Kilpatrick and the co-defendant in the case, the Uninsured Employers’ Fund, contended that Hopkins should not be eligible for workers’ compensation for those injuries because he was a volunteer acting outside of his duties and was not a paid employee.
Kilpatrick acknowledged giving money to Hopkins but it was given randomly and “out of my heart,” the owner told the court.
And now he’s paying the medical bills “Out of his wallet”
well, this was a privately run/funded park but allowed tourist to pay to enter and see these fabulous animals. he worked the gate and then proceeded to feed the bears but instead the bears were not like yogi and thought the person carrying the picinic basket (basket did not have the smoking dope) was the meal instead this time around. LOL! this should make sure that any employment of any kind even if by volunteer should help with medical bills. afterall, your asking folks to risk their own lives to help preserve some of natures wonderful creatures at the expense of a public willing to pay to see.
This jackass should have been eaten. What if his doobie high affected his judgment and contributed to his injuries? Why does everyone want to overlook peoples own stupidity and give them money for being an idiot. Hopefully, the park fired his dumb _ss.
maybe the employee was paid in the form of pot… who knows… it is sad though because it makes it sound like it is ok to smoke and work… to each their own, but not at the risk of safety… that is to be dumb…
These types of cases may become more prevalent because of the relaxing of anti-marijuana laws. I’m curious to know if Joy would change here attitude if the person in question smoked the marijuana with the permission of a doctor. What if instead of marijuana, he took a pain pill or allergy medication?
Whatever high Hopkins had probably had worn off in the two hours he was on the gate. Clearly Kilpatrick is a dead beat himself. Obviously he did not have workers compensation insurance, hence the Uninsured Employers Fund as a defendant. This judge could clearly see the real picture. Kilpatrick was trying to get away with not having insurance and not having to pay the bill. Not gonna fly with this judge.
“It is not as if this attack occurred when Hopkins inexplicably wandered into the grizzly pen while searching for the nearest White Castle.”
I think this the funniest thing I have ever read in a legal decision.
Maybe the bear got some of the MJ also, and it was just a case of the “munchies”!
Unbelievable…!
Agreed. Classic line. I’m still laughing, after shooting coffee through my nose after reading that line.
I liked this line too, “There is a term of art used to describe the regular exchange of money for favors — it is called ’employment,'”
Future Judge Judy replacement.
Kilpatrick and the co-defendant in the case, the Uninsured Employers’ Fund, contended that Hopkins should not be eligible for workers’ compensation for those injuries because he was a volunteer acting outside of his duties and was not a paid employee.
Kilpatrick acknowledged giving money to Hopkins but it was given randomly and “out of my heart,” the owner told the court.
And now he’s paying the medical bills “Out of his wallet”
well, this was a privately run/funded park but allowed tourist to pay to enter and see these fabulous animals. he worked the gate and then proceeded to feed the bears but instead the bears were not like yogi and thought the person carrying the picinic basket (basket did not have the smoking dope) was the meal instead this time around. LOL! this should make sure that any employment of any kind even if by volunteer should help with medical bills. afterall, your asking folks to risk their own lives to help preserve some of natures wonderful creatures at the expense of a public willing to pay to see.
Maybe Dude thought if he wore his Chicago football jersey he could like be…invisible!
Instead, the residents thought he was a leg of lamb. Or maybe a keilbasa.
Ditka could have taken care of ALL the bears. DA Bears.
Shhhhhh….. dude your harshing my mellow….
This jackass should have been eaten. What if his doobie high affected his judgment and contributed to his injuries? Why does everyone want to overlook peoples own stupidity and give them money for being an idiot. Hopefully, the park fired his dumb _ss.
Was this guy a cash only paid only person? Perhaps the employer was paying cash (under the table) to avoid employee taxes, Workers Comp, etc????
maybe the employee was paid in the form of pot… who knows… it is sad though because it makes it sound like it is ok to smoke and work… to each their own, but not at the risk of safety… that is to be dumb…
These types of cases may become more prevalent because of the relaxing of anti-marijuana laws. I’m curious to know if Joy would change here attitude if the person in question smoked the marijuana with the permission of a doctor. What if instead of marijuana, he took a pain pill or allergy medication?
Whatever high Hopkins had probably had worn off in the two hours he was on the gate. Clearly Kilpatrick is a dead beat himself. Obviously he did not have workers compensation insurance, hence the Uninsured Employers Fund as a defendant. This judge could clearly see the real picture. Kilpatrick was trying to get away with not having insurance and not having to pay the bill. Not gonna fly with this judge.