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30 May 2010
A woman in the US is suing Google because its Maps service gave her the wrong walking directions.
Lauren Rosenberg claims that the directions caused her to get hit by a vehicle because they led her onto a busy highway.
The case, filed in the US District Court's Central Division in Utah, will decide whether Google can be considered liable for directions provided by its mapping service.
Rosenberg is demanding $100,000 (£69,000), and is also taking legal action against Patrick Harwood, the driver of the vehicle that hit her.
The walking directions Rosenberg searched for on her BlackBerry were from 96 Daly Street, Park City, Utah to 1710 Prospector Avenue, Park City, Utah.
Google clearly says on the route description that the "walking directions are in beta", and warns that "this route may be missing sidewalks or pedestrian paths".
Google added walking directions to its mapping services in July 2008, and warned at the time that the product was still in development and should not be trusted fully.
However, Rosenberg is pursuing her case. She claims the directions led her into danger because she was instructed to walk along Deer Valley Road, which is a rural highway with no safe pathway for pedestrians.
"The Defendant Google expects users of the walking map site to rely on the accuracy of the walking directions given," said Rosenberg's complaint filing.
"As a direct and proximate cause of Defendant Google's careless, reckless and negligent providing of unsafe directions, Plaintiff Lauren Rosenberg was led onto a dangerous highway, and was thereby stricken by a motor vehicle, causing her to suffer severe permanent physical, emotional, and mental injuries, including pain and suffering."
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Do you agree?
Easy Money
I love it when people claim that corporations "made" them do things. As if this lady didn't have a choice but to follow Google's directions. This is a repeat of so many other ridiculous lawsuits, and honestly it's the definition of idiocy. What was she thinking? "Hmmm, well it looks dangerous and there aren't any sidewalks, but heck, Google routed me this way, and if anything bad happens I will blame it on them."
Posted by: Casey 08 Jun 2010
Only in America
The US is the most litigious country in the world. Everybody tries it on. Why are you people so surprised? The whole nation has no self respect.
Posted by: Duncan 07 Jun 2010
How else was she going to get there?
If you check out the directions on Google Maps or even Earth, there's not many other ways she could have gone anyway.
Posted by: Darren 04 Jun 2010
Semi-justified, maybe...
Whilst the woman certainly doesn't have any case whatsoever against Google (soooo many disclaimers) she *might* have a case against the driver who hit her. The article says that she was directed along the urban freeway rather than across it so it could be argued that the car driver was negligent in running over a pedestrian at the side of the road. The fact remains, though, that she shouldn't have been there in the first place and the sole responsibility for that lies with her.
Posted by: Badman 02 Jun 2010
Another ambulance chaser
Is this woman serious?! Does she not have eyes, or any common sense whatsoever?!!! People like her are the reason why the words "Caution: Contents may be hot." have to appear on a cup of coffee! Everybody knows that software isn't perfect. SatNav's sometimes direct you to a dead end, or to a road which is no longer accessible. It happens. The technology is there as an aid, not to replace your brain. If a route took me dangerously close to a cliff, I'd find an alternate route, not drive off it and sue the SatNav company for forcing me to ignore my eyes and just follow the route blindly. Some people shouldn't be allowed out on their own.
Posted by: Graham 01 Jun 2010
Plain stupid
she's an idiot!!!! if it told her to jump off a cliff to get to the beach then she would acutally jump off that cliff to get to the beach without hesitation as she obviously cant think!!!! If it told her to run at 90mph on the highway she woulld actually start running that fast lol!!! If it told her to swim/walk to china over the sea she would just follow the instructions and do it???? use some common sense peoples!!! google cant be liable for this lol.
Posted by: Anon 31 May 2010
is this woman for real?
In my honest opinion it is google who should be sueing this woman for her utter stupidity. She got run over, and she wants $100'000 from the people who gave her a map? Im surprised shes not trying to sue her mother for brining her in to the world. Every person is responsible for their own actions. Google didnt get this creature run over, she did. She should be thankful that her stupidity didnt kill her. I hope for her childrens sake she has learned a valuable lesson.
Posted by: dan 31 May 2010
GET A LIFE LADY
The directions clearly tell you what to look for...duh
Posted by: kerry 31 May 2010
Look before you cross the road, moron!
Perhaps i'll sue google too because their beta walking directions advised me to kayak from australia to japan when i asked for directions. Unfortunately, being the idiot i am, i ignored Google's disclaimer that this was a beta version and should not be fully trusted and kayaked anyhow. My kayak got hit by a bulk carrier in the pacific so i am going to sue the captain of the vessel and Google so i get some quick, easy money! Oh... and for emotional distress.
Posted by: Aaron Parkes 31 May 2010
Absolutely Rubbish
I'm sure if your GPS says to turn right on a bridge in a river, you would be sensible enough not to follow it. What has happened to common sense these days - I guess not so common! This is probably just a money grab as she is suing the other driver as well...
Posted by: Tim M 31 May 2010
Hah
Well if your that stupid to follow directions to get yourself in a position where your on a freeway/highway not to mention ignoring googles disclaimers about the inaccuracy of its system, then you propbably deserve a darwin award...
Posted by: daneth86 31 May 2010
Use your brain, not your iPhone or other GPS device
People have to start using their brains again instead of relying on their iPhone or other GPS device. Did this lady blindly keep walking forward because the map said she should? Open your eyes people. If there's a car coming, stop walking.
Posted by: Landon 31 May 2010
Woman is a Moron
If this woman isn't smart enough to avoid traffic on foot then it's too bad she wasnt hit by a bigger truck to avoid this nonsense. I'm sure there is a money grubbing lawyer in the picture as well..
Posted by: Riess 30 May 2010