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Hotel And Event Hosts Sued By Family Of Girl Killed Sliding Down A Banister
On October 30, 2010, 23-year-old Megan Duskey fell to her death at a Halloween-themed ball at the Palmer House Hilton. The young elementary school teacher at Orville T. Bright Elementary School was attempting to slide down a banister when she fell four floors. Now, Duskey's family is claiming the girl's death was the fault of the "Haunted Hotel Ball" hosts, and are suing for more than $500,000.According to the Chicago Sun-Times, the family believes the event hosts allowed ticket-holders to consume an exorbitant amount of alcohol without supervision or protection. The ten-count suit, which was filed Tuesday, is naming Hilton Worldwide, the Palmer House Hilton, Surreal Chicago and Adrenaline Y2K as the hosts of the party.
The Cook County Medical Examiner's Office stated that Duskey was dead at the scene, ruling the death an accident.
While efforts on Tuesday night to reach Hilton Worldwide and Adrenaline Y2K were unsuccessful, CEO of Surreal Chicago, Brian Pfeiffer, declined to comment based on the fact Duskey's death occurred in the lobby of the hotel, and not while she was at the party.
[Image via NBC Chicago]
Filed under: Festivals and Events, Stories, North America, United States, Hotels and Accommodations, News
Reader Comments (Page 5 of 23)
Ray Jul 28th 2012 7:24PM
Thats an erroneous statement, with no validity whatsoever. People who can think for themselves are free to disregard it totally.
ShifreJane Jul 28th 2012 5:51PM
To Zapdog: I beg to differ. There are many people on both sides of the political fence that believe strongly in personal responsibility... so keep the snide comment out... That said, my children learned as toddlers - "For every action there is a reaction and for every decision a consequence."
Too many people want to absolve themselves after they have made a poor decision. The choice to slide down an open bannister from the fourth floor was idiotic; combined with alcohol was deadly. The venue did not force this woman to drink and, unless they suggested she slide down the bannister, are not responsible for her death.
terry Jul 28th 2012 5:55PM
i agree to a point if it was a school get together the school should have had people there watching over the kids cause it said she was in elementry school so they sould be responable for her death and not the hotel,
Tiffany Jul 28th 2012 6:45PM
I guess an educated teacher needs to be told not to drink to much and not to slide down a 4 story high banister??? Give me a break! Her family may be grieving her loss but they need to realize what their daughter did was no different than getting drunk then driving her car into a tree! Would they sue if she did that???
RM Jul 29th 2012 10:01AM
Far more likely that this girl's parents are conservative. What is a liberal? Take a conservative and remove all reason and accountability.
doc Jul 28th 2012 6:38PM
You're absolutely correct!!! It's like blaming the gun, or it's manufacturer, for a wrongful death. Maybe we can sue the makers of matches and lighters for all the forest fires????
CJS-Vero Jul 28th 2012 7:00PM
Please, personal responsibility is not a liberal/conservative issue. That remark is simply idiotic. Personal responsibility is just that: PERSONAL. It's not conservative or liberal, republican or democrat or socialist or anything else.
The parents are bereft and trying to blame someone. The young woman was an adult and died. End of story. The law may find others partially responsible since alcohol was involved, but that's been done many times in many other situations. It will likely come down to "who served her", "how many times". I don't personally think a hotel nor any building with stairways, are going to be held accountable for personal stupidity on an individuals' part. Hey, just like your remark about liberals! Oh, btw, I'm not a liberal. :)
Sharon Jul 28th 2012 7:14PM
I agree. This was a college educated adult who was entirely capable of making proper behavior related decisions. The person at fault was the woman herself. No one poored alcohol down her throat or forced her to slide down the banister. She is the only one responsible for the foolish decision, and had she survived the fall, she would probably be mortified by her own behavior!
Dennis Jul 31st 2012 8:42PM
It is quite comical that NO ONE today is held ACCOUNTABLE for there own actions!!!!
And we wonder why everything cost a gabillion dollars??
If this sees the light of a court room, the D.A. andthe judge should be thrown in jail
silsez Jul 27th 2012 11:01AM
There's no such thing as personal responsibility anymore. It's always someone elses fault. (Keeps the lawyers busy).
Navy Jul 27th 2012 11:54AM
You are correct. They learn this from their MOM'S and the liberals.
Moudsie Jul 27th 2012 12:46PM
Stop blaming the libs -- again, I am a "lib" and think the only one at fault is the woman -- get over blaming libs for everything --
wmrfan Jul 27th 2012 1:49PM
Just listen to Obombo
gia Jul 27th 2012 11:02AM
they are suing because she didnt have a babysitter, someone to watch her when she was drunk. WOW.
vicki Jul 27th 2012 11:50PM
To me the 23 old is at total fault for her own death. Really parents $500,000 is going to bring your daughter back?
Keith Marchand Jul 27th 2012 11:06AM
Unreal...sue the hotel because she drank to much and did something stupid...America..got to love it
Dawn Jul 27th 2012 1:52PM
Nothing to do with Americans in general, just another case of an irresponsible drinker with a head full of air ---
hmmm? Jul 27th 2012 11:12AM
Hmmmmm? Really? Had they cut her off, SHE"D be filing suit. It's obvious a 23 year old school teacher needs a babysitter.
Nettie Jul 27th 2012 11:16AM
My personal opinion, which means squat, is the parents do not have a case. Their daughter was 23 years old and responsible for herself. I'm sure no one on the hotel staff encouraged her to slide down the banister especially when someone is intoxicated. Perhaps one of the party goers did.
In any case, I want to extend my heartfelt condolences to the family for their loss.
tim Jul 27th 2012 11:57AM
yes -- i am sure everyone or most people have tried this at one time in their life at home if they could -- when they fell -- did they sue themself -- no i think not -- but here we have a hotel with a back roll -- JACKPOT !