Three injured riders filed lawsuits in California Superior Court alleging catastrophic brain injuries from the X2 roller coaster at Six Flags Magic Mountain. Attorneys representing the plaintiffs report more than 100 additional clients have come forward with similar claims, while state regulators continue an active inspection of the closed ride.
Catastrophic Injuries Spark Waves of Litigation in Valencia
Legal action against Six Flags Magic Mountain intensified when Beverly Hills-based Dordick Law Corporation filed three separate lawsuits in California Superior Court. Attorney Gary Dordick announced the filings at a news conference, stating that his firm has retained more than 100 additional clients who report suffering brain damage after riding the X2 roller coaster in Valencia, California.
The newly filed complaints join a growing body of litigation surrounding the 200-foot-high attraction. Six Flags’ legal team has previously argued in court filings that the ride undergoes routine testing and that the forces involved are insufficient to injure a typical rider who follows posted safety instructions. Yet the latest plaintiffs present severe medical outcomes that occurred immediately after stepping off the ride.
The design of this ride makes it inherently dangerous and makes it dangerous in a way that no reasonable rider would expect.
Christopher Bulone, attorney with Dordick Law Corporation
Emergency Brain Surgeries Follow Visits in July
Two of the newly filed lawsuits center on riders who suffered severe medical emergencies within days of each other in July. Pamela Guillen visited the theme park on July 5 to celebrate her daughter Camille’s 16th birthday. According to court documents, Guillen repeatedly struck her head against the headrest while the train twisted, dived, and spun along the track.
When the ride returned to the station, Guillen exhibited a vacant stare and was unable to exit her seat without assistance before losing consciousness. Medical imaging at Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital revealed a severe subdural hematoma accompanied by brain compression. Surgeons performed an emergency craniectomy to decompress her brain, and she remained unconscious for two weeks.
Just six days later, on July 11, 25-year-old Naomi Greer-Wilkinson lost consciousness after riding the X2 with her siblings. She underwent multiple operations to relieve intracranial pressure. Her parents remain with her daily as she struggles to breathe on her own, described in court filings as an incompetent adult. A third lawsuit was filed on behalf of Los Angeles attorney Michael Wilk, who alleges he suffered massive brain bleeding and swelling after riding the coaster on February 7, requiring two operations and leaving him unable to practice law.
State Inspection and Ride Closure at Six Flags Magic Mountain
In response to the mounting injuries and public scrutiny, park authorities grounded the ride. The California Division of Occupational Safety and Health launched an active inspection into the attraction. A Six Flags spokesperson confirmed that the X2 has remained closed since the evening of July 12, maintaining a policy against commenting on pending litigation.
The attraction itself utilizes a distinct mechanism featuring seats that rotate independently while traveling at speeds up to 76 miles per hour. Medical records cited in legal proceedings indicate that the intense forces generated by the X2 ride caused the traumatic injuries sustained by the riders.
Preceding Claims and the Christopher Hawley Wrongful Death Case
The current legal challenge follows a prior wrongful death case brought by the family of Christopher Hawley. The 22-year-old died after riding the X2 in June 2022 and being diagnosed with a catastrophic subdural hematoma. Both Six Flags and ride manufacturer S&S Worldwide separately resolved the Hawley family’s claims through confidential agreements, each denying wrongdoing.
Unresolved Questions Surrounding Park Warnings and Future Operations
As Dordick Law Corporation prepares to file additional lawsuits in the coming weeks, critical questions remain about what park management knew prior to the recent emergency surgeries.