DURHAM, N.C. – Prominent Trial attorney Willie E. Gary and his team have filed a $150 Million lawsuit against Amusements of Rochester, Inc., d/b/a Powers Great American Midways (incorporated and doing business in North Carolina), and Family Attractions Amusement, LLC (incorporated in the state of Georgia with an ownership interest in the ride known as the Vortex).
In this case, the Plantiffs Kisha Gorham, Anthony Gorham, Justen Hunter (a minor) and Shykema Dempsey were severely injured on October 24, 2013 when they were forcefully thrown from the Vortex ride at the North Carolina State Fair, after the ride’s safety harnesses were disengaged when they were disembarking from the ride. The ride suddenly and forcefully lurched back into operation, tossing the Plaintiffs to the metal platform below the ride. The malfunction resulted in major, catastrophic, and life-changing injuries to all the Plaintiffs.
Attorney Gary contends that the owners and operators of the Vortex ride were so concerned about making money until they disregarded human life.
“They are guilty of the oldest sin known to man, and that is greed. More emphasis was placed on profits than the safety of people, and we want to make sure that this will never happen again at any amusement park, county, state or local fair anywhere in the United States,” said Attorney Gary.
Attorneys Mike Jones (NC) and Willie Gary say the family is pleased with the work of the Districts Attorney’s office and feel confident that the gross negligence of all these defendants will not go unaddressed.
Anthony Gorham, whose injuries were the most severe remains hospitalized following another surgery this week. He is blind in one eye and is in jeopardy of a possible loss of sight in the other eye, suffers from permanent brain damage, has experienced ongoing seizures, and will require medical care for the rest of his life.
His wife, Kisha Gorham, received severe neck, back and head injuries. Their son Justen Hunter was diagnosed with having a subdural hematoma of the brain. Shykema Dempsey continues to suffer from the head and spinal injuries she received in this accident.
Total punitive damages in this case are in excess of $100 million and compensatory damages combined exceed $50 million. At the time of the announced lawsuit, combined medicals for the Plaintiffs are approaching a half million dollars and could exceed $30 million over the Plaintiffs lifetime.
Attorney Willie Gary and his team contend that the Defendants were negligent in operating the Vortex ride and they failed to correct and remedy problems identified with the ride.
“The Defendants are guilty of hiring people who were clearly untrained and unqualified to provide the safety patrons deserved,” commented Willie Gary. “As a result of their gross negligence, my clients have suffered devastating injuries. No amount of money can give them back what they have lost,” stated Gary.
