The decision reversed an early ruling that found the Landings Club and the Landings Association may have been liable for damages – the incident occured inside the defendants’ gated community – because not enough was done to defend residents from aggressive alligators, according to ALM’s Daily Report.
Gwyneth Williams, 83, was found dead with her right foot and both forearms bitten off in October 2007. An alligator was later caught with the body parts in its stomach.
A medical examiner concluded that Ms Williams had bled to death, but a lawyer for the golf club, Johnny Foster of local firm Forbes Foster & Pool, argued before the appeal court that the woman may have been dead before the alligator ate her.
Mr Foster cited the autopsy, which found Ms Williams had severe, untreated heart disease and high levels of an antidepressant medication in her bloodstream.
The Supreme Court decision affirmed that the homeowners’ association had warned residents that alligators were present and could be dangerous, and Ms Williams assumed the risk when she walked near the lagoons.
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