary floor, and it knocked me off my feet.”

As described in the documents, Morrison sought monetary compensation “for various acts of negligence (including premise liability and negligent hiring and supervision)."

Morrison’s attorney, Taylor Kruse, argued that his client wouldn’t have sustained her injuries if the theme park staff had followed safety protocols and stopped the ride when they discovered her harness wouldn’t work properly.

external view of ‘Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey’ ride.VALERIE MACON/AFP via Getty

VALERIE MACON/AFP via Getty

Edward Ward, Universal Studios’ attorney, claimed that Morrison was more focused on following her grandson off the ride rather than watching her footing, making the resulting injuries her fault.

One of the experts during the trial, Ban Choi of the Institute of Risk & Safety Analyses, deemed the design of the ride dangerous, according to a report from theLA Times, as the attraction requires riders to step in the opposite direction of the moving walkway onto steady ground.

Dumbledore’s office in Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey ride.Universal Orlando. Used with permission.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potterdebuted the “Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey” at Universal Studios Hollywood in April 2016 and is described on its website as a “thrilling adventure” with “state-of-the-art technology.”

Candlelight ceiling of Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey ride.Universal Parks.

This isn’t the first time this particular Harry Potter ride has allegedly caused a rider physical injury.

The cart was reportedly stuck in that position for an hour and then moved to an upright position in which the passengers remained for another 30 minutes before exiting the ride safely.

Passengers claimed they “suffered severe injuries” and received “significant medical treatment, including surgery” due to the park’s “negligence.”

source: people.com