Facts

The accident occurred on Feb. 17, 2005 at the Nissan Open, a yearly PGA golf tournament held at the Riviera Country Club. Plaintiff Alain Debellefuille claimed that as he was observing play at or around the second hole green, defendant Edwin Steidle fell to the ground and rolled onto his foot. The plaintiff alleged that defendants were responsible for Steidle's fall due to the dangerous condition of the golf course terrain. The defendants disputed plaintiff's allegations that the accident was attributable in any manner to an unsafe condition at or around the second hole green. The plaintiff claimed general negligence and premises liability.

PLAINTIFF'S CONTENTIONS:
The plaintiff contended that the second hole green was an unreasonable condition due to claims of wet grass, steep slope and crowd control. As a result, Steidle lost his balance and made contact with plaintiff, which in turn resulted in the fracture of plaintiff's left ankle.

DEFENDANTS' CONTENTIONS:
The defendants dispute that the second hole green was an unsafe condition at the time of the accident. The defendants asserted that the grass was dry, the slopes at the second hole green were well within industry standards and there were no crowd control issues. The defendants argued that in the last 16 years, there had not been a single complaint regarding the second hole green.

Damages

Plaintiff sought $200,000 at the time of trial for medical expenses, pain and suffering, and loss of earnings.

Injuries

The plaintiff sustained a serious fracture to his ankle, which required surgical implantation of a metal plate and screws.

Result

Defense verdict.

Other Information

FILING DATE: March 24, 2006.

Deliberation

one day

Length

five days