Recent high-profile liability cases show how quickly everyday business operations can spiral into multimillion-dollar losses. From a bar that allegedly overserved a patron leading to a fatal crash, to a medical facility that overlooked critical warning signs, and an amusement park struggling with operational oversights, these incidents prove that even routine procedures carry serious risk. Understanding these exposures is essential – not just to avoid costly claims, but to ensure your organization has the right insurance coverage and risk management practices in place.
Bar Settles Lawsuit for $6.5 Million Following Drunk Driving Death — Liquor Liability
A South Carolina bar has agreed to pay $6.5 million to settle a wrongful death lawsuit after a man was killed in a collision with a drunk driver whose vehicle crossed over the center line. The driver, who also died in the incident, was allegedly overserved by the establishment. The family of the man killed in the collision filed the lawsuit in 2021. The plaintiff’s attorney alleged that the restaurant contributed to the crash because it provided the driver with alcohol that brought him to and beyond the point of intoxication. The family’s complaint also noted that the driver was visibly and severely intoxicated while the restaurant staff continued to serve him.
Jury Awards Patient $70.8 Million in Medical Negligence Case — Medical Malpractice
A Florida jury awarded a patient $70.8 million after determining a hospital’s freestanding emergency department failed to recognize and treat a life-threatening injury following a patient’s July 2021 visit. However, the monetary relief provided may be impacted by a Florida law that limits non-economic damages in medical malpractice cases to $200,000 when the injured party is on Medicaid. In this case, the patient was experiencing an excruciating headache, and emergency responders rushed her to the emergency room. She told the nurse her pain was the worst she’d ever felt and that she had just returned to taking birth control, a risk factor for blood clots. According to her attorney, the patient was in her 40s, overweight, and had diabetes, which also increased her risk factors. However, no one ordered a CT scan that could have potentially detected a blood clot. Instead, she was discharged with headache medication after having bloodwork done and a COVID-19 test performed. Two days after the visit, the woman suffered a stroke, and imaging showed extensive brain blood clots. The stroke caused permanent brain damage and some paralysis on her left side. It also left her mostly blind and with memory difficulties and a severe stammer. She is unlikely to be able to work. The lawsuit named the hospital, a contracting service, and the agency’s nurse as defendants. The on-duty doctor was also named in the lawsuit but settled out of court.
Family Receives $205 Million Jury Award After Amusement Park Fatality — Liability
A Colorado jury awarded $205 million to the family of a girl who died at an amusement park in 2021. The girl, who was not buckled in on a park ride, fell from her seat. The lawsuit said the death was a result of the park’s pattern of improper training and recklessness. The park’s parent company, the ride’s designer, and the ride’s two operators were named in the lawsuit, which alleged that the park had been warned twice about lax seatbelt checks but failed to inform state investigators of those incidents. State investigators determined the ride’s system had been reset to bypass an alarm that would have warned that the girl was not buckled. They determined the girl died due to inadequate training and multiple errors by the ride operators who had been hired just weeks before the incident. The award consisted of $82 million in non-economic damages and $123 million in punitive damages.
Car Rental Company to Pay $1.8 Million Following Age Discrimination Lawsuit — Employment Practices Liability
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) announced a Florida car rental company must pay $1.8 million and provide nonmonetary relief after being named in a federal age discrimination lawsuit. The EEOC stated that the company failed to hire individuals 40 or older for its management trainee position from at least 2019 to the present, even though approximately 15% of applicants were 40 or older. According to the EEOC, employees 40 or over account for only 3% of all hires, and over 125 witnesses could testify they were asked their age or graduation year during the hiring process, were told that most candidates recently attended college, were discouraged from pursuing the position, or endured other age-related comments. The three-year consent decree also requires the company to implement new Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) policies, conduct ADEA training, post a notice about the lawsuit, and investigate all age discrimination complaints.
Routine operations can hide significant risk, and the costs of a loss can be staggering. Proactively assessing exposures and confirming proper coverage can help your business stay protected. For guidance on reviewing your policies and risk management, contact us today.
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This publication is intended for informational purposes only and is not intended to be exhaustive, nor should any discussion or opinions be construed as professional advice. Readers should contact a licensed insurance professional or attorney for appropriate advice. ©2025 Zywave, Inc. All rights reserved.
