Lawyer Claims Roller Coaster Injury Ended Career

A Los Angeles attorney claims that a visit to Six Flags Magic Mountain with his grandchildren resulted in a severe brain injury that has ended his legal career. The lawsuit alleges that Michael Wilk suffered a catastrophic injury while riding the park's X2 roller coaster.

Wilk, an experienced lawyer, visited the Valencia amusement park in February with his daughter and grandchildren. According to the lawsuit, the family outing turned into a medical emergency when Wilk experienced a violent head impact against the headrest while on the X2 ride. The coaster is known for its seats that rotate 360 degrees while riders are in a face-down position.

Following the ride, Wilk reported feeling ill, experiencing a stabbing head pain and dizziness, and having difficulty walking. His colleagues later noticed a decline in his cognitive function, prompting them to urge him to seek medical attention.

A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan on June 4 revealed significant intracranial bleeding and swelling, along with a midline shift in his brain, the suit states. An emergency embolization procedure was performed, but it failed to stop the bleeding.

Subsequent medical evaluations indicated that the bleeding had been present for months, consistent with the timing of his roller coaster ride. Wilk underwent two craniotomies to address the bleeding. Despite these interventions, he continues to suffer from debilitating headaches, confusion, memory loss, and personality changes. The lawsuit contends that these conditions have rendered him unable to practice law and have resulted in permanent cognitive impairment.

The lawsuit also references at least a dozen other individuals who have allegedly sustained injuries after riding the X2 coaster. Among them is Christopher Hawley, a 22-year-old who reportedly suffered fatal brain bleeding after riding the coaster in June 2022, dying the following day. His family's wrongful-death lawsuit against Six Flags and the supplier of the coaster's replacement trains resulted in an undisclosed settlement in August.

The X2 roller coaster has been closed since July pending an investigation by Cal/OSHA into a separate incident. The coaster, which first opened in 2002 as X, has been the subject of several previous lawsuits alleging serious brain injuries.

Six Flags was contacted for comment regarding the lawsuit. The park has previously advertised the X2 as an extreme thrill ride designed to challenge even experienced thrill-seekers.

Wilk is seeking damages for medical expenses and past and future lost earnings.