In the State of Louisiana with their Napoleonic laws, the plaintiff’s attorney was probably on the scene within minutes. There is probably no telling how many allegations he will make in the suit including stress, loss of consortium, can’t work, can’t sleep and wanting pain and suffering out the kazoo. The motel does not carry enough limits for this kind of thing.
Apparently, you don’t have much experience with the Louisiana judicial system. People down there carry their attorney’s card in their wallet and there is a call made immediately at the first sign of an accident. These attorneys can browbeat a settlement out of an adjustor in a heartbeat because the companies don’t want the defense costs. They say, what will it take to make this go away and who do I make the check out to?
There must have been slim pickings down in the swamp for this creature to come up to the motel looking for food. It is a good thing there wasn’t a child involved or it could have been tragic.
Actually, it said the guest tried to catch it before animal control got there to subdue it. The question is, did it bite him and then he tried to catch it or did he try to catch it and it bit him. The Alligator may have a case of harassment against the guest. In any case, the guest was stupid to take on a 6′ long alligator. I would give it a very wide berth and call 911.
a 6-foot gator is about 3 feet of tail, and 2 feet for the body, so the head would only be about 1 foot, leaving maybe 4-6 inches for the mouth. Not something to mess around with, but catchable nonetheless.
If there was a bone that broke the gators tooth, he may be able to recover under the liability. If he got sick and needed care, an attorney could get pain and suffering, loss of consortium etc.
Clearly, the hotel is liable for failing to warn guests that alligators are wild animals who bite and that failure to avoid them may result in serious bodily injury or death.
Alterntive theory: hotel is liable for failure to warn guests that (a) stupidity is a capital offense and (b) they have plenty of opportunities to lose their stays of execution.
What would the guest do with a 6ft Alligator? I’m sure the GL carrier will pay the medical bill and law suit that will follow.
In the State of Louisiana with their Napoleonic laws, the plaintiff’s attorney was probably on the scene within minutes. There is probably no telling how many allegations he will make in the suit including stress, loss of consortium, can’t work, can’t sleep and wanting pain and suffering out the kazoo. The motel does not carry enough limits for this kind of thing.
Good luck with that claim. These companies are like crime ‘they don’t pay”!
Apparently, you don’t have much experience with the Louisiana judicial system. People down there carry their attorney’s card in their wallet and there is a call made immediately at the first sign of an accident. These attorneys can browbeat a settlement out of an adjustor in a heartbeat because the companies don’t want the defense costs. They say, what will it take to make this go away and who do I make the check out to?
Hopefully the Hotel’s Risk Manager will do their job and install “Please don’t feed the alligator” signs to prevent further incidents.
…and the gator was thinking “hmmmm. Tastes like chicken…”
There must have been slim pickings down in the swamp for this creature to come up to the motel looking for food. It is a good thing there wasn’t a child involved or it could have been tragic.
in the article it states the guest tried to subdue it before animal control got there. wouldn’t this release the hotel from liability?
Actually, it said the guest tried to catch it before animal control got there to subdue it. The question is, did it bite him and then he tried to catch it or did he try to catch it and it bit him. The Alligator may have a case of harassment against the guest. In any case, the guest was stupid to take on a 6′ long alligator. I would give it a very wide berth and call 911.
a 6-foot gator is about 3 feet of tail, and 2 feet for the body, so the head would only be about 1 foot, leaving maybe 4-6 inches for the mouth. Not something to mess around with, but catchable nonetheless.
It’s about time Super 8 provided some in-house entertainment!!
Darn! Me and Crock O’Dyle thought the sign said “Super Eat”!
Best post I have seen in IJ in a long time.
Damn the torpedoes and pass the hot sauce! I’m goin back for seconds!
I WONDER IF SUPER 8 HAS DENTAL COVERAGE FOR THE ALLIGATOR?
If there was a bone that broke the gators tooth, he may be able to recover under the liability. If he got sick and needed care, an attorney could get pain and suffering, loss of consortium etc.
Darwin was at work here just didn’t send a big enough gator….
Danger, danger, danger!
Clearly, the hotel is liable for failing to warn guests that alligators are wild animals who bite and that failure to avoid them may result in serious bodily injury or death.
Alterntive theory: hotel is liable for failure to warn guests that (a) stupidity is a capital offense and (b) they have plenty of opportunities to lose their stays of execution.