[sumo] oshi-dashi'd message

["Christopher J. Basten" <cbasten@statgen.ncsu.edu>]

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Richard Webb <riwebb@alltel.net>
Subject: Re: [sumo] Lawsuit over Mock SUMO-fighting.....

At 03:37 PM 5/19/04, Howard wrote:

>But just because she was a willing participant shouldn't mean that the
>company is excused from its duty to provide the activity safely. I'm not
>sure about American law (or even the law of the state), but doesn't the
>company have a responsibility to the safety of participants if they follow
>the instructions ans safety procedures outlined by staff?

But there is the company's out.  They clearly did NOT follow the safety
procedures in that the combatants did not stay on the mat.  Maybe she
should be suing the person who pushed her off the mat because that was the
direct cause of her injury (the impact between padded helmet and a hard
surface).

I'm sure the law doesn't look at things the same way that I do, but I
believe that there is implied risk any time you participate in a physical
activity.  Honestly, the sumo play suits make wrestling in them MUCH safer
than, for instance, running.  No one specifically says, "Danger, running on
jogging path poses a risk of severe injury should you fall."  Why should
they?  Unless someone is an absolute idiot, they know that there are risks
which they must deem acceptable before participating.  If she thought that
there was no possible way she could get hurt wrestling in that suit, then
she is absolutely stupid.  We should not reward stupidity.

At least that's how I see it.  I could be wrong.


Richard Webb
[EndPost by "Christopher J. Basten" <cbasten@statgen.ncsu.edu>]