A class action lawsuit has been filed against the Six Flags waterpark alleging negligence in a Norwalk virus outbreak. The lawsuit was filed in Rensselaer County Supreme Court and claims Great Escape failed to warn patrons of the spreading norovirus.
Tall Tales restaurant at the Great Escape amusement park was closed on Friday March 14, 2008 due to an increasing number of people who reported becoming ill after visiting the lodge at the park. A New York State Health Department official indicated the Great Escape Lodge and Indoor Waterpark remained open, but the Tall Tales restaurant was closed after hundreds of people reported gastrointestinal illnesses. The health department set up a hot line, and more than 450 people have called to report becoming ill after visiting Great Escape. Some of the callers visited the park as early as March 2, 2008.
The virus is highly contagious and can be spread by contact, or eating contaminated food. Norovirus is known to be more threatening to young children, the elderly, and those with underlying medical conditions, such as diabetes.
