Two lawsuits filed alleging untrained staff at Kentucky Kingdom led to water slide injuries

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) – A pair of lawsuits have been filed against Kentucky Kingdom alleging staff at Hurricane Bay is improperly trained and allowed the plaintiffs to use the wrong tube for the water slide they were on, causing them to fall out and hurt themselves.

The lawsuits were filed by attorney Hal Friedman on behalf of Brandon McClellan and Felicia Evans, who Friedman believes were on the ride together.

Both lawsuits claim staff at the water park instructed and/or allowed the plaintiffs to use the wrong tube for the slide they were on, which is what caused them to fall out of the tube and get hurt.

McClellan claims to have suffered a shoulder injury in the fall, while Evans claims to have suffered a head injury which causes her seizures.

Evans's lawsuit alleges staff members at the bottom of the slide were improperly trained on what to do in the event of an injury. When Evans reached the bottom of the slide, the lawsuit states she “received little or no assistance from Kentucky Kingdom employees, who appeared untrained and unclear regarding their obligations or responsibilities.”

The lawsuits ask for punitive damages and compensation for the plaintiffs in an amount to be determined based on the facts of the case.

Kentucky Kingdom sent the following statements:

"We do not comment on pending litigation. For their own safety, we expect guests to follow all instructions relating to rider responsibilities. This includes the instructions given by Kentucky Kingdom's ride operators, pre-recorded audio instructions and signs posted at each attraction which detail the park's rules and regulations for that attraction.

"As we know, there are always two sides to every story. Kentucky Kingdom strongly disputes Mr. McClellan and Ms. Evans account of the incident.

[Kentucky Kingdom] completely supports its staff of over 100 lifeguards who worked diligently this past summer to keep the water park safe and enjoyable for the almost 600,000 men, women and children who experienced it."