Woman Sues Las Vegas Bar After Penis-Shaped Ride Caused Her Serious Injuries

An Illinois woman has sued a Las Vegas bar, alleging she suffered serious injuries after being thrown from a penis-shaped mechanical ride.

Amber Zabran claims the incident happened on 22 November 2025 at The Nerd, a bar at the Neonopolis complex on Fremont Street in downtown Las Vegas. She filed a lawsuit in Clark County District Court, seeking damages over the alleged incident.

According to the complaint, Zabran visited the venue with friends and decided to ride the attraction, which is modelled on a mechanical bull. She alleges that she and her friends were not asked to sign waivers before mounting the ride.

'Her foot and/or ankle got caught under the main shaft area of the ride where there is a large cut-out section,' the lawsuit states.

Zabran alleges that the employee operating the ride made it increasingly difficult for her to remain on it before she was eventually thrown off.

The lawsuit claims she suffered serious and painful physical injuries, as well as psychological distress. It states that some of her injuries could be permanent.

'Zabran sustained great pain of body and mind, including serious and painful physical injuries, as well as shock and injury to her nervous system entailing mental stress, anxiety and anguish,' the complaint states.

The Nerd's Unusual Attraction

The attraction is advertised by The Nerd as the 'World Famous Gyrating Johnson Mechanical Member Bull'. The venue promotes it as a test of riders' ability to stay on the moving attraction.

'Ride it, slide it, stay on top of the World Famous Gyrating Johnson Mechanical Member Bull ride exclusively at The Nerd. Can you hang on?' the bar's website says.

The Nerd also features video games and a bowling alley, making the mechanical attraction part of a wider entertainment offering.

Zabran's lawsuit alleges negligence and claims the defendants failed to operate the ride safely and properly warn riders about potential dangers.

She is seeking special and actual damages, medical expenses exceeding $15,000 (£11,260), as well as legal fees. She has also requested a jury trial.

The case has attracted attention in Las Vegas because of the unusual nature of the attraction. Vital Vegas commentator Scott Roeben poked fun at the allegations while discussing the lawsuit.

'In our layperson's opinion, this suit is lacking hard evidence. It's possible there's a penetrating legal case. Will there be oral arguments? We assume The Nerd is mounting a legal defense,' Roeben wrote.

Previous Mechanical Ride Injuries

The lawsuit also raises broader questions about safety on mechanical-bull-style attractions. Riders can suffer injuries when they lose their balance and are thrown onto surrounding surfaces, particularly when machines suddenly accelerate or change direction.

There does not appear to be a documented previous lawsuit involving injuries on this specific attraction at The Nerd in the reports surrounding Zabran's case. However, similar mechanical rides have been associated with falls and injuries at venues elsewhere.

The case also contains an apparent dispute over safety waivers. Zabran claims she was not required to sign one, while The Nerd's website states that a waiver is required before riding.

The lawsuit alleges negligence, negligent hiring, retention and supervision, among other claims. It also invokes res ipsa loquitur, a legal doctrine that can allow negligence to be inferred from the circumstances of an incident.