What happens to Six Flags after Hassan Kariem’s fall? Lawyer explains ‘zone of danger’ lawsuits

ATLANTA, GEORGIA: The death of Hassan Jihad Ibn Kariem, 42, after he was ejected from Six Flags Over Georgia’s Goliath roller coaster has raised questions about ride safety and potential legal action.

On Tuesday, October 13, personal injury attorney Michael Neff told The Sun that Six Flags could face legal scrutiny over the fatal incident. Riders who witnessed the incident may also have grounds to seek damages for emotional distress, depending on the circumstances.

The accident left four other people injured and prompted an investigation by Cobb County police. Six Flags said it was deeply saddened by the death and was cooperating with authorities.

Six Flags faces lawsuit risk after fatal Goliath fall

Neff, an Atlanta-based personal injury attorney who previously won a $35 million verdict against Six Flags in 2017, said the case could raise questions about the park’s responsibility to keep its attractions safe.

“If you look at the legal issue of premises liability, when you open up your business, when you open up a property for people to come on and do business with you, you have an obligation to your customers to act reasonably and responsibly to make sure it’s safe,” Neff said.

He explained that the park could be the primary focus of any potential claim, although other parties, including property managers, ride vendors and contractors, could also come under scrutiny.

“We need more facts before we can make a judgment or an assessment,” he said, stressing that the circumstances of the incident still needed to be established.

The Goliath roller coaster opened at the Georgia park in April 2006. The ride stands 200 feet tall and can reach speeds of up to 70 mph, making it one of the park’s major attractions.

Neff said the central issue would be whether the riders were properly secured and whether reasonable safety measures had been followed.

“And for whatever reason, that didn’t happen. A family has lost a father and that is a tragedy, especially when it presumably didn’t need to happen,” he said. Authorities have not established the cause of the incident, and the investigation remains ongoing.

Witnesses recount Hassan Kariem’s fatal roller coaster fall

Several witnesses described the frightening moments when Kariem was ejected from his seat during the ride.

Logan Conner, who was riding with his fiancee, told NBC News that Kariem appeared to rise sideways out of the roller coaster car. “The man started levitating in the air sideways,” Conner said, adding that they made direct eye contact.

Another witness, Nicholas Mendenhall, told the Today show that Kariem was thrown forward and fell headfirst.

“It was in slow motion. And there was a moment where I was like, ‘God just let this man stay in that cart.’ It all happened so fast,” Mendenhall recalled.

Cici Nelson, who was waiting in line, said the ride returned to the loading station with an empty seat and distressed passengers.

She noticed that the safety bar was loose and that a young passenger appeared to be injured and covered in blood. “Once I saw the girl and the loose safety bar, my stomach dropped and I was terrified,” Nelson told CNN.

Aerial footage later showed officials stopping the ride and passengers being escorted down a steep incline.

The incident prompted the park to be evacuated as authorities investigated. Kariem was found unresponsive and not breathing, according to authorities.

Six Flags witnesses could seek emotional distress damages

Neff also said some people who witnessed Kariem’s fall could potentially pursue claims for emotional distress, depending on the circumstances.

“There’s an area of law, negligent infliction of emotional distress, and it’s rare, but it is applicable when you’re in the zone of danger,” he told The Sun.

He pointed to the possibility of lasting psychological harm after witnessing such a traumatic event.

“I’m a lawyer, not a doctor, but I think post-traumatic stress disorder, if there’s ever a traumatic event that would trigger something like that, this is just a terrible, terrible incident,” Neff said.

Any potential claims would depend on the facts of the case and the applicable legal requirements. Neff did not suggest that any particular witness would automatically qualify for damages.

Meanwhile, Kariem’s family is mourning the loss of a man they described as a beloved educator and a source of joy.

His cousin, Geo Ashe, told Fox affiliate WAGA that their family had grown up visiting Six Flags together every summer. “He was the sunshine to our family. Our whole family is devastated by this because it just happened out the blue,” Ashe said.

 She added that Kariem was a cancer survivor who loved working with children in Atlanta’s school system.

Although he did not have biological children, his stepdaughter had been part of his life since she was very young. “He loved doing that, he loved kids,” Ashe said.

Six Flags faces lawsuits and falling stock prices

The fatal incident comes as Six Flags faces other legal challenges involving its rides. Several thrill-seekers have filed lawsuits alleging that the company’s X2 roller coaster at Six Flags Magic Mountain in California caused severe brain injuries.

Legal filings have also linked the ride to the death of 22-year-old Christopher Hawley. Six Flags permanently retired X2, saying in a statement that ride safety remained a priority.

“We believe it’s the right thing to do. Ride safety is a cornerstone of our business, and when we see guest confidence affected, we take it seriously,” the company said.

The company is also facing pressure from Jana Partners, an investment firm that urged Six Flags in September to explore a sale following disappointing financial results.

An investor group that includes NFL star Travis Kelce and holds a 9% stake in Six Flags has also been campaigning for the company to consider a sale. Following Kariem’s death, Six Flags shares fell roughly 14% on Tuesday, October 13, adding to the scrutiny surrounding the amusement park operator.