Attorneys for a construction worker injured in 2014 at Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom won a $2.75 million settlement for him, according to a news release.
Anthony Dos Santos had to have his lower right leg amputated, the law firm Stark & Stark based in Yardley, Pennsylvania, said.
Dos Santos, then 23, of North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, was helping to build the Snake Pit water-slide ride at the amusement park in South Whitehall Township on April 23, 2014, when the injury occurred, court records show.
He was holding a rope used to control movement of a structural column suspended by a forklift, which he was walking in front of and alongside. The forklift was forced to stop suddenly, and Dos Santos was pulled in front of the forklift's wheel by the momentum of the beam, according to the firm. The forklift ran over Dos Santos' foot, crushing it.
"Following the accident, the victim had a surgical procedure but, unfortunately, postoperative examinations showed progressive necrosis of the foot and toes," the news release states. "He underwent an amputation of his right leg below the knee, followed by a surgical revision to the amputated limb for the purpose of improving the prosthetic fitting.
“After returning home, Mr. Dos Santos had several more infections and had to undergo additional procedures, in addition to suffering from severe phantom limb pain. The accident also took an emotional toll, with a psychologist diagnosing post-traumatic stress disorder with depressed mood, and somatic symptoms, including pain. Now 28 years old and married with children, Mr. Dos Santos has been unable to return to work and continues to experience phantom limb pain and chronic back pain.”
His attorneys Tyler Tomlinson, Joseph Cullen Jr. and Ian Abovitz secured the settlement for lost wages, pain and suffering and medical bills.
Dorney Park’s parent company Cedar Fair LP was one of several defendants who were dismissed from Dos Santos' injury lawsuit filed in Lehigh County Court, before Judge Edward Reibman, court records show.
A spokesman for Dorney Park declined to comment on the settlement but did say, “We wish all the best to Mr. Dos Santos and his family.”
The only defendant against whom claims were not dismissed was Whitewater West Industries Ltd., based in Richmond, British Columbia. Neither the company nor counsel for the company immediately complied with requests for comment Thursday.
Tomlinson, the lead plaintiff’s attorney from Stark & Stark, said in a statement: “There was a much safer way to transport columns through the park, one that would not have presented hazards. Unfortunately, there also was not a supervisor on-site, as required by the contract, and the crew was understaffed.”
Kurt Bresswein may be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @KurtBresswein and Facebook. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.