Lawsuit : Dominican coconut on tourist

Heard about this on the BBC World's program Outlook, a feature on frivolous lawsuits and compensation payments. Apparently a Dominican coconut had the audacity to fall from a tree on a (female) tourist's chest while sunbathing. She later sued her travel-agency. Is anybody familiar with this case and can elaborate on what really happened ? Also, does anyone know what happened to the coconut after this soft landing ? Quizas licensiado Guzman nos puede ayudar ?

Try this link it briefly explains it
last seen the coconut was under the arm of a shoe shine boy

Goodness, what a terrifying news! People have to understand that Coconut can not think to plan where to fall, so the best would be if people do not sunbathe under the tree. It's obvious that the fruit is going to fall at sometime or another.

But you can certainly make the argument that a prudent resort owner would post a warning for people unfamiliar with coconuts or post the area off limits due to a possible hazard.

It is an "act of God" but the people running the resort must have previous knowledge that this type of injury is likely to happen

Just an argument from the other side :-)

Tom

I was sitting under a coconut tree on the beach several years ago. Thought it was the ideal place to do some reading in the shade. A very polite young Dominican fellow came up and encouraged me to move. I could not understand his Spanish too well but finally thru sign language got the idea about a falling coconut and finally the translation was that I should move because they (the coconuts) have been known to fall spontaneously and depending on where they hit you (like the head) can cause serious damage. I looked about and saw I was the ONLY one brave enough to sit under the tree. I moved. Sure enough a coconut fell from a tree in the area (not mine) but a vivid display of what could happen. Frankly, don't see why the British lady collected on her lawsuit. To me, it was an Act of God, and no one is responsible for that! LOL. What a suit happy generation this has become. They all think it is FREE money. But there is no such thing as a free lunch. Never was.

Ever wonder how many sun loving tourists have parked their rental car under the sombra of coconut trees to keep the car cool while they enjoyed the sun and during that time the car enjoys an Act of God. Then having to return a coconut damaged car to the rental agency. Is the "CDW" clause on the rental form the "coconut damage waiver"? Regards, PJT

You are right, Tom. But I believe that anyone seeing the coconut hanging so high up should predict that anything can happen. I have never had one fall on me, but I'm terrorized of the thought that they might fall and hurt me.

O well, Yes, I suppose the solution is for the Hotel Management to alert their clients.

Regards,

Mercy