Man Who Lost Arm to South Carolina Gator Gets Settlement

An Ohio man who lost an arm in an alligator attack on a South Carolina golf course has received a settlement.

The terms of the settlement with James Wiencek were not disclosed.

Wiencek was playing the 11th hole of Fripp Island’s Ocean Creek Golf Course in 2009 when he reached down to pick up his ball. He was attacked by a 400-pound alligator that dragged him into a pond.

The case against Fripp Island Resort Inc. was handled in federal court but did not go to trial.

Attorney Mark Chappell said the resort’s documents showed alligators were routinely fed by visitors. Chappell says his client was not warned.

Resort attorney Laura Evans would only say that the company wishes Wiencek well.

The arm was recovered but could not be reattached.