SAVANNAH. - The Georgia Supreme Court ruled Monday that The Landings community resort could not be held liable for the alligator attack which killed 83-year old Gwyneth Williams. The resort claimed that Williams was well aware of the dangers of alligators in a nearby lagoon and therefore cannot be held accountable for the accident.
In October 2007, Williams who was house sitting her daughter's house, was attacked by an eight foot alligator when she wandered off to look for her daughter's dog, who went astray. Her body was found the next day in the lagoon. Later that day the alligator was discovered and killed. Upon being examined, the victim's limbs were found in its stomach. Williams' family filed suit in 2008, claiming that the community was responsible for the 83-year- olds death since they failed to ensure proper protection for residents.
Justice Harold Melton disagreed. "Because the record shows that Williams had equal knowledge of the threat of alligator, we reverse," as reported by Savannah Morning News. The court rejected the family's appeal for a jury in a 4-3 decision.
Justice Robert Benham, who ruled against The Landings, said in his minority report that "while Williams had once seen an alligator in the area, there was no competent evidence she knew there were alligators more than seven-foot long living there," as reported by Savannah Morning News.
The decision reverses the decision by the Georgia Court of Appeals. According to the Atlanta News, "The Supreme Court's decision effectively ends the lawsuit brought by Williams' heirs against The Landings and its homeowners."
The entire ruling of the case can be read here.
