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

[Mira]

What I'm wanting to know now is whether the attorneys for the family are going to pray for punitive damages. Those are hard to get and hedgy to ask for in the first place, but some juries are very sympathetic and will award them.

Whether the prevailing party can actually collect them is another matter (challenge).

[Sojiita]

Originally Posted by Lobelia

Plenty of stupidity, all round.

That sums it up pretty well.

[Grimmlok]

Originally Posted by SweetPea

She didn't win the Wii but instead opted for tickets to the Justin Timberlake concert because she couldn't go on anymore.

timberlake's show would have been dead enough, thanks.

[pacific breeze]

People risked their lives for tickets to a Timberland concert? Now I've heard everything.

I wouldn't accept those tickets even if someone tried to give them to me for free.

[Dean James]

Originally Posted by moomies

I heard some snipets of the convo from the radio show on Inside Edition tonight. A couple of nurses I think called in to warn about water intoxication and they were laughed off by the DJ(s). They said the contestants signed legal disclaimers so it wouldn't be their fault like it would be a joke if someone died. And also this lady that died, she told them she wasn't feeling so well but they still didn't stop her. Hearing all this on TV today made me think the radio station prolly does hold some responsibility and they really were careless.

I caught that too and it was so disturbing how the DJs were like, 'yeah don't worry, that's why we had them sign release forms.' Like that absolves them.

[Mr. Authority]

It should'nt matter what the release forms say. THe Djs were irresonsible for ignoring warnings from the nurses that called in, therefor it's their fucking fault for being careless pricks.

[MrsMarsters]

Sure stupid contest, but what the hell was she thinking, was she completely BRAIN DEAD? And what idiot thought of this contest to begin with? Oh..I know a great idea for another contest..pouring gasoline over yourself, and lighting a godamn match. Brillant contest, and brillant woman..it's sad..but hey both parties are at fault.

[Dean James]

If they wanted to have people hold their pee for a Wii, have the contestants drink the same amount of water and WAIT. No need to flood their bodies with water, just see who's bladder can hold out the longest. (although that's probably a whole other medical issue)

[Egolita]

Originally Posted by MrsMarsters

Sure stupid contest, but what the hell was she thinking, was she completely BRAIN DEAD?

she pretty much was at the end.

i think because it was a radio station contest, alot of the contestants probably assumed that what they were doing was somewhat safe. you would think a big corporation like that would know what they were doing. and they seemed to assure the contestants that they would just 'puke' when they had enough. people are trusting like that. it's stupid i suppose.

i hope they all get charged though. letting people lay on the floor practically dying in front of them and egging them on is sick. it's like laughing at someone who has stabbed themselves and is slowly bleeding. how could they not realize how sick these people were especially after people had called in warning them that someone could die as a result? what were they thinking???!!!

[Mira]

Thank you for putting it so well, Egolita.

This case boils down to two rabid sides, as usual.

On the one hand, some people say that the dead woman and the other contestants undertook the contest having signed a release and supposedly knowing the dangers and therefore did what is called assumption of the risk (there will be other claims made by the defense as well).
(Not necessarily valid or defensible, IMO.)

On the other hand, people say that the corporation, the radio sation and the dj's should have known the mortal danger and known when to stop. This is the contributory negligence side. There will be other claims made by the prosecution as well.
(All valid and actionable, IMO.)

[twitchy]

Lo! The lawsuit has begun. The Smoking Gun has details:

http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive...25073wii1.html

[Mira]

Just saw the press conference. The plaintiff's lawyer is fantastic. A very articulate "go for the jugular vein" type. I'm pleased.

[Honey]

Family of mother who died after drinking seven litres of water in radio contest for Nintendo Wii awarded £10m

The family of a woman who died after drinking seven litres of water in a radio contest have won £10million compensation.
Mother of three Jennifer Strange died of acute water intoxication in January 2007 after the challenge to see which contestant could drink the most water without going to the toilet.
Ms Strange is believed to have drunk nearly 7.5 litres trying to win a Nintendo Wii video game system.


Tragic: Jennifer Strange died after drinking seven litres of water trying to win a Nintendo Wii video game system

A California jury decided that Entercom Sacramento, operator of KDNDFM radio, was liable for the 28-year-old's death after ignoring warnings, given during the contest by a show host and a listener, that it could have fatal consequences.
The station fired 10 employees after the death, but argued during the trial that Ms Strange should have known the contest could be dangerous.
Twenty people tried to drink the most without going to the lavatory in "Hold Your Wee for a Wii".
She initially joked on air that she "looked pregnant again" but later complained of an upset stomach and headache.
She was sick immediately after the competition - in which she came second - before heading home. She was found dead that afternoon.
Water intoxication can happen when the body's normal balance is altered by a rapid intake of water. The brain can swell, so it no longer regulates breathing.
Entercom spokesman Charles Sipkins said: "Jennifer Strange's death was a tragedy. Our hearts go out to all of her loved ones, including her husband and children."

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1224051/Wee-For-Wii-water-drinking-contest-death-Jennifer-Stranges-family-awarded-10m.html#ixzz0VWBNRzTQ

[fgg]

i had no idea the damage you could do to yourself by drinking excessive amounts of water until i did it. at work in 2003, my superiors challenged my three coworkers and me to drink a gallon of water in 1 hr. i usually don't drink anywhere near that much water so quickly and i can't even describe how painful it was. it felt like my brain was detached and my eyes were literally floating. i had to throw up and eat food to get myself on the path back to normal.

[AliceInWonderland]

OMG! YOU'RE SO LUCKY YOU DIDN'T GET BRAIN DAMAGE OR DIE! nothing in excess is ever a good idea.

that is way too much money to be awarded to them for this imo.