Jury Hits Oaks Park: $275K Awarded to Each Teen
Two Teens Awarded $275,000 Each After Being Stuck Upside Down on Amusement Park Ride for 25 Minutes
What Happened at Oaks Amusement Park?
In June 2024, a scary incident occurred at Oaks Amusement Park in Portland, Oregon. A ride called AtmosFEAR malfunctioned, leaving 28 riders trapped upside down — about 50 feet in the air — for roughly 25 minutes.
Imagine This: You’re on a ride, suddenly it stops, and you’re hanging by your legs, upside down, high above the ground. You can’t get down. You don’t know what’s happening. That’s what these riders went through.
Who Sued and Why?
Two teenagers — Xitlali Gomez-Salais (age 13) and Evie Yannotta (age 14) — were among those trapped. They each filed lawsuits against Oaks Park, saying the park was negligent (didn’t take proper care).
Their Lawsuits Said Oaks Park:
- Failed to safely maintain and operate the ride
- Didn’t have the right tools to fix it quickly
- Didn’t warn riders about possible dangers
- Didn’t keep riders informed while they were stuck
Important Point: The park later brought in Zamperla, the company that built the ride, as a third party in the lawsuit.
What the Teens Went Through
During the 25 Minutes:
- Riders screamed, cried, vomited, and some passed out
- The teens felt panic, chest pain, dizziness, weakness, and body aches
After the Ride:
Both girls developed lasting problems:
- Post-traumatic stress (PTSD)
- Anxiety
- Insomnia (trouble sleeping)
- Ongoing physical symptoms (aches, dizziness, heart racing)
- They needed counseling, treatment, and medication
Their Lawyer, Michael Fuller, Said:
"It was horrible to understand that this affected them not just during the 25 minutes on the ride but even in the years after. They had to seek counseling, treatment, medication."
The Trial and the Verdict
Timeline:
- June 2024 — Incident happens
- Over 2 years — Oaks Park and Zamperla denied fault, even blamed the families
- One week before trial — They finally admitted they were at fault
- Wednesday (trial day) — Jury awards $275,000 to each teen
Money Details:
| Teen | Originally Asked For | Jury Awarded |
|---|---|---|
| Evie Yannotta | Up to $125,000 | $275,000 |
| Xitlali Gomez-Salais | Up to $345,000 | $275,000 |
Total: $550,000 — The insurance companies for Oaks Park and Zamperla will decide who pays what.
Key Quote from Lawyer Fuller:
"We’re obviously very satisfied with the dollar amount, but maybe more importantly this trial brought about accountability."
What Oaks Park Says Now
The Oaks Park Association gave this statement:
"We agree that the ride should not have become stuck. We are grateful that all of the riders are safe, and this incident is now resolved. Safety is our top priority, and we will continue to work with ride manufacturers and state inspectors to ensure rider safety."
Other Riders’ Cases
- 7 other riders have already reached settlements (private agreements)
- 3 more recently settled through another lawyer (Jason Kafoury)
- 1 more case hasn’t been filed yet
Summary
- Two teens were stuck upside down on a broken ride for 25 minutes in June 2024
- They suffered physical injuries and long-term emotional trauma (PTSD, anxiety)
- They sued Oaks Park for negligence; the ride maker (Zamperla) was also brought in
- For over 2 years, the park and maker denied blame — then admitted fault right before trial
- A jury awarded $275,000 to each teen ($550,000 total)
- Other riders have settled; the park says safety is now their top priority
FAQ
1. How old were the girls when this happened?
Xitlali was 13 and Evie was 14 at the time of the incident in June 2024.
2. How long were they stuck upside down?
Approximately 25 minutes — hanging about 50 feet above the ground.
3. Did the amusement park admit it was their fault right away?
No. They denied liability for over two years and even blamed the families. They only admitted fault one week before the trial started.
4. Who pays the $550,000?
The insurance companies for Oaks Park and Zamperla (the ride manufacturer) will work out between themselves who pays what portion.
5. Are there more lawsuits coming?
Yes. Seven other riders have already settled. Three more recently settled, and at least one more case hasn’t been filed yet.
Final Thought: Amusement park rides are supposed to be fun — not traumatic. This case shows that when companies don’t maintain their rides properly, real people (especially kids) can suffer for years. Accountability matters.