Woman dies after being in water drinking contest (hope they get sued) - Page 4

Mira · January 17th, 2007, 10:31 PM

I still think the woman didn't truly understand what she was signing. Yes, she's responsible, but IMO the warning probably could and should have been a lot stronger and more clear.

It's just like that case up in Washington State yesterday. Two kids fell through thin ice. This warning was posted: Danger. Thin Ice. Do Not Pass This Point.

The sign should have read: Somebody Died Here Yesterday. Do NOT Go Beyond this Point.

Some people are just stupid, and foolish. I think the woman was caught up in the moment, combined with the probability that the warning was not clear enough or the point was not driven home enough to these contestants.

moomies · January 17th, 2007, 10:33 PM

I think someone mentioned how about hot dog eating contests?
From what I understand, people that compete in such contest regard themselves as athletes, they train and are examined by physicians etc and many are um "professional" (or so they think) so that they are also more aware of their physical limits.

I remember having forced to drink tons of water and hold it for quite some time for my ultrasound, it was a terrible feeling not being able to go pee!

Lobelia · January 17th, 2007, 10:33 PM

Plenty of stupidity, all round.

celeb_2006 · January 18th, 2007, 01:13 AM

I'm just waiting for the next great contest idea, how much KFC or taco bell can you eat without going to the toilet and having a nuclear blast.

travelbug · January 18th, 2007, 09:19 AM

These contestants probably signed a general disclaimer that in no way warned them of the specific danger of water intoxication. How many times a year do we all sign disclaimers? They're so common now they're almost meaningless. To leave my child at a drop-off child care center I had to sign a disclaimer saying that I wouldn't sue them for anything BUT criminal negligence. Bullshit. I didn't have a choice but to sign it if I wanted to use their services but that kind of sweeping disclaimer is bullshit and I don't think it would hold up in court. Ever see a sign on the back of a open truck that says "Not responsible for broken windshields"? Bullshit. These trucks have all kinds of crap piled to the top just flying down the freeway. A stupid sign should not release them from negligence.

The radio station employees were totally cognizant of the dangers of this contest, that should've been communicated to the contestents in clear language in large print on any disclaimer signed. Also, the DJ's were giving the contestants false information verbally throughout the contest, telling them that their stomachs would make them throw up. That poor woman was saying she had a headache and felt woozy and they shrugged it off when they should've been calling an ambulance.

Here's an analogy...if I'm at the gym running on the treadmill and I start to feel nauseated and have pain in my left arm, and I tell a gym employee of these symptoms, do you think they should just say "Well, maybe you should sit down"? Or should they bust their ass to the phone to call 911?

This radio station not only encouraged the behavior, they downplayed symptoms of a deadly condition they had full knowledge of, and they failed to render aid. At a minimum they should be charged with criminal negligence. The DA is doing this family and society as a whole a grievous wrong by not bringing charges. At a bare miniumum the radio station should've called 911. But they chose to instead ignore the problem hoping it would go away because they knew they were putting lives in danger. I hope to God that if I am in public and need medical assistance, someone will care enough to call 911.

crumpet · January 18th, 2007, 10:06 AM

This is tacky, tacky radio.
Maybe so, but it's one that she listened to.
I don't think that this woman deserved to die for choosing to be in a stupid contest. But this 'people can't be expected to think for themselves in this busy, crazy world so someone else is always to blame when something tragic happens' has GOT TO STOP.
The references to her likely being a strugling,single mom too busy to watch the news was just straight up weak. Playing the kid card is pathetic,too. Not saying that you are weak or pathetic, but that those comments are so ridiculous I have to think this woman must remind you a lot of yourself in some way for you to be grasping at straws like that. I really fear for a culture where somebody has to get sued for being tacky.

Mira · January 18th, 2007, 12:41 PM

That was me who said that, and it's not a weak argument at all. And I wasn't implying that people cannot be expected to think for themselves in this busy world so that someone else is always to blame.

I said there will likely be some degree of liability. I said it from my long experience in the insurance and legal fields.

That's a helluva lot different.

pacific breeze · January 18th, 2007, 12:43 PM

I would think if a person had children, they would be even more aware of safety concerns.

Mira · January 18th, 2007, 12:45 PM

Unfortunately there was bad judgment on both sides of this issue. The radio station and the woman. That's why it will likely be contributory negligence on both parts.

chavah81 · January 18th, 2007, 02:22 PM

Ok speaking from experience from someone who does not watch the news that much and did not know you can die from drinking to much water... I think these radio station pr**** should be held somewhat accountable. They sat there making jokes about the fact you can die from this type of contest. What a bunch of arseholes. Just because they signed a waver dosent mean they didnt know HOW serious the risks were. With the attitudes these people had they probably handed it to them saying "It is very unlikely for this to happen." Instead of taking it serious. Such a sad story.

Mira · January 18th, 2007, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chavah81

Just because they signed a waver doesnt mean they didnt know HOW serious the risks were. They probably handed it to them saying "It is very unlikely for this to happen."

That's probably exactly what happened. And why there will likely be liability.

crumpet · January 18th, 2007, 02:47 PM

"It is very unlikely for this to happen."
Well, it was unlikely....no one lese died, did they? It doesn't matter what the stats are, though, if it happens to you it happens 100% Who pays attention to all the potential side effects listed on the prescrition meds pimped out on tv?

burnt_toast · January 18th, 2007, 03:05 PM

All I can think of are the contests that we did when I worked at the radio station in college - and thank god no one died. We did some crazy and fundamentally stupid shit...and there was no end to the willingness of people to do the stunts, or any hesitation to sign the disclaimer. Stupid people will do anything for a measly prize.

I would be surprised if their legal department wasn't aware of the contest, our legal dept had to review and approve everything we did, they drafted the disclaimers, etc.

chavah81 · January 18th, 2007, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crumpet

"It is very unlikely for this to happen."
Well, it was unlikely....no one lese died, did they? It doesn't matter what the stats are, though, if it happens to you it happens 100% Who pays attention to all the potential side effects listed on the prescrition meds pimped out on tv?

Was unllikely? what about the college kid they talked about that died from the same thing??? You dont mess around with something like that. Yeah noone else died but it is still something that should NOT be taken lightly for pete sake. One person losing their life should be enough for somebody to prevent it from happening again and the radio station did not give a sh**.

Elise · January 18th, 2007, 03:37 PM

I don't think that 2 people dying from the same thing makes it very common at all. I think it is highly unlikely that someone would die from drinking too much water.

I also thought it was common sense that one could die if they drank too much water.