Death after water drinking contest:

[OtterXO]

Originally Posted by DeltAlum

This quote from the Miami Herald article would seem to bolster Kevin's opinion...

"Two years ago a 21-year-old fraternity pledge at California State University, Chico, died after a night of hazing during which he drank excessive amounts of water. Four members of the fraternity later pleaded guilty to charges including involuntary manslaughter."

Hazing incident v. radio station contest. Two very different things, in my opinion. I wonder if they had the contestants sign some sort of release prior to entering. It'll be interesting to see how this progresses.

[CutiePie2000]

I'm not excusing the radio station at ALL, but wouldn't the contest participants have to sign a waiver or something?

Paging the lawyer types....

[OtterXO]

Originally Posted by CutiePie2000

I'm not excusing the radio station at ALL, but wouldn't the contest participants have to sign a waiver or something?

Paging the lawyer types....

That's what I think too. I would be really surprised if the risk management/legal counsel didn't make the station have all contestants sign a waiver/release. I don't know if it would prevent any legal action by the deceased woman's family, but it would probably minimize some of the damages awarded at the very least.

I don't know why but this reminds me of the infamous "Bum Fights".... it's amazing what people will do for money or, in this case, a video game console.

[Tom Earp]

Now, while it can become bad press, I would imagine that they signed a waver for being stupid and liability.

But nothing has come up about this?

[Kevin]

Those types of waivers aren't always effective, especially if the defendant's conduct rises to the level of criminal conduct.

[OtterXO]

Originally Posted by Kevin

Those types of waivers aren't always effective, especially if the defendant's conduct rises to the level of criminal conduct.

Agreed, no one said the phantom waiver/release would be iron clad if it does exist. But it would make the situation a little more interesting.

[UGAalum94]

I certainly wouldn't put wikipedia up against Kevin's real law education, but I tend to think that the circumstances in the hazing case and the radio stadion situation are going to me more different that they might seem at first.

[jon1856]

Originally Posted by OtterXO

Hazing incident v. radio station contest. Two very different things, in my opinion. I wonder if they had the contestants sign some sort of release prior to entering. It'll be interesting to see how this progresses.

Read the links-at least one of them talks about releases.
And having worked for an insurance company: We loved having Hold Harmless for us, but thought nothing about having them against us either.

This morning on a local station the two DJ's were talking about this and started to remember a problem that they almost had during a promo.

For several years, a listener would win a run though a bank vault which was filled with new bills of all amounts. Had a few minutes to take what they could out.

Now what could happen? Well, it seems one winner started to feel a bit weak and they thought he was going to collapse from exhaustion..

[jon1856]

A few more links:
Another water death

OK, LET'S GET THIS straight: Drinking too much water at one time can be deadly. One would think that we had learned that lesson with the tragic 2005 death of 21-year-old Matthew Carrington, but apparently not everyone did....:
http://www.contracostatimes.com/mld/...s/16470317.htm

Water drinking death contest show taken off air

Fatality over Wii to be investigated......:

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/01...death_off_air/

Woman dies after water-drinking contest


By Ryan Lillis
The Sacramento Bee
Jan. 15, 2007 12:29 PM

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - A 28-year-old mother of three died from water intoxication hours after competing in a radio station contest to see which contestant could drink the most water without urinating, according to preliminary autopsy results released........Strange's death comes nearly two years after a 21-year-old fraternity pledge at California State University, Chico, died after a night of strenuous exercise and excessive water drinking. Four members of the fraternity later pleaded guilty in connection with his death.
One member of the fraternity eventually pleaded guilty to felony involuntary manslaughter and misdemeanor hazing, two pleaded guilty to being accessories to manslaughter and hazing, and a fourth pleaded guilty to hazing.
http://www.azcentral.com/news/articl...eath15-ON.html