Women Dies Trying To Win A Wii

[TR0N]

  http://www.news10.net/display_story.aspx?storyid=23350

I wounder if i should even bother trying.. to find a wii next month 

[Keranu]

I saw this on the news, that was a very stupid contest they held. May as make a contest that's about seeing who can swallow the most pills before overdosing.

[guyjin]

wow. I knew you could die from water poisoning (too much anything will kill you) but I assumed it had to be vast amounts... like several gallons in an hour.

[CrackTiger]

Every few years in the news I hear a story of someone dying or coming close from being forced to drink too much water.

How lame is that radio station, that they brainstormed up a contest based on wee rhyming with Wii. Watch them later say that by signing a waiver anyone should've been prepared for any possibler outcome.

Even though death by drinking too much water isn't common, people getting ill from it is.

The worst part is, she was doing it for her kids, which means that some kids just lost their mother from trying to win them a video game system.

[Keranu]

The worst part is, she was doing it for her kids, which means that some kids just lost their mother from trying to win them a video game system.

Hahaha, so sad but true.

[Seldane]

 

[termis]

Yikes.  I heard about this on the radio couple days ago myself. 

And whoever came up with that radio show contest gotta be in the hot seat right now!  As some of you said, I've also heard of water poisoning myself, so dangerous scenarios would've crossed my mind if I were at a position of responsibility at the radio station, but I guess not everyone's familiar with water being able to harm you.

[NecroPhile]

Wow - doesn't this radio station have a legal department?  No waiver will fully protect them from something that dangerous.  So sad, and all for a $250 game system. 

[Joe Redifer]

So, did she end up winning?

[Keranu]

So, did she end up winning?

Very good question, I wonder if they sent her the Wii. I don't think there were any objections if death were to occure.

[esteban]

So, did she end up winning?

The articles I've read never seem to mention this. I suspect she didn't, which means that the kids don't have a console to remember their mother by -- that's sad.

j/k.

I actually find stories like this pretty depressing.

[CrackTiger]

Do you think that hers kids would still want to touch a Wii after their Mother died trying to win one for them?

[PCEngineHell]

No mom AND no Wii would totally suck ass.
Radio contest are some of the stupidest things I swear.

[PCEngineHell]

If you guys want to check out a cool radio show here:
http://www.coreyandjayshow.com/

Funny video they linked on their site,
http://www.radioearth.com/JapVideo.html ,
as Ive never seen anyone so excited and happy to be "robbed by two men". I could almost lose track of time and watch this thing over and over again for hours,it has a almost brainwashing like theme to it.

[Keranu]

If you guys want to check out a cool radio show here:
http://www.coreyandjayshow.com/

Funny video they linked on their site,
http://www.radioearth.com/JapVideo.html ,
as Ive never seen anyone so excited and happy to be "robbed by two men". I could almost lose track of time and watch this thing over and over again for hours,it has a almost brainwashing like theme to it.

HAHAHAHA! Thanks so much for the video, that was mad hilarious!

[KungFuKid]

If you guys want to check out a cool radio show here:
http://www.coreyandjayshow.com/

Funny video they linked on their site,
http://www.radioearth.com/JapVideo.html ,
as Ive never seen anyone so excited and happy to be "robbed by two men". I could almost lose track of time and watch this thing over and over again for hours,it has a almost brainwashing like theme to it.

That is one of the weirdest, trippiest vids I think I've ever seen! I actually laughed out loud a couple of times! And I know what you mean about the brainwashing!!!! I think I was still staring at the screen for about 20 seconds after the vid finished! lol!

[Keranu]

If you guys want to check out a cool radio show here:
http://www.coreyandjayshow.com/

Funny video they linked on their site,
http://www.radioearth.com/JapVideo.html ,
as Ive never seen anyone so excited and happy to be "robbed by two men". I could almost lose track of time and watch this thing over and over again for hours,it has a almost brainwashing like theme to it.

That is one of the weirdest, trippiest vids I think I've ever seen! I actually laughed out loud a couple of times! And I know what you mean about the brainwashing!!!! I think I was still staring at the screen for about 20 seconds after the vid finished! lol!

Dude it was brainwashing me too! Though I didn't stare the screen when it was over (at least I don't remember doing that), I did start signing the cheesy lines they sang uncontrolably. 

[Joe Redifer]

What the hell is George from Seinfeld doing robbing a Japanese girl?  And shouldn't the lazy policeman speak Japanese?  I say we get another a-bomb ready because that country is messed up!

[Keranu]

And shouldn't the lazy policeman speak Japanese?

Haha, I was wondering the same thing. I also wonder if that policeman understands what the hell that Japanese chick is saying? He tells her to slow down, maybe he thought she just spoke fast English and had a thick far east accent.

I say we get another a-bomb ready because that country is messed up!

Agreed. We're talking about the country that has a town that carries a giant wooden penis through the town ever year, among countless other insane things.

[KungFuKid]

And shouldn't the lazy policeman speak Japanese?

Haha, I was wondering the same thing. I also wonder if that policeman understands what the hell that Japanese chick is saying? He tells her to slow down, maybe he thought she just spoke fast English and had a thick far east accent.

I say we get another a-bomb ready because that country is messed up!

Agreed. We're talking about the country that has a town that carries a giant wooden penis through the town ever year, among countless other insane things.

I think the actual genuine reason for the video may have gone over some people's heads here. I am fairly sure the whole point is for Japanese people going to America if they get robbed or whatever they know what to say in English ie take what you want, spare me my life etc. and how to alert a policeman as to what has happened... The stupid repeating of the lines is to get into peoples heads.... It's not supposed to be in Japan and that's why the people aren't speaking Japanese. Correct me if I'm wrong of course... and spare me my life.... 

[Keranu]

That's a very logical answer, I think you're right.

[NecroPhile]

I'm sure you're right kungfukid, but I laughed anyway.  Now riddle me this batman: why did they zoom in on the girl's shoulder (about 50 seconds in)?

[KungFuKid]

  Hmm, I thought about that long and hard.... and came to the conclusion that they were just a bunch of perverts!!!  Why did they actually need 3 girls in tight shorts and tops at all!!!! haha!!!

[Keranu]

Haha, so I wasn't the only one who thought the shoulder zoom was funny. And yeah, I think the camera man was just being perverted and tried getting a closer shot of that chick's tight outfit.

[termis]

That was just weird, huh?  Well, I can tell you from experience that a lotta Japanese folks perceive a lotta overseas place as the wild-wild-west, especially the U.S.

Just about every Japanese person will also know about a story where an exchange Japanese student got shot trick-or-treating in Halloween.  Some nutjob screamed out "FREEZE!" and when the kid approached the nutjob's house, but the kid heard it as "Please" - and translated as "Please go ahead" in his head.  That's because the Japanese would say something like "Please" (douzo) to give permission to folks to do variety of things.  In English, it'd be something like "Please (fill in the blank)".  Then he ran in the house, and of course, he got shot.

I tell you, EVERYONE in Japan knows this story, and believed that it potentially could've been avoided if he had better grasp of English. 

Reasons like this is probably why videos like this exist -> Just fueling the fear of foreign lands in Japan.

To be fair to the Japanese, I've also come across many other nationalities (Koreans, Brits, Canadians, South Africans, Ozzies) that have the same type of stereotype about the US, though not quite as extreme as the Japanese.  With so much violence you see in Hollywood movies and extreme violence all you hear about in the media, it's not hard to see why.   

Edit: Okay, just did a search on the news, and I got some interesting point that shows the other side of the story, and how the media made this completely one-sided and sensational.
http://www.blogd.com/archives/000124.html

[Dark Fact]

Okay, this has seriously gone off topic but I have to say, that Youtube video seriously had me pondering whether japan is just one big cultural mental asylum?

Oh, by the way, my friend who went to japan said he saw an exercise show that had those same girls speaking english during their exercise routine and was told by his fellow japanese friends that it was one of the worst shows in japan.

And why do we need another A-Bomb? It's crap like this that makes japan so great next to green tea ice cream and anime.

BACK ON TOPIC:

Yeah, it was very unfortunate with what happened to that poor lady.  However, if they've signed a waiver with the radio station, the family can't sue them.  Still, I think the radio station needs to come to some sort of resolve regarding this matter.  We have kids who lost their mother over a Wii console.  If I was the DJ, I'd just give them the Wii and pay additional damages.  Although I'm not legally entitled to, it's still a moral obligation.  Even though the kids will never get their mother back, the radio station has to acknowledge their feelings.

[esteban]

What the hell is George from Seinfeld doing robbing a Japanese girl?

Even more importantly: why has no one mentioned how he is wearing his bandana!!! That was insanely hilarious, whether it was intentional humor or not.

Think about it: if a mugger approached you wearing his bandana like that, wouldn't you be worrying about the countless ways you could be violated by a person who was clearly mentally unstable?

That dude in the video gives competent, sane muggers a bad name.

[NecroPhile]

However, if they've signed a waiver with the radio station, the family can't sue them.

Don't be so sure.  This is the USA, and since when is a valid reason required for suing?  The waiver should help with any civil case, but it will not protect them from criminal proceedings.  No paperwork offers protection from illegal activities (i.e. euthanasia in most states).  Once the radio station is found guilty of criminal action, a civil case is sure to follow.  I agree Dark Fact - the station should pay up even if they don't get sued.

P.S. - Ummmmmm... Green tea ice cream. 

[KungFuKid]

However, if they've signed a waiver with the radio station, the family can't sue them.

Don't be so sure.  This is the USA, and since when is a valid reason required for suing?  The waiver should help with any civil case, but it will not protect them from criminal proceedings.  No paperwork offers protection from illegal activities (i.e. euthanasia in most states).  Once the radio station is found guilty of criminal action, a civil case is sure to follow.  I agree Dark Fact - the station should pay up even if they don't get sued.

P.S. - Ummmmmm... Green tea ice cream. 

Yeah, if negligence on the part of the company has played a part (ie they didn't seek proper medical advice on what they were going to do, or didn't have health and safety permission, or were in breach of health and safety regulations in running the competition, as well as a number of other possibilities), the waiver won't actually make any difference - it is still possible to successfully raise a civil case since a waiver doesn't in any way alter your statutory rights...

[Dark Fact]

Don't be so sure.  This is the USA, and since when is a valid reason required for suing?  The waiver should help with any civil case, but it will not protect them from criminal proceedings.  No paperwork offers protection from illegal activities (i.e. euthanasia in most states).  Once the radio station is found guilty of criminal action, a civil case is sure to follow.  I agree Dark Fact - the station should pay up even if they don't get sued.

P.S. - Ummmmmm... Green tea ice cream.  Drool

I don't know if water drinking contests can even be considered an illegal activity when taken into account that water isn't a harmful substance.  As for reason, you do need one to even consider having taxpayer dollars spent on a court proceeding.  However, validity is in the eye of the attorney.

You haven't tried green tea ice cream yet? Go to any fancy japanese restaurant and order some for dessert.  You'll be hard pressed to find a better ice cream flavour.  

Yeah, if negligence on the part of the company has played a part (ie they didn't seek proper medical advice on what they were going to do, or didn't have health and safety permission, or were in breach of health and safety regulations in running the competition, as well as a number of other possibilities), the waiver won't actually make any difference - it is still possible to successfully raise a civil case since a waiver doesn't in any way alter your statutory rights...

I think since the contest was simply just drinking water, I don't think it would've been in breach of any medical or safety regulations since water chugging deaths are very very rare and are not worth raising red flags over.  As for the waiver, if it specifically stated that the radio can't be held resposible for damages relating to negligence on either side of the party, what is the family gonna do?

But in any case, the family should have a lawyer look over the waiver and spot any loopholes that could get them a chance to fight back in court.

[NecroPhile]

@ Dark Fact:  I've had green tea ice cream before, and it's damn good stuff.  That comment was my pathetic attempt at a Homer Simpson comment.  I guess the drooling smiley didn't translate too well.

Back To Topic:  I saw on MSN that ten employees have been fired from the radio station so far.  It looks like they are trying to limit their liability.  While simply drinking water is not harmful - water intoxication can be dangerous.  Fatalities are rare, but it isn't that uncommon for medical care being given for hyponatremia.  In the article that I read, one of the other contestants stated that she appeared sick.  It's been less than two years since the Chico State student's death, so the radio station should have known that she needed medical attention.  The other side of the coin is that she should have sought medical attention before going home.

[KungFuKid]

@ Dark Fact:  I've had green tea ice cream before, and it's damn good stuff.  That comment was my pathetic attempt at a Homer Simpson comment.  I guess the drooling smiley didn't translate too well.

Back To Topic:  I saw on MSN that ten employees have been fired from the radio station so far.  It looks like they are trying to limit their liability.  While simply drinking water is not harmful - water intoxication can be dangerous.  Fatalities are rare, but it isn't that uncommon for medical care being given for hyponatremia.  In the article that I read, one of the other contestants stated that she appeared sick.  It's been less than two years since the Chico State student's death, so the radio station should have known that she needed medical attention.  The other side of the coin is that she should have sought medical attention before going home.

Yup, you're correct. Even if the waiver did say that you waive the possibility of negligence on either side it doesn't matter - because it would be considered an unfair contract term and thus void. (In the US & UK, the law does not recognise that you can consent to your own harm or danger in negligence cases, it is inferred that you don't consent for a negligent act to be carried out upon you). Plus, as mentioned, in the summer especially hospitals DO get plenty of cases of people who have taken on board too much liquid - it is actually pretty common (although people don't often die). But in a case like this, this sort of competitiion would have to have had a risk analysis done and passed by health and safety before the competition. AND it is entirely forseeable in a water drinking and holding competition (especially one carried out on media such as radio or TV adding to the pressure) that someone might drink enough to become ill! In my eyes (and the eyes of my law degree), that constitutes negligence in allowing the competition to proceed & especially in not having the contestants checked out after it finished - if they had simply had a medical expert check her afterwards when she felt ill, chances are she'd still be alive today.

[Dark Fact]

In that case, what good are waivers at all if people are just gonna sue anyway?

[NecroPhile]

The station's indifference to her welfare is where the problem lies.  She was visably ill (potentially mortally ill) and they let her leave.  Had the radio station taken this woman to the hospital, the waiver would've prevented her from collecting for medical expenses.  It would've also protected them from any claims for soiled clothing, participants 'discomfort', etcetera.  The sad thing is that Gatorade would've solved the problem - full bladders and no electrolyte imbalance.

[KungFuKid]

In that case, what good are waivers at all if people are just gonna sue anyway?

Truth is, companies have to be very careful with waivers. For example, if it was a cake eating contest and somebody choked to death BUT there had been medical assistance available - however they couldn't help and the person died anyway - THEN the chances are the waiver would be ok because the station would've taken all the precautions necessary. The problem here is that the station DIDN'T take all the precaustions that a proper risk analysis would've highlighted, and so are negligent. It's a fine line.

A lot of the time waivers are not legally enforceable though, a lot of companies just use them to try and escape their obligations and limit their liability even though they wouldn't stand up in court. The most common one is in cloakrooms at nightclubs and restaurants etc. where they say that jackets left are at the owners risk and so they don't take any responsibility. If the cloakroom has staff manning it it doesn't matter what they say - it IS their responsibility and you CAN reclaim any loss. It's only if there is no staff that they can play that card.

There are loads of other examples - thing to remember is that in most cases, a waiver does not affect your statutory rights, it's basically a 'gentlemans agreement' if you will.

[Dark Fact]

A lot of the time waivers are not legally enforceable though, a lot of companies just use them to try and escape their obligations and limit their liability even though they wouldn't stand up in court. The most common one is in cloakrooms at nightclubs and restaurants etc. where they say that jackets left are at the owners risk and so they don't take any responsibility. If the cloakroom has staff manning it it doesn't matter what they say - it IS their responsibility and you CAN reclaim any loss. It's only if there is no staff that they can play that card.

I know that in many places, there is a rule that states that the staff "is not responsible for lost or stolen items".  However, if there is a crooked staff member in the midst that does happen to deliberately lose or steal your items, does the same rule apply?

[KungFuKid]

Ahh, we're getting too deep into this now and gonna make my head hurt! lol!  Depends on the circumstances... and depends on whether you're talking about 'accidental' damage, negligence, theft or fraudulant misrepresentation.... Ok, if for example you were taking an action against the establishment and proceedings were underway, then at some point you discoverred about this untrustworthy persons actions, that would be classed as a 'novus actus interveniens' (or in English as opposed to Latin - a new thing intervenes), and so the nature of the case would have been altered. The active proceedings would end pending a case being built regarding the new circumstance... PHEW!!! But usually all of this would have been discovered at any discovery hearing (unlikely EVER to happen in reality because who is gonnna start a court action over a jacket unless it's a damn expensive jacket!!!! Although that is the theory!). There are far too many ifs, buts and maybes in a lot of these types of cases...

[Dark Fact]

What I mean is if the employee was crooked enough to try and take advantage of that rule and deliberately steal your personal belongings for his own gain?

And cases like this could happen if you're a famous celebrity or politician.