Man wins $8,000 for pain and suffering after Disney 'It's a Small World' ride breaks down and song plays continuously

Wednesday, March 27, 2013

photo This Jan. 23, 2009 file photo shows the characters Aladdin, Jasmine and Abu from the film, "Aladdin," on the "It's A Small World" ride, at Disneyland in Anaheim, Calif. An attorney says a disabled man, Jose Martinez, was awarded $8,000 by Disneyland after the "It's A Small World" ride broke in 2009, stranding him for half an hour while the theme song played continuously. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes, File)

An attorney says a disabled man was awarded $8,000 by Disneyland after the "It's A Small World" ride broke, stranding him for a half hour while the theme song played continuously.

Lawyer David Geffen says Jose Martinez didn't medically stabilize for three hours after the ride broke down in 2009.

Disneyland spokeswoman Suzi Brown said the Anaheim theme park believes it provided appropriate assistance during the incident, and is disappointed that the court did not fully agree.

Geffen says Martinez uses a wheelchair, suffers from panic attacks and high blood pressure, which was aggravated by a need to urinate.

Geffen says half the award ordered Friday is for pain and suffering, and the rest is for a violation of disability law. Brown says the violation has been addressed.