Comments on: Update: $875K award to ejected slots player https://www.overlawyered.com/2007/02/update-875k-award-to-ejected-slots-player/ Chronicling the high cost of our legal system Wed, 28 Feb 2007 11:53:05 +0000 hourly 1 By: markm https://www.overlawyered.com/2007/02/update-875k-award-to-ejected-slots-player/comment-page-1/#comment-6093 Wed, 28 Feb 2007 11:53:05 +0000 http://overlawyered.com/wpblog/?p=4584#comment-6093 Deoxy: “A federal jury awarded $270.05 in general damages and $875,000 in punitive damages to a 74-year-old woman who claimed she was “questioned, photographed, held against her will and finally tossed out” of a casino after she found an abandoned nickel credit in a deserted slot machine. Plaintiff Estella Romanski prevailed on her claims for violation of her civil rights, false arrest and false imprisonment, while Detroit’s MotorCity Casino defeated her claims for defamation and intentional infliction of emotional distress.”

She might have had a good case for false arrest/imprisonment, depending on the exact facts, but it sounds like the jury figured that was worth only $270. It’s the punitive award that is ridiculously out of line.

]]> By: Velkrin https://www.overlawyered.com/2007/02/update-875k-award-to-ejected-slots-player/comment-page-1/#comment-6092 Wed, 28 Feb 2007 11:15:54 +0000 http://overlawyered.com/wpblog/?p=4584#comment-6092 I’m not a gambler but can’t casinos boot you out whenever they want? Something about not paying for the entertainment?

EG: You’re winning too much so they show you the door.

]]> By: Deoxy https://www.overlawyered.com/2007/02/update-875k-award-to-ejected-slots-player/comment-page-1/#comment-6091 Wed, 28 Feb 2007 10:19:55 +0000 http://overlawyered.com/wpblog/?p=4584#comment-6091 On what grounds did she sue them? “Emotional duress” or some other crock? What was the charge that had punitives added on?

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