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Respected Contributor
Posts: 3,512
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

Re: Who do you think is at fault?

I am so tired of sue


@cherry wrote:

A woman fell after posing on a plastic donkey and is now suing the  Mexican restaurant for $15,000. She says there was no stool there to help her get on and off

 

She should have noticed that, when she  made a poor desion to get on the thing. No one forced her to do it.  There is no sign there inviting people to hop on the donkeys back to take a snap.

 

 

When are people responsible for their own choices?



happy mentalities.....I have heard that in the UK, you can have your day in court, but if you lose, you are not only going to pay for your lawyer, but you will pay their attorney fees as well. That's smart- not so many crowded court rooms with frivolous suits.

Poodlepet2

Honored Contributor
Posts: 33,580
Registered: ‎03-10-2010

Re: Who do you think is at fault?

[ Edited ]

According to the story, she is saying it should have had a saddle or something on it to keep her from falling off.

 

She slipped off of it and broke her spine.  Had it had a saddle, she wouldn't have slid off.  Then it says there is also no stool for people to get on and off. 

 

The story says people often pose on it wearing a sombrero.  They are claiming the restaurant encourages people to pose on the donkey and that people often get on top with bottles of booze, sometimes doubled up, and pose for photos. 

 

This story is quite different from the OP's story and who knows what is going on.  If the restaurant really does encourage people to get on and take photos, that is more of an issue than people just being dumb and getting on it to pose.

 

I'd not get on it but there could be an issue here.

Respected Contributor
Posts: 3,784
Registered: ‎03-14-2010

Re: Who do you think is at fault?

To be honest, it did look  like the restaurant encourages people to climb up to take pictures after seeing the article.

 

The donkey did look slick.  They at least needed a sign to warn they were climbing on it as their own risk.

 

Posting that they are climbing on it at their own risk still does not relieve the restaurant of the liability.

 

If the restaurant turns this over to their insurance company, they will deal with her. No lawsuit should be needed.

 

If it happens on your property, your insurance should pay.  Again, not fair.

 

Honored Contributor
Posts: 17,739
Registered: ‎03-09-2010

Re: Who do you think is at fault?

NO it's not.There is no sign saying take a picture. She could see there was no saddle

 

Just because other people do it, doesn't mean if you do, and it doesn't work out the same for you sue

Honored Contributor
Posts: 20,019
Registered: ‎08-08-2010

Re: Who do you think is at fault?


@cherry wrote:

NO it's not.There is no sign saying take a picture. She could see there was no saddle

 

Just because other people do it, doesn't mean if you do, and it doesn't work out the same for you sue


 

The old adage "if your friends jump off a bridge are you going to do it too"?  comes to mind. 

 

She is the one that will live with the long term results of the injury if there is one. Kind of dumb to assume that just because it can be done (or has been done by others) that it should be.

Respected Contributor
Posts: 4,028
Registered: ‎03-19-2010

Re: Who do you think is at fault?

[ Edited ]

My common sense thinking wants to say she is at fault for making the decision  to place herself somewhere she shouldn't have without forethought.  

 

Her defense:  well everyone else does, it is an accepted practice; there is no sign banning it, there is no barriers preventing it.  

 

But......in today's world we have to protect everyone from temptation, lack of judgement, and just plain stupidity.

 

If I'm in the woods and decide to climb a tree and then fall, who am I going to sue...the tree, the property owner (what if I own the property)?  Well may-be I can sue the manufacturer of my footwear.

 

Sorry for my negativity this morning, life has been a little frustrating lately.

Honored Contributor
Posts: 20,781
Registered: ‎03-14-2010

Re: Who do you think is at fault?

Unfortunately, suing is a quick way to make a buck in this country.

~What a terrible era in which idiots govern the blind.~ William Shakespeare
Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 7,519
Registered: ‎09-24-2011

Re: Who do you think is at fault?


@deepwaterdotter wrote:

I suspect a judge may find the restaurant at fault for not having a sign stating no one is allowed to sit on the donkey, or for not having a barrier around the donkey to limit access to the area.


IMHO no signage is required.  Will restaurants be expected to put up signs to chew your food before you swallow next?!!? Why should those who lack civility and common sense get rewarded?  And, whether or not she or her lawyer (wasn't too DUMB to lawyer up!) got the money, the only ones who are adversely affected in the end is the restaurant's patrons 'cause as the operating costs go up, the meal/liquor prices will rise: so one irresponsible person just managed to jack up costs for everyone, just to make a few bucks.  Sad, very sad. Society should not condone this.

Esteemed Contributor
Posts: 7,725
Registered: ‎08-19-2014

Re: Who do you think is at fault?

[ Edited ]

    .I can tell you,without knowing the specific laws for that state,that there is comparative or contributory negligence here.The restaurant should have had a sign posted warning  people against climbing on the donkey.At the same time the woman should have used some common sense in not climbing onto it.

   Bottom line liability rests at 50/50. This of course can be mitigated by specific circumstances like if there is a documented history of people being injured climbing on the donkey etc.Then it could be argued that there should have been a barrier around the donkey or it should have been removed.This could shift more of the responsibility back to the restaurant or property owner,depending on state law.

Super Contributor
Posts: 266
Registered: ‎05-01-2010

Re: Who do you think is at fault?

I bet the restaurant has a sign on the donkey now.