08/18/2010 // West Palm Beach, FL, USA // Sandra Quinlan // Sandra Quinlan
Orlando, FL—A Pennsylvania woman who claims Donald Duck fondled her during a 2008 visit to Epcot filed a federal lawsuit against Walt Disney World. The lawsuit also contends the Orange County Sheriff’s Office received 24 complaints of Disney characters groping individuals on different occasions, though authorities did not confirm those allegations, according to a Friday, August 13, 2010 Boston Herald report.
Reports indicated April Magolon and her family took a trip to Epcot in May 2008. Upon asking a person dressed in a Donald Duck costume for an autograph, however, the Disney character allegedly went on to carry out a “physically menacing act.”
According to the lawsuit, initially filed in Pennsylvania’s Court of Common Pleas in December 2009, “Donald Duck proceeded to grab (Magolon’s) breast and molest her and then made gestures making a joke indicating he had done something wrong.”
“(Disney) has engaged in a practice of placing corporate profits over public safety while attempting to cover up continuing, long-standing similar prior incidents,” the lawsuit added.
Magolon alleged she suffered “severe physical injury, emotional anguish and distress” and is seeking more than $200,000 in damages. The lawsuit is reportedly seeking over $50,000 for each of the following claims:
• Negligence
• Battery
• Negligent infliction of emotional distress
• Intention and reckless infliction of emotional distress
Magolon also alleged the unruly incident left her with “acute anxiety, headaches, nightmares, and flashbacks, among other emotional and physical ailments.”
According to Disney spokesperson Brian Malenius, “We’ve now seen plaintiff’s complaint and will respond appropriately in court.”
The case, which is expected to be heard in federal court in Philadelphia, continues.
Legal News Reporter: Sandra Quinlan– Legal News for Florida Personal Injury Lawyers.
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