The cost of high living
2003-02-04 22:49
Johannesburg - A woman from Johannesburg, whose husband was killed by lightning on a golf course in Woodmead, is suing the Johannesburg Country Club for more than R5.9m.
An actuary says Eleanor Stott, 57, whose husband, Brian, died in March 2000, apparently needs more than R30 000 a month to pay for things such as her hair-and-beauty routine, entertainment, horse riding, holidays, timeshare and membership to the club.
Documents handed to the Pretoria High Court claim Stott has to complete alterations to her house, pay her car and her membership to an archaeological society.
Brian Stott, a chemical and mechanical engineer, was standing under a shelter on the course with other players when lightning hit the shelter or a tree nearby.
Several people were injured and Stott died of his injuries a few weeks later.
His wife alleges the club was negligent in not ensuring the shelters were protected against lightning. Apparently, there weren't sufficient lightning conductors and there were high trees in the area.
She also claims there was insufficient medical assistance on the premises.
Stott said on Tuesday she was aware the club had rules to indemnify itself against lightning damage, but said this rule was "unfair".
The indemnity warning was apparently printed on the back of the admission tickets.