NEED TO KNOW

  • A New Jersey woman claims she was struck in the face with a Swiss Army Knife while on a family ride at American Dream Mall’s Nickelodeon Universe last year
  • In a civil complaint filed on behalf of Xianghua Nan, the mother of two claims the park lacked proper safety measures like clear warnings to remove loose items before boarding rides
  • Nan claims her injuries have resulted in nearly $14,000 in medical expenses

A mom visiting America’s largest indoor theme park with her two young children claims she was “struck” with a Swiss Army Knife while on board a family ride last year. 

In a civil complaint filed in a Superior Court of New Jersey and obtained by PEOPLE, Xianghua Nan says she attended the Nickelodeon Universe Theme Park at the American Dream Mall in East Rutherford on July 29, 2025. According to its website, the park offers a variety of kids’ and thrill rides themed after beloved Nickelodeon characters and shows like Spongebob, Paw Patrol and Rugrats.  

During the visit, Nan claims she boarded a ride intended for families called Loud House.

Nickelodeon Universe Theme Park at American Dream Mall in East Rutherford, N.J.

KENA BETANCUR/AFP via Getty


“While the ride was in operation, a Swiss knife became airborne and struck [Nan] directly in the face,” the complaint says. “As a result of the impact, [Nan] sustained immediate bleeding, pain and visible injury.” 

Nan says she immediately requested that the ride be stopped and “an employee retrieved the Swiss knife from the ride floor.” While receiving treatment, Nan alleges one of the employees “was observed laughing,” which “reflects inadequate training and supervision and demonstrates a disregard for patron safety.” 

The complaint claims Nan sustained a “facial laceration and contusion, cervical spine trauma, disc herniation” at C3-4 and C4-5 and “straightening of cervical lordosis consistent with acute injury.” 

Nan allegedly accrued medical charges from three separate facilities for a total of at least $13,602.85, with additional treatment anticipated. 

The complaint names American Dream Mall, LLC, the Nickelodeon Universe Theme Park and Triple Five Worldwide, LLC, which owns and operates the American Dream Mall, as defendants. 

The complaint claims “there were no visible, clear, or adequately placed warning signs at or near the subject ride requiring patrons to empty their pockets or remove loose or hazardous objects prior to boarding.” She further claims there was no verbal instruction to do so either. 

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Nan is demanding a trial by jury and is seeking damages for medical expenses, physical pain, and “permanent” injury.

PEOPLE has reached out to Nan’s attorneys, Triple Five Worldwide and the American Dream Mall, who handles public relations for the property’s Nickelodeon Universe Theme Park, for comment.