WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- The Weather Channel cannot be held responsible for the death of a man who drowned after being thrown out of a fishing boat during an unexpected storm, a federal judge ruled.

The family of Charles Cobb sued the Atlanta-based station for $10 million, saying Cobb relied on a storm-free forecast in June 1997 when he left his Big Pine Key home on the boating trip.Attorneys for the television station said the judge recognized the possible free-speech restrictions on the media if such a lawsuit succeeded.

"We believe that was not simply a negligence case, but it was a case with significant First Amendment issues," Stanley Wakshlag said recently. "And the judge obviously shared those concerns in his ruling."

The Weather Channel had information about inclement conditions approaching the Florida Keys but did not broadcast it in a timely manner, the lawsuit charged.

U.S. District Judge James Paine said holding a forecaster liable could expose it to lawsuits by, for example, farmers who lose crops to unforeseen conditions.

View Comments

"It is well established that mass media broadcasters and publishers owe no duty to their general public who may view their broadcasts or read their publications," Paine wrote.

Join the Conversation
Looking for comments?
Find comments in their new home! Click the buttons at the top or within the article to view them — or use the button below for quick access.