PORTER | A Highland family is suing Splash Down Dunes water park in Porter, saying an exposed bolt in a pool area cut a 7-year-old girl's nose and the skin under her left eye.

The lawsuit, filed last week in Porter County, states Autumn Harris suffered pain, permanent injuries, medical expenses and disfigurement. The girl and her parents, Terah Harris and Edward Gutierrez, are listed as plaintiffs.

Splash Down Dunes Owner Paul Childress said he couldn't comment about the lawsuit.

Merrillville attorney Andrew Yoder, who is representing the family, said the girl was injured two years ago while at the park with her grandparents. He said the water park's insurance carrier has denied liability.

This is the second lawsuit this year resulting from an injury at the park.

An Illinois man sued about three months ago, claiming he was injured last summer on a 68-foot slide.

Thomas McGoldrick said he had not yet exited the slide known as The Tower when a park employee allowed another patron to slide down and crash into him.

McGoldrick said he suffered ongoing injuries and owes money for medical bills. He accused the park of negligence for allowing multiple patrons to use the slide at one time, according to the suit.

The park, which is located along U.S. 20 in Porter, also is accused of failing to maintain proper supervision of its premises or properly train its employees. Childress said there were no reports of accidents on the day in question -- July 11 -- or any other day last season.

McGoldrick also has been unable to produce a receipt for his visit to the park on that day, and there is no entrance fee charged to a credit card in his name. Patrons have the option of paying the admission fee in cash, Childress said.