There is an interesting verdict out of California where a former MLB pitcher, Greg Reynolds, was awarded $2.3 million against a man who appeared at his house naked and high on LSD. In an effort to keep Dominic Pintarelli (left) out of his house, Reynolds severely damaged his hand and effectively ended his promising baseball career. Reynolds was also allowed to recover from the hosts of the party where Pintarelli became high. The liability of the hosts is particularly interesting. The damages included $300,000 for the pain and suffering of Reynolds’ wife.
Pintarelli was 19 at the time and was convicted on assault charges.
Reynolds was a second round pick by the Colorado Rockies after he graduated from Stanford. He pitched in the majors in a loss to the Padres and was traded to Texas Rangers and Cincinnati Reds.
The incident occurred on Jan. 16, 2016 when he approached a naked man in his gated community to see if he needed house. Pintarelli attacked him and Reynolds ran back in the house. When Pintarelli tried to force his way in, Reynolds Reynolds stepped outside and punched Pintarelli, fracturing his knuckles. The incident ended his career and, after a minor league contract, Reynolds went back to Stanford for an economics degree. He eventually went into finance.
Again, the most interesting element is the recovery against the party host. Bars and restaurants can be liable under dram shop acts for injuries caused by “over served” patrons to third parties. Social hosts are generally exempted.
This appears to be a straight negligence case against Connor Pope who got high with Pintarelli. Pope however was not with Pintarelli at the time of the assault. Nevertheless, the jury found him responsible as a matter of proximate cause.
The verdict will help….maybe….if the host had a big homeowners policy with a large umbrella attached to it.
Otherwise, the lawyer will get his pound of flesh before Reynolds ever sees a dime.
Lucy Lastik – you can go after both homeowner policies. In a gated community, it might be enough to make up the difference.
Bizarre!
A party guest, high on drugs, attempts a criminal act on another’s property, and the party hosts are the ones to suffer financially for this act.
Whatever happened to personal responsibility?
I guess the party guest who got high wasn’t financially responsible for anything, even though he’s the one that caused all the damage and injuries.
Apparently Reynolds never watched and learned anything from the movie Bull Durham:
Crash Davis: Did you hit me with your right hand or did you hit me with your left? Huh? Did you hit me with your right hand or did you hit me with your LEFT?
Ebby Calvin LaLoosh: My left.
Crash Davis: Good! That’s good; when you get in a fight with a drunk you don’t hit him with your pitching hand. God, I can’t keep giving you these free lessons so quit screwin’ around and help me up.
“when you get in a fight with a drunk you don’t hit him with your pitching hand…”
First thing I thought of when I read this story!
Thanks Doubt. It’s my favorite baseball movie.
Does this guy even have $2.3 million to give to anyone? I mean, he’s at a point in his life where he shambling around naked, high on drugs. He’s not doing so well.
I’m sorry about the loss of Reynolds’ career. That must be very difficult, to always wonder what might have been. I wonder why the fractured knuckles could never heal right.
It occurs to me that if a naked guy was wedged inside my front door, forcing his way in, I don’t think I’d want to punch him. First, it would involve touching an icky naked druggie, and who knows where he’s been. Second, who knew at the time what he’d taken, and how it would affect him? Sometimes people on drugs can be very difficult to put down, and if he got by Reynolds, his wife would have been on her own. In future, when a naked man high on drugs forces his way into your home either shoot him or taser him, but don’t get within reach.
Karen S – I am sure when he slugged him he did not think it would be a career-ending move. However, if a naked guy is coming into your house you work with what you got. 😉
I agree about the hosts. If hosts are throwing a party they need to corral their naked party goers. 😉
Vague. Party host. Not explained. Don’t ask me I don’t give a damn. Next stop is Viet Nam.
An MLB pitcher. hmmmm. Thanks to a 5th grade interest in baseball and given enough thought I figured it out.