News Bird attack at Disney World leaves woman with traumatic brain injury

[John park hopper]

So what is Disney supposed to do? Many birds are protected.

"Basic protection. All birds, their nests and eggs are protected by law and it is thus an offence, with certain exceptions (see Exceptions), to: Intentionally kill, injure or take any wild bird."

 

[TongaToast21]

poor Kevin at AK was just taken in for questioning and on leave...

 

[celluloid]

In all seriousness, hopefully everyone will be more aware of the dangers that feeding wildlife or not being aware in general can cause. It may not be the fault of anyone, but a good reminder anyway.

 

[Chi84]

So what is Disney supposed to do? Many birds are protected.

"Basic protection. All birds, their nests and eggs are protected by law and it is thus an ofence, with certain exceptions (see Exceptions), to: Intentionally kill, injure or take any wild bird."

This is true and limits what businesses can do in dealing with nesting birds. My husband worked at a building where Canadian geese had decided to build nests in the bushes around the parking lot. These are large birds, and one actually knocked down an older woman walking to her car. I love wildlife as much as the next person, but when birds are injuring people at their places of work, my feeling is that the birds have to go.

I would be fine with Disney removing the birds from Adventureland, but as it stands, it's possible the only thing they can do is rope off the area or warn people to be on the lookout for aggressive birds. As I said earlier, a warning like that is likely to be ineffective, but at least it gives people a choice about whether to enter the area. Or they can do what my husband does at the arboretum - he takes off his hat and uses it to swat at birds diving toward him. Hilarious, but effective.

 

[Speedy71]

She should've wore a helmet.

 

[MisterPenguin]

Are certain bird builds overpowered?

 

[larryz]

Are certain bird builds overpowered?

Mister Jealous, much?

 

[MisterPenguin]

Mister Jealous, much?

The penguin guild pwns the Antarctic land servers!

 

[mf1972]

flights of wonder just announced a refurbishment

 

[Incomudro]

Outside of a kick to the head by an escapee Ostrich from AK, what kind of bird attack could cause traumatic brain injury?
Certainly no native species is capable of inflicting traumatic brain injury by an attack, unless that attack led her to fall and strike her head on the pavement or something.
There is little information given (unless I missed it) the statement says "attack."
It doesn't say she collided with it say coming down exterior hill on Expedition Everest.

 

[Chi84]

Outside of a kick to the head by an escapee Ostrich from AK, what kind of bird attack could cause traumatic brain injury?
Certainly no native species is capable of inflicting traumatic brain injury by an attack, unless that attack led her to fall and strike her head on the pavement or something.
There is little information given (unless I missed it) the statement says "attack."
It doesn't say she collided with it say coming down exterior hill on Expedition Everest.

I suppose it would depend on the size of the bird, whether it was in full-dive mode, and the condition of the woman's head - a very large bird combined with what's known in law as the "eggshell-headed plaintiff" might just do it.

 

[Incomudro]

I suppose it would depend on the size of the bird, whether it was in full-dive mode, and the condition of the woman's head - a very large bird combined with what's known in law as the "eggshell-headed plaintiff" might just do it.

Yeah, but that's extremely far fetched.
The bird would have to attack with enough velocity to kill itself.
A full on Peregrine Falcon Kamikaze attack.
Again, unless she struck her head on the ground, or ran away and collided with a wall or a lamppost or something.
But those things would be her collision, not the attack of the bird itself.

 

[Rowlet]

This story reminds me of hawks attacking students when I was in undergrad at the University of Miami.

"The red-shouldered hawk is actually protecting a nest of chicks located in a tree right above a path used by students to get grub, wildlife officials said.

Spring is nesting season for the birds of prey, and this is the third year students have been the targets for the divebombing hawks."

https://www.nbcmiami.com/news/weird/Hawks-Divebomb-UM-Students.html

 

[celluloid]

Yeah, but that's extremely far fetched.
The bird would have to attack with enough velocity to kill itself.
A full on Peregrine Falcon Kamikaze attack.
Again, unless she struck her head on the ground, or ran away and collided with a wall or a lamppost or something.
But those things would be her collision, not the attack of the bird itself.

The head has many tender spots and since it mentioned her back/neck, a full dive bombing bird with its sharp beak, you could certainly have that injury.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

Bald Eagles, Hawks, Owls, large herons, Sandhill cranes.... these are pretty large birds that could certainly hurt someone if they were intent on doing so.

 

[Chi84]

Yeah, but that's extremely far fetched.
The bird would have to attack with enough velocity to kill itself.
A full on Peregrine Falcon Kamikaze attack.
Again, unless she struck her head on the ground, or ran away and collided with a wall or a lamppost or something.
But those things would be her collision, not the attack of the bird itself.

Yes but if her collision with the ground was the result of the bird attacking her, it likely wouldn't make a difference in terms of the lawsuit. Running away would result in a more tenuous link with the attack.

 

[MisterPenguin]

Outside of a kick to the head by an escapee Ostrich from AK, what kind of bird attack could cause traumatic brain injury?
Certainly no native species is capable of inflicting traumatic brain injury by an attack, unless that attack led her to fall and strike her head on the pavement or something.
There is little information given (unless I missed it) the statement says "attack."
It doesn't say she collided with it say coming down exterior hill on Expedition Everest.

In my post above, watch the second video with the raptors. The falcon has a nearly sonic-speed kick (FALCON PUNCH!!) that stuns their prey.

Then again, we don't know what is meant by "traumatic brain injury." Is it a simple concussion? Brain stem damage (blows to the neck are more susceptible to damage... no hard skull casing for protection)? Or something so severe that there is cognitive or motor ability loss?

 

[My95cobras]

How come people are not just honest and practical. Yes there are birds all over theme parks throughout the USA and just not Disney. This could have happened anywhere. Honestly if it would have been me. i would have asked for Disney to help pay for any cost due to injuries that are not covered by insurance. No we can't do that anymore. Now we have to sue. My wife hat a small mishap down the Shore on the boardwalk, She tripped and fell and had to have a staple in here head to repair the gash. We told the store that we did not intend to sew and politely asked if they would cover any expense that is not covered by insurance. The business told us yes without one argument and asked us to send a copy of the bill that was not covered. It was that simple and easy. Accidents happen, it just comes down to doing the practical thing. Sewing is only called for when you nicely tried to ask and speak with a bussiness or owner or person and you are either treated badly or not given the time of day. I am quite shore WDW would do the right thing and step up to help to try and avoid a law suite for a small matter. This case seems a little hokey and major issues for $15,000. Sounds like some one wants another free vacation and paying of the lawyer.

Maybe a lot of people with costuming issues and they need to sew them up.

 

[GoofGoof]

Who suffers "severe brain injuries" and sues for only $15k?

Someone with a small brain

 

[GoofGoof]

So what is Disney supposed to do? Many birds are protected.

"Basic protection. All birds, their nests and eggs are protected by law and it is thus an offence, with certain exceptions (see Exceptions), to: Intentionally kill, injure or take any wild bird."

If this particular bird is protected could the bird counter-sue the woman’s head for causing damage.

It would be ironic if she won $15K from the lawsuit and then was fined $15K for injuring an endangered bird.