Case Name
The following is the case of “Geringer v. Wildhorn Ranch, Inc. 706 F.Supp. 1442 (1988).”
Procedural History
This case trail was primarily an appeal to the courts’ verdict that found Mr. Watters guilty of the death of William and Jared Geringer. After the scrutiny of both the individual and collective actions of the defendants that resulted in the boating accident, it was conclusive that the judgment required no amends.
Facts
The basis of the trial was an accident that occurred at the Wildhorn Ranch and resulted in the death of William and Jared Geringer. The plaintiff, Diane Geringer, sought the court to aid in her reception of damages from the accused for personal injury and demise of her spouse and son. In August 1986, the family had decided to hold their vacation at Wildhorn Ranch Resort where William and Jared Geringer met their sudden deaths as they engaged in one of the resort’s recreational activity. It was evidenced that the boat boarded by the deceased had received repairs before the accident. The defendant’s argument that the Geringer’s acted unreasonably by not wearing life jackets was rebutted by the plaintiff with the claim that if indeed the life jackets were available the Geringer’s would have opted for them.
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Mr. Watters, the original owner of the ranch claimed to have deeded the premises to the Wildhorn Ranch Resort Inc. making it co-owned by the Board of directors, Mr. Watters, his son David, and spouse Doris (the homeowners association). The other defendant, Les Bretzke, is an independent contractor who offers repair and construction services for the resort. It is said that Mr. Watters’ inspection of the boats came after Les had overseen the repair process by the ranch employees. The trial evidence showed that the firm was running on alter-ego terms. The case concluded that David and the homeowners association were innocent of the charges. However, the Jury found that all of the involved parties portrayed negligence towards the cause of the injuries.
Issue
The court case aims at determining if Mr.Watters should be held accountable for the boating accident that led to the demise of William and Jared Geringer.
Holding
Yes.
Ruling
The case’s legal issues involve negligence and duty of care. Wildhorn Ranch Inc. is obliged to provide safe and conducive environments to its clients and exercising the duty of care in all their undertakings. Mr.Watters, on the other hand, is liable for the deaths as he inspected and confirmed that the boats lacked any malfunctions hence were fit for use. Mr. Watters was, therefore, negligent and showed ignorance to the duty of care. The Jury apportioned negligence of all parties as follows: 70% to Mr. Watters, 20% to Les Bretzke, 5% to Diane Geringer, 5% to William Geringer, and 0% to Wildhorn Ranch Inc.
Reasoning
The court determined that a form of corporate alter-ego existed in the case due to the defendant’s, Mr. Watters, lack of completed formalities required in discriminating between the corporation and his individual assets. Mr. Watters was, therefore, held responsible for the accident since Wildhorn Ranch Resort was his alter-ego. Although, Mr. Watters had personally inspected the boats and ascertained their fitness for use, William and Jared Geringer succumbed to the boats instability and filling with water. The court, therefore, declared the defendants actions as the primary cause of the deaths.
Disposition
Yes.
Comments
The evidence from the trial demonstrated that Mr. Watters’ negligence in adhering to necessary regulations in the deeding of personal property to Wildhorn Ranch led to the demise of William and Jared Geringer.
