Family awarded $18 million after Wii death

The family of a woman who died while taking part in a radio station contest in order to win a Nintendo Wii console has been awarded $18 million by a California jury.

Jennifer Strange died in 2007 while participating in the “Hold Your Wee For A Wii” competition, in which contestants tried to drink water without urinating or vomiting. Strange died of water intoxication, according to an autopsy report.

While the family did not press criminal charges on the station, it sued for $US34 million. The station’s defense argued that the death was unforeseeable and Strange’s “contributory negligence” led to her death.

Instead of giving the full amount, the 12 jurors awarded $18 million to the family.