Man mauled after smoking pot can get workers' comp

NWCN ^ | June 4, 2010 | Associated Press

[epithermal]

HELENA, Mont. (AP) — A Montana judge says it's not a worker's fault he got mauled by a grizzly bear at a tourist attraction, even if he smoked marijuana before trying to feed the animal.

Brock Hopkins acknowledged smoking pot before arriving to work at Great Bear Adventures on Nov. 2, 2007. When he entered the bear's pen, he was attacked and had to be hospitalized.

The owner of the attraction near Glacier National Park says Hopkins was a volunteer and that his use of marijuana caused the accident.

But Judge James Jeremiah Shea of the state Workers' Compensation Court ruled last month that Hopkins is eligible for benefits.

Shea found that Hopkins was paid, and therefore he's an employee. The judge also concluded Hopkins' use of marijuana was not the main cause of the attack.

[BenLurkin]

http://www.johnspeedie.com/healy/believe.wav

[a fool in paradise]

It’ll become the bear’s fault when he does it again later to get more prescription painkillers.

[Responsibility2nd]

[epithermal]

So that’s how Smokey got his name

[cranked]

lulz...

[Slings and Arrows]

Cheech and Chong are going to file first thing Monday.

[OneLoyalAmerican]

Stoned, Hopkins feeds himself to the bear. Brilliant plan!

According to Hopkins’ Slip-n-fall lawyer, Jeffrey Ellingson: “He’s going to hurt when he’s older.”

Don't say, eh?

[Slings and Arrows]

Stupid hurts.

[OneLoyalAmerican]

Death always cures stupid.

[TheOldLady]

They need to give the guy back his job. Then we can have a Darwin Award story.

[Slings and Arrows]

All hail the great doctor Darwin.

[Slings and Arrows]

Whoops, meant to include you in post #31.

[TheOldLady]

All Hail!

[I Drive Too Fast]

Did you guys see this?