Flip and Fall: Chicago Woman Sues Zoo for Dolphin-Induced Fall

The Dolphin did it. That is likely to be the defense of the Brookfield Zoo near Chicago, which is being sued for the 2008 fall of Allecyn Edwards. Edwards fell while walking near the exhibit of Atlantic bottlenose dolphins.

The dolphins were performing and where there are dolphins performing there is usually water. In her lawsuit, she alleges that zoo officials “recklessly and willfully trained and encouraged the dolphins to throw water at the spectators in the stands, making the floor wet and slippery.”

She claims that there were no warning signs or protective mats or strips placed in the area. That would be surprising since the zoo is potentially liable for such anticipated conditions. As public invitees, there is a duty not just to warn but to make safe.

Edwards is demanding $50,000 for lost wages, medical expenses and emotional trauma from the Chicago Zoological Society and the Forest Preserve District of Cook County.

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