Disneyland Under Fire In Lawsuit Over Disabled Woman's Death

The employees are accused of failing to assist a Calif. woman while she exited the park's Jungle Cruise ride.

The daughters of a disabled Calif. woman are taking legal action against Disneyland over accusations that treatment from the park's employees led to their mother's subsequent death.

According to the lawsuit obtained by PEOPLE, 66-year-old Joanne Aguilar suffered an injury while exiting the Jungle Cruise ride at the Anaheim theme park in August 2021. She later contracted an infection which led to septic shock and eventually, her death.

During the time of the visit, Aguilar had been recovering from a knee injury and was therefore provided with a wheelchair for the day through the park's Disability Access Service.

The lawsuit filed in a California U.S. District court alleges that park employees not only laughed at Aguilar just before the incident, but her daughters also claim that the staff "failed to assist" her and consequently created a "dangerous and hazardous condition."

Aguilar's daughters, Andrea Mallul and Zenobia Hernandez, argue that the Jungle Cruise ride's wheelchair-accessible boats were not available, though they were able to use a different boat.

Aguilar allegedly entered the ride with help from her daughters, but when it came to exiting, she began to have trouble, as "cast members began snicker[ing] and giggling," according to the suit.

Aguilar reportedly "began to feel the shame and embarrassment of the situation and felt dehumanized," before she fell backwards and broke her right leg.

As the legal docs outline, Aguilar was transported to Anaheim Global Medical Center, where she recovered for the following 10 days. She then began rehabilitation at Oxnard Manor Healthcare Center, where Mallul and Hernandez claim she contracted an infection that led to septic shock, and ultimately her death on Jan. 29, 2022.

As a result, Aguilar's daughters are seeking compensation for "all past economic damages," including medical, funeral and attorney fees and additional incidental damages.

The theme park has since denied the accusations, PEOPLE reports, and claims that any injuries sustained were "caused or contributed" by Aguilar or her daughters.