Widow sues Disney

[figmentvi]

That's exactly correct Deb. I work for a large oil company and that is precisely how they handle frivolous lawsuits such as this one we are discussing.

Unfortunately, a lot of people know this fact about large companies like Disney, McDonalds and the company that I work for and so they count on the suit never going to court and they get a nice little settlement in their pocket.

However, the tides are turning and more and more good honest people are realizing that large companies are not to blame in all cases and these people are becoming jurors. A good jury selection and tort reform are beginning to cut down on large awards.

 

[DawnCt]

I would not be surprised if there were not some monetary award in this law suit. If he were obviously drunk and continued to be served alcohol, that may emerge as a factor. If the guard identified the man as incapacitated and "abandoned "him, that may be a factor. If the pier, as said was not marked and obstructed with even a rope, that may be a factor. Frankly, I don't recall any unobstructed entries in the water from any pier at Disney. I doubt that Disney would even consider settling unless they thought that they could lose. They don't typically settle but use the cadre of lawyers they have on board for their day in court. Perhaps in the end, the blame will be shared

 

[TIdoublegaER]

Quite frankly, I don't think Disney will let this case go to court, so jury selection will probably have nothing to do with it. They'll settle it quietly to make it go away. Paying her $10,000 or even $100,000 (or more) may be worth it in the long run to Disney to avoid damaging their good will and reputation. Let's face it they want people coming to WDW, it wouldn't look good for Disney to fight this one out in court even if they are right. Sadly, this seems to be the norm in our country.

I'm sure the next we hear about this case will be that it was settled for an undisclosed sum and both sides are prohibited to speak about it.

 

[Towncrier]

This type of lawsuit can only happen in the United States. We are becoming a nation of faultless individuals who take no responsibility for our own mistakes. I am afraid (as someone posted earlier) that Disney will end up settling this case out of court. And the sad thing is that we only have ourselves to blame.

 

[JohnTBap]

Originally posted by Lorix2

Slattery had gone to relieve himself, the suit states. He walked out to the end of the pier, which, unlike the sides, had no guardrail.

“Unsteady by the alcohol served by Disney restaurant wait staff, Mr. Slattery fell fully clothed in suit and tie into the Grand Lagoon and drowned,” the suit states.

A: Who was there to see this?

B: Why didn't they JUMP IN AND SAVE HIM?

 

[AirForceRocks]

Surely no one is surprised at this. IMO, it's just another example of the "something for nothing" society we live in, where people aren't expected to be responsible for their own actions.

 

[Saffron]

JTB - my exact thoughts when I read that. I was wondering how people knew he fell in???? How do they know he didn't jump in??? How did someone know he was relieving himself? They saw him fall in, but did nothing? (That's the weird part of the story -- not the fact that a teacher could afford to stay at the Grand Floridian. ) But then again, if I saw some guy peeing off the end of the dock at the Grand Floridian, I'd look away and not look back to make sure he was okay.

I feel for the family. I don't know whose wrong or whose right in this situation, I only know that NO ONE, intoxicated or sober, should be peeing off a dock at the Grand Floridian or any other dock at any other hotel!!!!!!!!!!

 

[ripleysmom]

Very good point Miss Jasmine

 

[Disney Doll]

Yet another shining example of the fact that a lack of personal responsibilty is alive and well in the world.

 

[philaround]

First let me say that I agree that this appears to be a "pay me for my stupidity" suit and I am unfamiliar with Florida law. However, in some states the bar or restaurant owner is considered liable for any injuries or deaths caused by someone who has overindulged in their establishment.
This law has been inacted in many states to help when a drunk injures or kills someone while trying to drive home. Unfortunately it can also be used in cases like this. So if Florida has this law she could win. The only hope WDW would have is if this man is found at least partially responsible in his own death.
i.e. If the wife is awarded 1 milion dollars, but her husband is found 50% responsible, WDW would only have to pay her 1/2 million.

 

[Pinnie]

Does Fl have a "Dram Shop" law like we have here in MI? This law make the establishment and or bartender that served the alcohol liable in the event of the drunk person doing harm to himself or another. It's the reason my DH stopped moonlighting as a bartender up here.



pin

 

[MickeyCrazed]

of how this family could afford to stay at the Grand Floridian.
But.....
If I remember the newspaper article clearly, it stated they were staying at the Poly. Husband and Wife went to dinner together at the GF and fought. She left and went back to the Poly without him. He never showed up and they eventually found him in the lagoon the next day.
Very sad story, but pretty unfair to try to sue Disney over this unfortunate situation.

 

[epcotfan]

Originally posted by luvwinnie
and was responsible for his own drinking. Drives me NUTS when people get drunk and then try to blame others for the tragedy that ensues.

Ditto

 

[C.Ann]

I'm very sorry that this woman lost her husband - and at Disney World, no less - but when people overindulge in alcohol, anything and everything that happens to them is their own fault..

 

[Serena]

Originally posted by TIdoublegaER
As John Stossel says, "Give me a break!"

exactly!

 

[DocRafiki]

Originally posted by AirForceRocks
Surely no one is surprised at this. IMO, it's just another example of the "something for nothing" society we live in, where people aren't expected to be responsible for their own actions.

AFR-- OMG!!! Are you saying his death is NOTHING? That his life meant NOTHING?










j/k

 

[C.Ann]

Originally posted by DocRafiki
AFR-- OMG!!! Are you saying his death is NOTHING? That his life meant NOTHING?










j/k

-------------------------------------

I don't think she's saying that the man's life meant "nothing" but rather that it was his own stupidity and irresponsibility that caused his death and now his wife is trying to make Disney pay for it.. SHE is the one trying to get "something for nothing" - in as much as Disney was not responsible (that's where the "nothing" comes into play).. Disney did "nothing" wrong, so why should they have to pay out this huge amount of money?

 

[Magickndm]

Originally posted by philaround
The only hope WDW would have is if this man is found at least partially responsible in his own death.

Partially? Try 100%.
As far as the dock not being safe, give me a break, my DH is an engineer and even I know there are very strict building codes everyone has to meet and Disney usually goes overboard with their safety.
I'm not sure about the laws here in FL as far as the bartender being responsible for an intoxicated person, but I know for a fact that someone who appears to be sober can be totally past his/her limit.
If this person does get money from this horrible accident, next time Disney increases their ticket prices, you can remember it is partially from situations like this.

 

[Shannon G]

First of all, an adult is responsible for him/herself. She is more to blame then Disney as she didn't help her obviously incapacitated husband to his room.

And obviously you have never dealt with an intoxicated adult who doesn't want any help at that time, is argumentative and basically just takes off. Some of you would benefit from an open Alanon or AA meeting based on some of the insensitive comments being made here.

Miss Jasmine - I don't think that people are trying to say that it's easy to deal with an intoxicated person at all, or are meaning to be insensitive. I think the point being made is that if the wife was that concerned about his safety, she could have sought help in dealing with him. It is just hard to stomach the wife's argument when she says he had obviously had too much to drink and the security guard should have called for help on his radio rather than walking away momentarily to get help (because the man so obviously should not have been left alone) and yet she left him alone, and went back to their room at another resort, without notifying anyone that there was a problem. If it should have been so obvious to the security guard that he needed to be supervised for his own safety, why did the wife simply leave him alone at the GF, and return to the Poly., without notifying anyone at that time?

I don't think that people are really trying to blame the wife, just making the point that she did exactly what she is blaming others for doing.

 

[AirForceRocks]

Originally posted by DocRafiki
AFR-- OMG!!! Are you saying his death is NOTHING? That his life meant NOTHING?










j/k

Touche' DocRafiki!!!