Sunday, November 28, 2010

Atlantis Bahamas Danger! Enter at your own Risk!


To Mr. Solomon Kerzner    
                                                                                                                                       
Re: Atlantis Resort Bahamas 

Dear Mr. Sol Kerzner

    My name is Dr. Paul Finucan I was injured on the water slide (Surge) at the water park at Atlantis Saturday 8/21/10.  I made a report at both the nurses’ station and with the security office at Atlantis. ( copy of report enclosed).  I have also contacted Ms. Fountain, Latoya.Fountain@kerzner.com by phone and email. She said she would respond, but she has not thus far. Therefore I am sending you this email.
     We have been to Atlantis resort and Water Park (Bahamas), we thought when we were on your properties the safety and welfare of your guests would be a high priority. We had never been to the water park before, now we have come to find out that tourists if injured at Atlantis are sent away with, so sorry about your injuries hope you get well, but we are not going to help you. I have been ignored and looked at from the very start as an inconvenience to the Atlantis personnel after having a serious injury at Atlantis. The manager and your security people kept me for 3 hours filling out reports and waiting in a wheel chair to go back to the ship. All the while sitting cold (soaking wet sitting in air conditioning) injured and in pain. Not one of the staff seeing me for 3 hours sitting in a wheel chair bruised, scraped, bleeding, and in pain, asked me if any they could help me in any way. Not one asked about my welfare. Even asking for a glass of water seemed too much to ask, but someone did finally give me a cup of water. My family and I have traveled to many places and resorts and have never before been treated with such carelessness. I expected much more from Atlantis its management and staff.
     Subsequently after my accident at Atlantis my wife and I talked to several others that were injured on the same water slide.  One gentleman required stitches in his head. If I hit the cement head first instead of striking my heel first, I would have suffered severe and possibly fatal head injuries. This appears very negligent to me and that Atlantis is not concerned at correcting and making this water slide safe.  I also have proof that the attendants know about risks on this ride and I will provide it if needed.
My chief symptoms since the accident have been headaches, sharp right heel pain with difficult walking and unable to put weight on my heel, right leg muscle pain, neck pain and stiffness, upper back pain and stiffness, low back pain and stiffness, all Lumbar ranges of motion are limited by pain and stiffness, pain and numbness down left thigh and left leg. 
As a direct result of the water slide I sustained the following injuries: Head trauma, neck sprain/strain, right heel contusion and bone bruise, left knee abrasions, multiple lumbar disc injuries. The MRI shows L5 disc herniated, L3 and L4 disc bulges. Reports enclosed. Before this accident I had no pain or injures.
As a result of these injuries I have missed work days and still now 2 months later, I have been limited and unable to work to my full capacity as a physician. I have lost considerable income and have had a great deal of medical expense.
When I made the report immediately while at Atlantis, the manager at Atlantis stated she would refund our credit card for the charges witch I still have not received to date. We were charged $380.00 on 8/21/10. Atlantis adventures. (update now credited $110 only) I was charged $380 for my family and myself, we were at the park only 30 min. when I was injured and we had to go back to the ship. I was told by the manager I would be refunded $380 not $110. The hotel manager also said for me to send my medical bills to Atlantis and they would be paid. I have been paid nothing!
I have discussed my injuries with a Law Firm in the Bahamas, they stated they have other clients that were also injured at Atlantis.
First and foremost I am asking you to have the Surge and all the slides at Atlantis be checked and made safe. I would not have had these injuries if this ride were safe! Train life guards important care instructions when someone is injured, and when to call for assistance.
I have sustained permanent spinal injuries as shown in the report along with pain and suffering, loss of work and my family vacation was totally ruined, to say the least. 
 Why not to go to Atlantis. Not one person, lifeguard or manager at Atlantis showed compassion or concern for my well being. When I was standing in the rapids immediately after my injuries the lifeguard just stood there looking at me in pain. Then when I said I was hurt she pointed to the Nurse station, far away and went back to her post. No one helped or assisted me limping all the way.
Update: This letter was sent to Atlantis and to Mr. Sol Kerzner with no response at all. I believe this demonstrates their total disregard for anyone injured at Atlantis.