Hotel Held Liable in College Student Drowning

Derrick Marshall, 19, was attending a family reunion at the Roadway Inn in Alabama.  The hotel’s pool was undergoing maintenance after the county health department shut it down due to the water’s cloudy condition.  Despite this, hotel workers allegedly told Marshall and others that they could use the pool.

When he swam into the deep end of the pool, Marshall inhaled some water and disappeared.  Because of the cloudy water, rescuers could not locate him in the pool for about 12 minutes.  He was revived but remained in a vegetative state until his death more than three months later.

A lawyer, serving as administrator of Marshall’s estate, sued the hotel and its manager alleging that the defendants negligently allowed Marshall and others to use the pool despite the fact that the condition of the water posed a safety hazard.  Suit also charged that there were improper safety standards and a lack of safety equipment at the pool.

The jury awarded about $3.77 million, including $3 million in punitive damages.

If you think you have a personal injury or wrongful death suit, you shold speak with an attorney about your rights.  Attorney Michael S. Weisberg offers free consultations.  Please feel free to contact us.  We would love to be of service to you.