Gambler Scoops $1.325million Payout in Casino Accident Lawsuit

2 years ago
Gambler Scoops $1.325million Payout in Casino Accident Lawsuit
07:16
22 May

Slipping on a spilled drink in a Connecticut casino back in 2016 bagged one punter a massive $1.325million payout this month in a US tribal court ruling...

Gary Goodman was a 56-year old dentist at the time of the accident, which took place in the Foxwoods Resort Casino in Connecticut and was caught on CCTV.

Mr Goodman was walking on the casino’s Grand Pequot concourse near Dunkin’ Donuts shortly before noon on June 28th 2016 when he slipped on “an accumulation of liquid substance”.

He fractured his lower left leg, tore tendons and dislocated his left ankle, which was left permanently impaired, and resulted in Mr Goodman having to retire from his dental practice.

Surveillance footage from the casino captured the liquid being spilled by another customer, and being ignored by several members of Foxwoods’ staff, twenty minutes prior to Mr Godman’s fall.


Mr Goodman’s lawyer James Harrington, of the Waterford firm Polito & Harrington, brought the lawsuit arguing the accident was due to the casino’s “negligence and carelessness.”

The two parties came to a settlement without a trial, the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Court awarding Mr Goodman $1.325million.

That payout was limited by tribal law, which imposes a 200% cap on awards for actual damages. Mr Goddman’s claim was for roughly $600,000 to cover medical expenses and lost wages.

His lawyer stated afterwards: “He couldn’t have recovered substantially more than the settlement amount because of the caps,” adding: “In state court, it would have been a whole different story.”

The lawyer for the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe who own Foxwoods, Edward Gasser, said they do not comment on pending or concluded litigation.


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Andrew from Edinburgh, Scotland, is a professional journalist, international-titled chess master, and avid poker player.Read more

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