Qi Zhao, a 48-year-old woman who fell out of a Disneyland tram and suffered brain injuries that have left her requiring 24/7 medical attention permanently, has reached a settlement in a personal injury lawsuit she filed against the Walt Disney Co. According to a CBS News report, the lawyers for Disney and Zhao reached the agreement this week suddenly ending a two-week trial that was underway in Los Angeles Superior Court. Details of the agreement were kept confidential.

In her lawsuit against Disney, Zhao alleged that the tram driver was going too fast the day of the tram accident in February 2007. She was riding the tram with two sisters and a niece when one of the sisters fell from the tram. Reacting to the fall, the two other sisters also fell out. One woman suffered minor personal injuries while Zhao hit her head on the pavement and suffered severe traumatic brain injuries and skill fractures. She was reportedly in a coma for three weeks. Zhao's husband, Zuchun Wang, became a plaintiff last October alleging loss of consortium. Zhao and her husband were born in China, but were living in Northern California at the time. Zhao is now being cared for in Beijing.

Personal Injury Lawyers for Disney argued that the tram was not moving too fast and had a device in place limiting its top speed to 11 mph. The settlement came when the personal injury attorneys had just begun their closing arguments. Zhao's sisters apparently settled their claims against Disney before Zhao's trial began.

I'm glad that Zhao and her husband were able to settle this case with Disney. I wish them the best and hope they were able to receive fair compensation given the extent of Zhao's injuries and the damages they have suffered. Traumatic brain injuries can have a devastating effect not only on the person who has suffered the injury but also family members who have to care for the injured person. In this particular case, Zhao needs round-the-clock care and the family had to move back to China, apparently, to be able to provide that kind of care. Although brain-injured victims tend to get larger amounts in compensation, that is hardly a "reward" or a "jackpot" as many seem to view it. The victims and their families need this money to be able to afford the long term medical care and attention that will hopefully ease their lives and provide comfort.

If you or a loved one has suffered serious personal injuries in a car accident or any other type of accident caused by someone else's negligence you need the services of experienced California brain injury lawyers who can help secure the compensation you rightfully deserve and need to retain your quality of life.

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