Disney Settles Donald Duck Groping Lawsuit

The Donald Duck groping incident is over for the Walt Disney Co., which has reportedly settled a lawsuit with a Pennsylvania woman who alleged that an employee dressed as the cartoon character molested her during a 2008 vacation.

Though the terms of the settlement are being kept confidential, chances are that the groping victim, April Magolon, made away with a hefty sum.

According to the complaint filed in the original lawsuit, while with her children at Disney's Epcot Center in Florida, Donald Duck "[grab]bed April Magolon's breast and molest[ed] her and then made gestures making a joke indicating he had done something wrong."

She alleged that the Donald Duck groping caused her to suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, nausea, insomnia, nightmares, digestive problems, and a variety of other ailments.

Citing dozens of prior incidents involving cartoon character groping at Disney World--including some that were investigated by the Orange County Sheriff's Office--Magolon sued on the theory of negligence. She claimed that the park had failed to ensure the safety of its visitors.

These prior groping incidents are likely what caused Disney to settle the lawsuit.

Businesses open to the public--particularly those that cater to children--are responsible for the safety of its customers, a duty that normally demands proper background checks and disciplinary action.

With so many instances of improper cartoon behavior prior to the Donald Duck groping, April Magolon was sure to convince a jury that Disney was negligent in its supervision and hiring of employees.

Related Resources:

• Disney Settles Donald Duck Molestation Lawsuit (Hollywood Reporter)
• An Employer's Liability for Employee's Acts (FindLaw)
• Negligent Hiring: Criminals in Nursing Homes (FindLaw's Free Enterprise)