Legal Lessons

A Whale of a Lawsuit 

Back in 1999, Patricia and Michael Dukes filed suit in Orlando, Florida against Sea World. They sued for millions of dollars for the loss of their only son, Daniel, age 27. The man was found naked and dead, draped across the back of a killer whale at Sea World Orlando. Daniel was a drifter, whose cause of death was apparently drowning.

In the suit against the marine park, plaintiffs alleged that the dangerous Orca was portrayed as a huggable stuffed toy. Attorney Patricia Sigman said Sea World is legally liable because it portrayed the killer whale as human-loving, gentle and huggable. Actually though, it appears that the killer whale's playfulness killed the man.

Sea World general manager Vic Abbey pledged that the park would vigorously fight the lawsuit.

It was not long until the park was vindicated of the trespasser's family's claims.

"They voluntarily dismissed the lawsuit," Sea World executive vice president and general manager Vic Abbey said. "This was a very tragic accident that occurred, but as we've said all along we felt the lawsuit had no merit."

It comes as no surprise to anyone that heavy intoxication apparently contributed to this untimely event in the death of this trespasser.