Rob Dassow received a verdict of $11,600,000 in Gulf Shores, Alabama on behalf of our 24 year old client who was rendered a quadriplegic after diving into shallow water while on vacation with a group of friends. Our client rented a condominium with a group of friends through the short-term rental website VRBO. The VRBO listing for the property highlighted its location on Little Lagoon, and advertised the property as safe for water activities such as swimming and diving, despite the fact that the water in Little Lagoon near the condominium pier is approximately 18 inches deep. The only warning of this dangerously shallow water was a sticker on the back of a bench on the pier which was almost impossible to see. Our client and his friends had a few of their favorite beverages on their first night in Gulf Shores, and our client dove off the pier. At trial, we successfully argued that Defendant’s sales and marketing created the impression that the property was safe for diving and other water activities. Further, the existing warning was inadequate to advise renters of the dangerously shallow nature of the Little Lagoon.
