Posted on 05/01/2003 9:47:14 AM PDT by new cruelty
ORLANDO -- An Auburndale 12year-old learned the hard way not to mess with Marvel Comics super-villain Dr. Doom.
Now his family wants to teach Dr. Doom a lesson.
But this drama is playing out in the courts, not the comics, and embroiling Universal's Islands of Adventure Theme Park in Orlando.
Buffy Skinner claims a man playing the character Dr. Doom caused mental and physical anguish to her son, Richard Skinner, by threatening and manhandling him during a visit to the park.
The family filed suit Tuesday against Islands of Adventure. It is seeking damages "in excess of $15,000," according to the complaint.
During a school field trip last year, Richard, then a fifth-grader, pulled on the cape of Dr. Doom, played by Jeffrey Brozovich, according to Skinner and an Orlando Police Department report.
The cape is connected to the face mask, which caused Brozovich's head to snap back, the police report said.
Brozovich told police when he turned around, Richard had his fists clenched under his chin, the report said. Brozovich said in the report he thought Richard was going to punch him.
Brozovich then grabbed Richard's hand and started squeezing his fingers, the report said.
Richard told police Brozovich said, "If you ever do that again, I will break your fingers."
Brozovich released Richard's hands, the report said, but then grabbed his shirt and broke his necklace.
Buffy Skinner said she saw Brozovich holding her son and had to step between the two until Brozovich released Richard.
"I literally had to pull him away," Skinner said. "He had no right treating him (Richard) in that manner."
Skinner said Brozovich was not playing the character of Dr. Doom during the confrontation.
"He was uncontrollable for whatever reason," Skinner said.
Orlando Police responded about seven hours after the incident, and according to the report, they found no visible injuries on Richard.
Police did not arrest Brozovich.
It was not known whether Brozovich, who is listed in the suit, is still a park employee.
Universal Orlando did not return phone calls Wednesday.
Skinner said she thinks the incident wasn't taken seriously when she reported it to park management.
"What really shocked me was that they treated us terribly," Skinner said.
No one offered to replace Richard's necklace, which Skinner said was worth about $50.
Richard had to get ice from a food and beverage stand to help his sore hands, Skinner said, because the park didn't offer any assistance.
Richard was withdrawn the remainder of the day, Skinner said.
"Had they called us and apologized and replaced the necklace, this would have been resolved," Skinner said.
The Skinners haven't been back to Universal's Islands of Adventure, and Skinner said Richard won't go near characters at other theme parks.
Skinner's attorney, Greg Abaray, said he hopes this suit sends a message to Universal.
"Universal made no attempts to rectify," Abaray said. "You can't treat a paying customer like that."
However, Universal did recently offer Skinner $500 after receiving letters from the attorney.
"They said $500, take it or leave it," Abaray said.
Skinner rejected Universal's offer, which came five to six months after the incident, and only after Abaray contacted the theme park.
My friends call me Victor.
I put the blame squarely on the parents for not teaching their kids proper manners. These actors have the right to defend themselves from overzealous "fans"...
And you don't pull the mask off that old Lone Ranger.
Gratuitous Wolverine BUMP!
And a bump in return....
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