Originally Posted By Rebekah This topic is for discussion of the 7/1/2003 news item <b><a href="http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/Main.asp?SectionID=25&SubSectionID=377&ArticleID=83701" target="_blank">TheTelegraph: Hudson teacher’s widow sues Disney</a></b> The July 1st <I>Telegraph</I> reports the widow of guest who drowned in the waters outside Disney's Grand Floridian Hotel is suing Disney for failing to take steps that could have prevented the accident.
Originally Posted By Shamus1326 This makes me sick... What ever happened to taking responsibility for your own stupid actions? And to blame the "Disney wait staff" for over serving him alcohol? He's an adult (as is his wife) and made a conscious decison to get drunk... In no way was it the wait staff's fault. It's just SO easy to sue now-a-days. It's always gotta be someone else's fault. And why not Disney's, since you know they'll probably settle out of corurt just to keep the whole thing mum!!
Originally Posted By mmaus1962 Any FL attorneys on the boards--what are Florida's dram shop laws like?
Originally Posted By WilliamK99 That is almost as bad as Outback being forced to pay millions of dollars because someone drank too much at the bar and killed someone drinking and driving.
Originally Posted By gfdiva Too much for her to prove. There's alot of rumor and speculation about what really happened and she may be getting herself in for more than she's bargaining for.
Originally Posted By LadyKluck "The suit seeks $10 million to compensate for Slattery’s lost wages and the suffering his death caused him, his wife and their children." Okay, this article needs to go to Jay Leno. Ummm....HE isn't suffering because HE is dead. Sorry, but that just showes you how ludacrous this lawsuit is!! Yes, it's terrible that he died, but I am complete agreement with Shamus1326 on this one.
Originally Posted By WilliamK99 I think its time Disney took a hardline stance on these lawsuits, start counter suing for legal fees. Maybe then people will realize its not the best bet to bring BS lawsuits to trial.
Originally Posted By mmaus1962 I agree with all of you about individuals accepting responsibility for their own actions. However, be aware that most states have laws about establishments that serve alcohol and what level of responsibility those businesses have regarding serving alcohol to individuals who appear intoxicated. I don't know what Florida's law are regarding this, nor do I know all of the facts surrounding this suit. Disney, I'm sure, is fully aware of what the state's dram shop laws are and part of their defense will certainly center around this. What I'm trying to say is, that without more information, none of us here can say unequivocally that Disney was entirely without fault in this situation. <<Dodging tomatoes.>>
Originally Posted By WilliamK99 Even if they are at fault, 10 million is a little too much in my humble opinion. I am so tired of the legal system and all the lawsuits.
Originally Posted By pipanale <<The suit charges the pier “constituted a trap for patrons who had been over-served alcohol by Disney’s wait staff.â€>> That's my favorite part. Those bastards at WDW! All they want to do is ply you with drinks, lower your inhibitions, and lure you into yet another gift shop. Someone give me a break. It's too bad, but picture this: Some drunk idiot, hair and shirt mussed up looking stumbling about by the 7 Seas Lagoon (not The Grand Lagoon as indicated in the article) singing "Yo Ho Yo Ho a Pirate's Life for me...Yo Ho...WHOA......glub glub glub" Having been on the receiving end of 3...count them...3 frivolous lawsuits, I think Disney should fight this one hard. They don't have to worry about making car payments and mortgage payments and can afford a lawyer or 5. Go for it guys...kick some butt!
Originally Posted By gfdiva I've noted that in the article she leaves out the part about the arguement that she and her hubby had. And the part about not gaining assistance immediatly after he fell in. Anyone who has been there knows that there are no lifeguards on property in the later hours, and none are ever posted near the 7 Seas Lagoon unless they are there overlooking either the Beach Pool at the GF (which the slide closes at dusk) or the Volcano Pool at the Poly. My feeling is that she has a guilty conscience and is trying to get money for it
Originally Posted By gfdiva I've noted that in the article she leaves out the part about the arguement that she and her hubby had. And the part about not gaining assistance immediatly after he fell in. Anyone who has been there knows that there are no lifeguards on property in the later hours, and none are ever posted near the 7 Seas Lagoon unless they are there overlooking either the Beach Pool at the GF (which the slide closes at dusk) or the Volcano Pool at the Poly. My feeling is that she has a guilty conscience and is trying to get money for it
Originally Posted By Labuda Great website to visit if you're like me and sick of these insane lawsuits/jury awards... www.stellaawards.com - I highly recommend the newsletter that you can subscribe to there for free.
Originally Posted By Epcot82Guy Of course the answer is simple, folks. Drain the 7-Seas Lagoon, build a 7 ft. wall around all areas that face the pit, and chain guests that take anything stronger than Nyquil to the central posts of the hotel. But, wait, when the man who carries a blowtorch and stone cutter falls into the former lagoon site and dies, he will be suffering too much (not to mention the cost of tools), so Disney will still be at fault. And What's the immediate lesson for his students? Drink and fight with your spouse as much as you want, just don't go to WDW. Great moral. (Sorry about the sarcasm. I just really get irked by things like this.)
Originally Posted By Neon Cactus It's sad that from a corporate standpoint, sometimes it's cheaper to settle than to fight these. I wish Disney fought back more, too. It's lawsuits like these that are a major reason the Skyride closed down. Like the person who "fell" out of the skyride at Disneyland conveniently into a tree.
Originally Posted By SJHYM If Disney believes they can win they will fight the lawsuit to the end. Its only when they think that they will lose and get hit with a high compensation verdict they will settle. Sometimes that means settling even when they are right...like when a child is hurt and Disney has no blame. Disney sees that as a hard to win situation. An injured child, distraught parents, sympathic jury and if Disney fights hard they look like the bad guys anyway. My guess is they will fight this case.
Originally Posted By -em in my eyes this is just pathetic- pretty soon they will have long sign your life on the dotted line disclamers for everything- sir you will be walking outside on our non covered path- I need you to sign this disclamer in case a)you stumble over your feet b)it rains c)you run into another guest d)etc. people- life is a risk- you risk your life even brushing your teeth and showering every morning- get over it... -em
Originally Posted By RokNRollaCosta i actually have a lawsuit pending against the walt disney company... i once got a blister on my heel after walking trhough their goliath- sized tehem parks. it caused me much pain and grieving, i also had to pay my own medical bills (the cost of a band aid.) disneys gonna get it now.
