CHICAGO (Reuters) – A woman is suing a Chicago-area zoo for a 2008 fall near a dolphin exhibit, accusing zookeepers of encouraging the mammals to splash water and then failing to protect spectators from wet surfaces, local media reported on Thursday.

In her suit filed earlier this week, Allecyn Edwards said she was injured while walking near an exhibit at Brookfield Zoo, where a group of Atlantic bottlenose dolphins were performing, media said.

Officials "recklessly and willfully trained and encouraged the dolphins to throw water at the spectators in the stands, making the floor wet and slippery," but failed to post warning signs or lay down protective mats or strips, the suit said, according to the reports.

Edwards is demanding more than $50,000 for lost wages, medical expenses and emotional trauma from the Chicago Zoological Society and the Forest Preserve District of Cook County, which operate the zoo in Chicago's southwest suburbs.

The suit was filed in Illinois' Circuit Court of Cook County.

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I tell ya... it's getting more and more embarrassing to live in Cook County all the time. Ugh.

Wow. Just wow.

That's the Brookfield Zoo, and I've seen the dolphin show. As I recall, not only are there signs to indicate you'll get wet and the floors may be slippery, the benches and floor are painted a different color to make it clear where the "splash zone" is, AND I recall them announcing that you could move out of the areas or in to the areas if you wanted or didn't want to get wet because my nephew wanted us to move into the splash zone!

Really? I think the judges need to throw these frivilous law suits out of court.

Emotional trauma? Seriously? The word pathetic comes to mind.

The "emotional trauma" comes from the dophins giving her that "come hither" look.

Oh! Now that makes more sense.

Some people are so asinine.

Throw the frivolous ones out, and charge the person bringing the frivolous suit with court costs.

Something seems quite tainted about this lawsuit.

Amen to that! A few idiots have the potential to ruin a good time for the masses...it just irks all heck out of me to see something like this!

The National Aquarium in Baltimore have the same kinds of signs and warnings.

This is my oldest daughter's dream is to be a marine bioligist and train either dolphins or orcas. She has told me she really wants to move to San Antonio and work at Sea World. Right now her college of choice is the University of Maryland. Now I just need enought time to save up because she is smart enough to do it. If she moves to Texas I'm coming with her.

The one thing I'd like to see in terms of legal reform is this:

If you sue, and lose, you pay defendant's costs to defend. I think that would cut down on frivolous lawsuits like this.

Shame on the attorney that took this case too!

Yes, we all know that there's no water at an aquarium, right????!!!!! What a nut case! She should be banned for life from Sea World and all other such places.

Joker and FBH, I couldn't agree more. It's just getting out of hand what people will think up to sue. But I guess it keeps lawyers and judges employed...

I think what you'll see next is someone suing a ski resort because there are trees on the mountain and it probably causes someone distress. You know?

<---- Gonna be a bit of downer here, but.....

"Officials "recklessly and willfully trained and encouraged the dolphins to throw water at the spectators in the stands, making the floor wet and slippery," [color:#3366FF]that is a major part of the show [/color] but failed to post warning signs or lay down protective mats or strips, the suit said, according to the reports."

As crazy as this is, IF and it's a big IF, IF They Did Not Post Signs, unfortunately, they will most likely be held accountable. Yes, we all know to be careful, but in today's litigious atmosphere, you gotta do it, or else.....

Don't you know that people need to be protected from themselves? People are no longer able to accertain how potentially dangerous a situation may be and must rely on others to keep them safe at all times and at all costs. They can no longer be held accountable for their own actions or stupidity. Everytime I hear about someone suing another due to their own carelssness it makes me:

Why, oh why, would you serve me HOT coffee???

I shoulda sued when I tripped in the parking lot, slipped on ice, tripped over a crack in a sidewalk, I coulda sued my son for cutting me off on his bike so I took a header...

Oh, and my mother for breaking my finger...

^^

And what, force the parent company of Tanqueray into bankruptcy?

Sad - but I bet there are many out there who would


A few years ago I tripped on a curb at a hotel. I got a nasty cut on my nose, that healed fine, and damaged my glasses. The hotels insurance company called me the next day, and insisted on paying to replace the glasses and wanted me to see a doctor for the cut, which I refused. I was happy for the new glasses.