Kings Island settles Son of Beast suit

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By Denise G. Callahan, Staff Writer Updated 6:31 PM Monday, October 19, 2009

Attorneys for Kings Island and a northern Ohio woman injured on the Son of Beast in a 2006 accident reached a settlement today, Oct. 19 prior to the punitive damage phase of the trial.

The settlement is confidential, but is in excess of the jury award of $76,364.

A jury, after three days of testimony, awarded Jennifer Wright of Defiance $56,000 for pain and suffering and $20,364 for medical bills she incurred as a result of the accident that sent her and 26 others to the hospital on July 9, 2006.

The jury deliberated for just about five hours before delivering their 7 to 1 verdict.

During closing statements, Kings Island’s attorney Chip Finke said while the amusement park admitted liability, Wright only deserved $8,267 for medical bills. He called the remainder of the estimated $27,000 she has incurred on several medical tests “litigation tests.” Finke also asked the jury to only award Wright $12,000 for pain and suffering.

A tearful Wright said she felt like Erin Brockovich after the trial.

“It wasn’t just a minute of pain on the ride,” she said. “It’s been three years of agony.”

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