Man locked in ship bathroom loses appeal

DETROIT (AP) -- A Michigan man who sued for false imprisonment after co-workers jokingly locked him in a ship bathroom in Washington state won't get a new trial. A federal appeals court this week said there's enough evidence for the Detroit jury's verdict in favor of a medical-equipment company in 2009. There's no dispute that Steven Slasinski was locked in the bathroom of the Champagne Lady during a dinner cruise on Lake Washington near Seattle in 2007. Slasinski was trapped for 20 to 25 minutes until the crew responded. The Genesee County man and his wife were seeking more than $100,000, but a jury found no fault with the employer, known then as Confirma. Attorney Karen Smith Kienbaum says Slasinski was distressed and never knew when he'ad get out of the tight space. Published: Thu, Jan 26, 2012