Alcoholic sues Marriott after falling over a stairway while plowed

Michael Fenton went on a two-day bender at the Marco Island Marriott Resort and Spa last January and plunged over a stairway some 100 feet. Now, he’s suing the hotel for serving an addict and causing his brain damage. (Naples Daily News)

Comments

[cherie]

Another story about someone blaming someone else for their own stupidity....amazing.
I was having a conversation with some Harley riding friends of mine yesterday (Ohio doesn't have a manditory helmet law) and while they're all for their right to ride without a helmet...I explained to them that as a responsible vehicle operator...I dont want to be in an accident with a helmetless motorcycle rider...frankly I could care less if their brains get strewn across the pavement, but even if the accident wasn't my fault, the likelihood that someone in their family would sue me for every damn cent I'll ever make is a HUGE possibility, so until we clean up our judicial system and put this type of crap off the books...we have to create all types of laws to protect the stupid from themselves. Completely going against Darwinism...and of course, the more we protect the stupid and reward stupid behavior the more stupid people survive to procreate...the dumber our society becomes.

[G-Man]

It sounds like he was already brain damaged. Maybe the fall will make him better.

[sometimesilie]

sounds like he's got brain damage for sure. Too bad the fall didn't take care of him- now he's everyone's headache!

[Jim]

"we have to create all types of laws to protect the stupid from themselves. Completely going against Darwinism...and of course, the more we protect the stupid and reward stupid behavior the more stupid people survive to procreate...the dumber our society becomes."

Well said Cherie, its sad but ture!

[Jim]

"true"

[mydogFoster]

Jim,
Off topic, but how much longer for "Meet Your Meat"? Not sure how much control you have over it, but please make it go away. It worked, I'm disgusted.

[elchampino]

While I'm having a hard time finding sympathy for Mr. Alcohol and Stairs Don't Mix, I do want to know why the bartender thought it would be a good idea to keep serving this guy considering the laws and circumstances. I guess it being a hotel, they're a little more used to serving people who are obviously intoxicated because they know they only have to stumble back to their rooms, not get behind the wheel.

I guess I'd say while the bartender made a bad judgment call, ultimately, you gotta be responsible for yourself.

[RockyMtnMac]

I refuse to beat up the bar or the bartender for an adults personal stupidity.
In the court of RMM, the verdict is that he should be thrown over the stairwell again, without alcohol to numb the pain (he IS an addict you know)

[Jim Romenesko]

A couple more weeks of "Meet Your Meat." Current contract ends March 3.

[sometimesilie]

yeah, I'm disgusted by that ad too, so guess they got their point across. Factory farming is cruel and inhumane. I do know where to go around here and gladly pay a little more for locally raised (i.e. not mass factory farmed) meat. One butcher has been in business for 70 years and it's a hike up the road, but they come out and meet my dog and bring him treats when I roll up.

[Dick C. Normas]

Im a drunken dumbass... I fell down and hurt myself... boo hoo ho. Give me money for being a drunken idiot.

[Bill B.]

Mydogfoster,

If you are using Firefox as your browser, you can download AdBlock Plus, a nifty program that removes offensive ad images. The ad is still there to read, but the image is gone.

[Sigh]

I am glad you have sponsors Jim. Apparently their ad is having the impact that they wanted.

As for PETA, though, they can meet my meat : )

What meat?

[Sigh]

I was wondering how you fall 'over a stairway' as they say in the article. He fell over a railing.

“A building couldn’t have been approved if it didn’t meet code,” Wardle added.

What?! I would agree that a building "shouldn't" have been approved, but inspectors can't catch everything. If the railing is not up to code, then the hotel is in trouble, for sure. Doesn't sound like they are, however.

[troschne]

Forgive me for not being able to muster up a tear for this jerkoff, but if it was the same bartender, and the family had asked him previously to stop serving him, that's pretty lame, as well...

[cherie]

In regards to the bartender taking responsibility argument. I've bartended on and off for over 20 yrs. Many times I've worked in larger establishments that have 3 or more bartenders. Depending on how busy you are, you can refuse a customer only to have them wander up to another bartender or flag a waitress and order a drink anyway. Short of actually throwing a patron out...its hard to control how many drinks they have.

[Dellos]

This won't have happened if Mr whiskey shits just spent his vacation money socking his house with booze and stayed home and got loaded. As it seems to me that is how he spent his vacation anyway. I feel sorry the rest of the family for having a moron relative.

[USMerc]

Oh, hell....It's too damned early in the morning for this!!!! First the Spanish story, then this....I think I'll go home and go back to bed.....

[MONKEY JERK]

I AM SURE THEY WILL BE A FAULT SOMEHOW

[nellagain]

There are many aspects worthy of discussion here but this is Heaven's 17 favorite (split decision)

"The Daily News called more than a dozen Michael Fenton’s statewide, but could not locate the injured man."

What a conversation to have!

"HI there, are you Michael Fenton? Are you Michael Fenton the lush who drank for 48 hours and fell over a stairrail and is now brain damaged and will be pooping his pants the rest of his life? Oh, you're not? But you think it might be your dad?....Fine fine, put him on the line....."

[Elle B]

Another entitled idiot. As a former Naples native, it doesn't surprise me. I'd be interested to follow up on the verdict of this story.

[RockyMtnMac]

PETA's message is a one sided, narrow minded attempt at getting you to do as they say and not as they do. Everytime I see a PETA ad, shirt, bumper sticker, or any other type of propaganda, I go straight for the red meat. If they cared about animals in any way they would cut out the BS lies, stop spending money on freezers to store the dead bodies of the pets they euthanized ("Better Dead then be Pets" is their REAL agenda), and actually help by getting involved with stopping the illegal trade and smuggling of exotic animals. That is too much work for these spoiled rotten trust fund brats, so they would rather attack domestic agriculture. What a load of cr@p. Take your spokesb!tches from Hollywood and get your pampered little a$$es down to Mexico and take on the bull fighting. Do something abut the poachers in Africa. Show me how you care PETA!
Whew!
*stepping down from Merc's soapbox*

I frickin hate PETA

[troymansf]

Yet another example of self-victimization and a lack of accountability. So these family members who offered up "pleas" that the bartender supposedly ignored... why didn't they drag the self-admitted addict to his room instead? If he was clearly and obviously intoxicated, why didn't they accompany him to the bathroom -- at least to the door -- to ensure that he didn't injure himself? Isn't that what you do with a friend or family member who has had too much? Some people...

[Harry Eagar]

Is this guy suing his family for not taking him home? Is the hotel suing the family for not taking him home?

[USMerc]

He's a waste of oxygen...These folks who have this over developed sense of entitlement all need to be taken to a slaughter house and be ground up for fertilizer. And RMM, you can use my soapbox anytime! (As I devour another piece of yummy dead cow.)

[Reno]

Yum, dead cow... I can't wait for lunch! I would like to start with this piece right here ~~~~~>

[USMerc]

Yes, Reno, that one sure does look yummy!! Cooked just the way I like it!!!! Barely!!!!!mmmmmmmm

that steak looks really really good.

when 2-day benders are outlawed, only outlaws will have 2-day benders.

[Reno]

Me too! Just warm it up a little and I'll eat it up. Delicious!

[Openeyed]

When an inebriated alcoholic commits any crime - be it murder, robbery, battery - the alcoholic is held responsible for ALL crimes as a 'normal' person in the eyes of the law.
When an alcoholic drives around drunk the consequences can get quite severe, especially after getting multiple DWI's. Not to mention they will get the largest sentences after committing vehicular manslaughter, accidents, or whatever involving a vehicle.
In the eyes of the law, the alcoholic is responsible for his misdeeds in a criminal context, so why would the bartender be at any way responsible for the mans misdeeds in any way in a civil context? he's just going the get screwed up anyhow, and for cheaper if he just went around the block to the liquor store!
Also, I know a bit about construction and I believe that his fall could have not been more than twelve feet at the most. I also have been a rock climber and it is well known that the 'death zone' for a fall is 50 feet, at over 100 feet he would have been toast, period.
I believe this is just another example of someone trying to take advantage of of our nations civil suit process. It sounds like a set-up from the beginning.

[RockyMtnMac]

I like my steak cooked so that a good veterinarian could get it back on it's feet!

[USMerc]

Just show it a match as it runs by!

[twerp]

who the hell put that stairway there....it wasn't there a second ago....damn hotels and their remodeling.

[Phantom]

RockyMtnMac, I have a friend who lives by the Bull ring in Tiajuana, on a visit in Oct. of 2007 he took me to a bullfight (the first one to be held there in a few years). Not really my idea of fun, but the crowd was something to behold, they treated this as the return of something sacred . Drank lots of cerveza, had some tacos, and really enjoyed myself. But, like I said didnt much care for the bullfighting.

[sometimesilie]

How come none of these lush's are ever looking to pay out any money to bartender's etc. when they successfully complete some lucrative transaction (business deal, lottery, etc.) while hammered? I call Shenanigans!

[docray]

Two words for the whole sue-happy world: GET REAL

and for PETA; check your teeth, you have incisors, you were born a predator. Deal with it and stop hurting people.

[NitroPress]

myDogFoster and others: Firefox. AdBlock. Ad and distraction free surfing. Nuf sed.

[RockyMtnMac]

Yeah Phantom - 50 Mexicans -vs- 1 Injured Bull with PETA nowhere in sight... I have zero respect for them.
I have family that raise cattle, and they have done a heck of a lot more to stop the bull fights than PETA ever has.

[zombie00x]

Can I sue both his and his lawyer's mothers for not aborting them?

[chilly]

wow! I didn't kno u could sue, when you're intoxicated, this guy is the luckiest jackass in the world

[buy fioricet online]

that was a sad news..is it true?