Disney Resort – Hotel – Theme Park – Sexual Assault Lawsuit Attorneys

When people think of Disneyland, phrases like “the happiest place on earth” usually come to mind. But that fantasy is ruined the moment you are sexually violated at a Disney theme park or resort hotel. Considering these places are filled with kids, Walt Disney World has the highest duty of care to ensure the safety of their guests. Whether you’re a kid at heart of the parent of a child, legal options may be available if you were sexually abused on a Disney owned property. We will go over these options today, along with other questions such as:

• What is sexual abuse and how do I know it’s happened to me?
• Can I sue Disney if I was sexually assaulted on their property?
• How much can I ask for in a sexual assault lawsuit against Disney?
• How long will it take to settle a sexual abuse lawsuit against Disney?

We hope you will find this information helpful, but please keep in mind that it’s for general purposes only. Your case has its own set of unique circumstances, which will affect things like case values and timelines. For information specific to your own case, speak with one of our sexual abuse lawsuit attorneys.

Types of Sexual Abuse at a Disney Owned Resort
Visitors to Disneyland or any of their properties can be sexually abused by employees or by other patrons during the course of their stay. Examples of sexual abuse and assault at a Disney owned property include:

• Rape
• Attempted rape
• Kissing, groping, fondling, or any other kind of unwanted sexual contact
• Unwanted sexual advances / solicitations for sex
• Being penetrated with an object
• Being forced to engage in sexual contact
• Having someone expose themselves or masturbate in front of you
• Jokes, comments, and descriptions of a sexual nature
• Being exposed to pornography and other sexually explicit material

Some of these acts are more subtle than others, and it can be hard for people to determine if they were sexually abused by someone else. As a general rule, you should not be violated in any way that makes you feel uncomfortable while you are a guest at a Disney owned property. Yes, misunderstandings can happen and Disney is not responsible for every single incident that occurs on their premises. However, Disney must take safety and security measures to keep visitors as safe as possible under California’s premise liability laws. When they are negligent in these areas, they must be held accountable for a sexual assaults or any other injuries that occur on their properties.

You have rights as a victim of sexual abuse or assault in a Disney owned property. Give us a call and learn about the actions you can take against the responsible parties.

How Can Sexual Assault / Abuse Occur at a Disney Park or Resort?
Most acts of sexual abuse at Disney parks and resorts can be traced to a lack of security measures or inappropriate security measures. Poor maintenance and upkeep of indoor and outdoor facilities can also contribute to sexual assaults. An assailant can take advantage of the following problems in order to harm a Disney guest:

• Insufficient number of security officers
• Negligent security personnel
• Inadequate lighting in dark / covered areas
• Lack of security cameras
• Broken or poor quality locks on doors and windows
• Gaps or cuts in fences
• Overgrown landscaping that can hide criminal acts

With the number of visitors Disney parks receive all over the world, there is no excuse for such negligence or careless conduct. There is no reason to feel ashamed or suffer in silence if you were sexually abused by a Disney employee or guest. Normandie Law Firm is here for you, and we will do everything to hold Disney responsible for your injuries.

Disney’s Liability in a Case of Sexual Abuse
Some victims are surprised to find out that they can go after Disney, not just their attacker in a lawsuit for sexual abuse. But if the company’s negligence contributed to the employee or patron’s ability to harm you, that may give you grounds to seek compensation from Disney.

For example, let’s say a masseur at a Disney resort has a history of complaints regarding inappropriate behavior with female guests. Disney took sanctions against the employee but didn’t fire him, thereby allowing him continued access to vulnerable guests. The masseur eventually commits an act of sexual assault against a female client. That client can sue Disney for negligence on the basis that they failed to fire an employee with repeated complaints of sexual abuse. Thus, their negligence is directly linked to her sexual assault and she entitled to seek damages from Walt Disney World.

Here is another example: a Disney theme park guest is dragged behind an overgrown row of hedges and assaulted by another patron. The patron was a regular visitor who kept an eye out for areas with lack of security and overgrown landscaping. Once he found his ideal spot, he waited for a victim and sexually attacked her without anyone noticing. Disney can be held responsible for the security issues and sued for the victim’s damages.

Average Case Value of a Disney Sexual Assault Lawsuit
Sexual abuse settlements with major companies like Disney are typically in the five to six figure range. However, we’ve had cases that settled for $1 million or more, depending on the victim’s injuries. These include physical harm such as cuts, bruises, broken bones, disfigurement, damage to the reproductive organs, and exposure to STDs. But just as important are the emotional injuries, which are substantial and long-lasting for sex abuse victims. Many of them struggle to interact normally with others, especially intimate partners. Going to certain places, hearing certain sounds – such ordinary things can trigger memories of the attack and cause mental health issues that require therapy.

The compensation you can ask for depends on losses you have suffered as a result of these injuries. It can also depend on how early you settle your case with the responsible parties. Based on our experience, lawsuits that go to mediation or trial bring in the largest settlements – around $200,000 or more. On the other hand, cases that are resolved without court intervention tend to bring in around $50,000 to $150,000 of compensation.

Our Recent Verdicts and Settlements

That’s not to say you should take your case to trial. Doing so is a long and expensive process, and our focus is to reach an agreement with the other party as soon as possible. If their insurers make you a fair offer early in the case, it’s probably best to take it and move on with your life. But if they continually deny responsibility or make offers that are far below your needs, it may be in your best interest to proceed with a lawsuit.

How Long Does it Take to Settle a Sexual Abuse Case against Disney World?
Now that we’ve talked about case values, you’re probably curious about the amount of time it takes to settle a sexual abuse case against Disney World. There’s a big range here as well, depending on the details of your assault and the amount of money you’re asking for. As a general rule, cases with lower values are settled within the first 6 months of an injury claim. In that case, there is no need to file a lawsuit, since you were able to reach an agreement privately with the responsible entities.

The timeline lengthens considerably once a lawsuit is filed. You’re preparing for the possibility of a trial at this point, though you will most likely be scheduled for mediation before that. Around 95% of Disney sexual assault cases are settled through mediation, so there’s a good chance you won’t need to go to trial. However, it can take a year or from the day you filed your lawsuit before you receive a mediation date. All in all, it’s possible that your case may take 2 or more years to resolve.

Keep in mind, though, that the decision to accept a settlement is always yours. We will take your case as far as you’d like, and will advise you of the pros and cons of each settlement offer. What matters is that you are adequately compensated for your emotional and financial losses.

If you’re ready to take action in a sexual abuse compensation claim, please contact our office and schedule a free consultation.

Speak with the Lawyers of Normandie
Sexual assault and other types of sexual abuse can scar a victim for life, especially if the perpetrator is never brought to justice. Sadly, this is often the case with criminal courts, where the burden of proof is extraordinarily high. A lawsuit for injury compensation can bring about a sense of justice, while paying for the damages you have suffered.

If you or your child was sexually assaulted or abused at a Disney theme park, hotel resort, or cruise ship, please learn about your legal rights from the attorneys of Normandie Law Firm. You don’t have to decide on legal action right away, but you should be aware of the options that are available to you. And don’t let worries over legal fees stop you from pursuing compensation in a lawsuit against Walt Disney World.  Under our Zero fee guarantee, we will take your case on a contingency fee basis, meaning you will never pay upfront for any of our services. Our bills will be paid by Disney once we win your case, so there is no risk to your finances at any point.

Our attorneys can advise you on a sexual abuse incident at any of the following Disney properties:

Disney Theme Parks

• Disneyland
• California Adventure
• Magic Kingdom
• EPCOT
• Disney’s Hollywood Studios
• Disney’s Animal Kingdom
• Disneyland Paris
• Walt Disney Studios Park
• Hong Kong Disneyland
• Shanghai Disneyland
• Tokyo Disneyland
• Tokyo Disney Sea

Disney Cruise Line:

• Disney Dream
• Disney Magic
• Disney Wonder
• Disney Fantasy

Disney Resort Hotels

• Disney’s All-Star Movie Resort
• Disney’s All-Star Music Resort
• Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort
• Disney’s Art of Animation Resort
• Disney’s Pop Century Resort
• Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort
• Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
• Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort
• Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter
• Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside
• Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
• Disney’s Beach Club Resort
• Disney’s Boardwalk Inn
• Disney’s Contemporary Resort
• Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
• Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
• Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
• Disney’s Yacht Club Resort
• Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort
• Boulder Ridge Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
• Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
• Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Jambo House
• Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Kidani Village
• Disney’s Beach Club Villas
• Disney’s BoardWalk Villas
• Disney’s Old Key West Resort
• Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows
• Disney’s Riviera Resort
• Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa
• The Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

Other Pages on Our Website Related to This Topic
Theme Park Lawsuit
Uber Sexual Assault Lawsuit