X2 Roller Coaster Lawsuits at Six Flags Magic Mountain: What Injured Riders in California Should Know
Oaks Law Firm | Attorney: Matthew Nezhad | Main Office: 15233 Ventura Blvd, 5th Floor, Sherman Oaks, CA 91403 | (877) 539-5366
Six Flags Magic Mountain’s X2 roller coaster in Valencia is now the subject of several new personal injury lawsuits. Riders allege the ride caused serious traumatic brain injuries. If you or someone in your family rode X2, or any high-intensity thrill ride in California, and later developed symptoms such as headaches, confusion, or memory problems, it helps to understand what is being alleged, what California law says about amusement ride injuries, and what steps can protect your health and your legal options.
What is happening with the X2 lawsuits at Six Flags Magic Mountain?
Three new civil lawsuits were announced this week. They allege that riders suffered severe brain injuries after riding X2. The attorneys who filed them say they represent more than 100 additional clients who report similar claims, and they expect to file more lawsuits in the coming weeks. According to NBC News and the Associated Press, the complaints describe riders who needed emergency brain surgery. One plaintiff remains largely unresponsive and bedridden months after her injury.
These are allegations in civil complaints, and none of them has been proven in court. The number of additional clients comes from plaintiffs’ counsel and has not been independently verified. Six Flags has declined to comment on the pending litigation, and X2 has stayed closed since the evening of July 12 while California regulators investigate. The suits also name S&S Worldwide, the company that manufactured X2’s ride cars.
The ride had a legal history before these filings. Six Flags and S&S Worldwide each resolved a wrongful death claim brought by the family of Christopher Hawley, a 22-year-old who died after riding X2 in 2022. Both settlements were confidential, and both companies denied wrongdoing.
Who is investigating X2, and what does that mean for riders?
The ride is being reviewed by the Amusement Ride and Tramway Unit of the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health, known as Cal/OSHA. Under California’s Permanent Amusement Ride Safety Inspection Program, ride operators must report serious injuries or deaths within 24 hours, and a ride involved in a major incident generally cannot reopen until state inspectors finish their review and approve its return.
A state safety inspection is separate from a private injury lawsuit. The results of a regulatory investigation may become relevant evidence in civil litigation. However, the outcome of an inspection does not by itself decide whether any individual rider has a valid claim.
Can a brain injury from a roller coaster show up days or weeks later?
It can. Some of the most serious head injuries involve bleeding inside the skull. That bleeding may cause symptoms right away, or it may develop gradually. According to the Associated Press, one plaintiff did not seek medical care immediately and noticed his cognitive function declining over the following weeks. An MRI months later showed significant bleeding and swelling that required multiple surgeries.
After riding an intense coaster, pay attention to these warning signs:
- Headaches that persist or worsen
- Confusion or disorientation
- Dizziness or nausea
- Unusual drowsiness
- Trouble with memory or concentration
- Changes in mood or personality
Medical professionals generally advise seeking prompt evaluation when these symptoms appear after any significant jolt to the head. When you see a doctor, tell them about the ride.
What should I do if I felt unwell after riding X2 or another thrill ride in California?
Get medical care. Your health comes first, and prompt treatment also creates a record connecting your symptoms to the date and circumstances of the ride.
Preserve evidence. Keep the following, because this kind of evidence can be lost, deleted, or overwritten surprisingly quickly:
- Tickets, season pass records, or app purchase history showing when you visited
- Photos or videos from the day, including any ride photos
- Names and contact information of anyone who rode with you
- Any incident report you made to park staff, or a note of who you spoke with and when
Write down what you remember while it is fresh: which row you sat in, how the ride felt, and when your symptoms began.
Be thoughtful about statements. Before giving detailed recorded statements to any insurance company, consider speaking with an attorney.
Who can be held responsible for a roller coaster injury in California?
California law can place a high duty of care on amusement ride operators. In Gomez v. Superior Court (2005), the California Supreme Court held that the operator of a roller coaster can be treated as a “common carrier” under Civil Code § 2100. A common carrier owes its passengers the utmost care and diligence for their safe carriage, which is a higher standard than ordinary negligence.
Depending on the facts, other legal theories may also apply:
- Product liability against a ride manufacturer, where a claim alleges a defect in the ride’s design or components
- Failure to warn, where a claim alleges that riders were not adequately informed of known risks
- Negligence in the ride’s operation, inspection, or maintenance
Whether any of these theories applies to a particular rider depends entirely on the specific evidence in that case.
How long do I have to file a theme park injury claim in California?
For most personal injury claims in California, the statute of limitations is two years from the date of injury under Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1. Claims for a death caused by another’s wrongful act are generally subject to the same two-year rule.
There are important exceptions. If a government entity is involved, such as a public hospital, a public ambulance service, or a city or county agency, a formal written claim must generally be presented within six months of the incident under Government Code § 911.2. That claim must come before any lawsuit can be filed. Special rules can also apply when the injured person is a minor. Timing questions can become complicated when an injury is not discovered right away.
Because deadlines depend on who may be responsible and when the injury occurred, confirm your specific deadline with a licensed California attorney as soon as possible.
Do I need a lawyer if I was hurt on a roller coaster?
Not every ride-related injury leads to a legal claim. Brain injury cases involving large companies, ride manufacturers, and state investigations, however, often turn on engineering evidence, medical records, and maintenance and incident histories that are difficult for an individual to obtain alone. An attorney can review your situation, explain your options under California law, and help you understand your deadlines, so that whatever you decide is an informed decision.
Talk With Oaks Law Firm About a Theme Park Injury
If you or a loved one was hurt on X2 or on another amusement park ride in Southern California, Oaks Law Firm is available to discuss your situation. We serve clients in Sherman Oaks, the San Fernando Valley, the Santa Clarita Valley, and throughout Los Angeles County. You can reach us at (877) 539-5366 to schedule a consultation about your specific circumstances.
Oaks Law Firm | Attorney: Matthew Nezhad | Main Office: 15233 Ventura Blvd, 5th Floor, Sherman Oaks, CA 91403 | (877) 539-5366
This article is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. The information presented may not reflect the most current legal developments and should not be relied upon as a substitute for consultation with a licensed attorney. Every personal injury case involves unique facts and circumstances, and the outcome of any case depends entirely on those specific facts. Any results, settlement amounts, or verdicts referenced in this content are specific to the individual cases described, are not typical, and do not guarantee, promise, or predict a similar outcome in your case. Reading this content does not create an attorney-client relationship with Oaks Law Firm. Contact us directly for a consultation specific to your situation.
