Margaret H. Allison v. Charter Rivers Hospital

Assumption of Risk- Medical - In April of 1992, plaintiff entered Charter Rivers Hospital (defendant) for treatment of her addiction to prescriptive medication. After five days plaintiff learned she was scheduled to participate in a ropes course, which she expressed reservations about participating in, but after collectiong information decided to participate in the activity.

The purpose of the ropes course was to build trust and self-confidence. The object of the exercise was for the group to catch the participant as she fell, thereby building the participant's trust in the group. A participant was to walk backwards on a rope strung between trees while holding onto a wire from above. The botton rope was approximately two and a half feet from the ground at the base trees but sagged and swayed in the middle. Participants were instructed to let go of the wire from above if they fell. Four members of the group, acting as spotters, were to follow the participant to catch her if she fell.

When it was plaintiffs turn, the group lifted her up onto the rope, and she caught hold of the top wire. Plaintiff testified she was about four feet from the tree when she fell. The group was not able to break her fall, and she landed on her right knee.

Defendant asserted as defenses a general denial of negligence, assumption of risk, and contributory negligence.

Defendant's verdict.

Unknown

Unknown

Affirmed by the Court of Appeals of South Carolina. See: 514 S.E.2d 601 (S.C.app. 1999). Note: The above date reflects the appellate court decision date, not the original trial date. Reported by dss.