New lawsuits allege Six Flags roller coaster caused brain injuries

Legal pressure is mounting against Six Flags Magic Mountain as attorneys file lawsuits on behalf of visitors who sustained severe neurological trauma on the park’s signature coaster. The litigation centers on the X2 ride, a high-speed attraction that has remained closed since July 12.

Lawsuits Target Six Flags and Manufacturer Over Brain Injuries

Law firm Dordick Law filed three lawsuits against Six Flags and S&S Worldwide, the manufacturer of the ride, according to statements made during a Tuesday press conference. Attorney Gary Dordick emphasized the severe toll on families seeking amusement.

More than 100 people have contacted legal counsel in the past two months reporting similar traumatic brain injuries after riding the X2 within a two-year window. An additional 300 individuals reached out to the firm regarding ride-related injuries.

The design of this ride makes it inherently dangerous, and makes it dangerous in a way that no reasonable rider would expect. Time after time innocent people are coming off the ride with permanent brain damage.

Christopher Bulone, Attorney for Dordick Law

The current legal actions highlight specific incidents from early July that left multiple riders hospitalized with critical brain bleeding. Pamela Guillen visited the amusement park on July 5 to celebrate her daughter’s sixteenth birthday, choosing the X2 as their final ride of the day. After the train returned to the station, her daughter noticed Guillen staring into space with an open mouth before collapsing. Doctors performed emergency surgery, removing a portion of Guillen’s skull to halt internal bleeding.

Before July 5th, I worked, I drove, I handled my businesses, and took care of my family. I was independent. Today, I still cannot drive. I haven’t been able to return to work. I’m dealing with cognitive effects of my brain injury.

Pamela Guillen, Roller Coaster Plaintiff

Six days after Guillen’s hospitalization, 25-year-old Naomi Greer-Wilkinson boarded the same roller coaster. Her parents, Artemis Greer and Joshua Wilkinson, stated in court documents that their daughter suffered a life-altering brain injury that left her in a coma and dependent on life support. Naomi had no idea, when she was going to Magic Mountain with her siblings and her friends, that she was signing up for something that could potentially rip the veins in her skull, cause catastrophic bleeding, and lead to a coma, legal representatives noted in the filings.

Design Scrutiny and Past Incidents at Valencia Park

The X2 opened in January 2002, marketed as the world’s first fourth-dimension roller coaster. The attraction features seats that rotate 360 degrees, a 215-foot drop, and speeds reaching up to 76 miles per hour. Over its nearly two-decade operational history, the ride has experienced multiple closures for redesigns and mechanical issues.

An investigation conducted by The Guardian and CNN revealed more than a dozen reports of serious injuries associated with the coaster, including two deaths. Among them was 22-year-old Christopher Hawley, whose parents stated he died one day after riding the X2 in 2022. The Los Angeles County Coroner attributed his death to accidental blunt head trauma, and his family reached a confidential settlement with Six Flags.

Park Response and Safety Standards

Six Flags representatives declined to address the specifics of the ongoing legal battle, citing company policy regarding active court cases. A park spokesperson stated, It is our policy not to comment on pending litigation.

According to the official Six Flags website, the amusement park maintains comprehensive safety protocols, including daily ride evaluations alongside regular inspections conducted by third-party ride inspectors, state authorities, insurance representatives, and internal engineering specialists. The X2 has remained closed to the public since July 12.