Drunk Driver :: Chicago Wrongful Death Lawyer Blog

March 3, 2010

Ramada Inn Sued For Wrongful Death Of Minor

The Estate of a 17-year old youth killed in an automobile accident filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Ramada Inn. According to the lawsuit, Nemcheck consumed alcohol at his place of employment, Ramada Inn and subsequently crashed his truck through a fence and into a pond, causing his death. According to published reports, Nemcheck had a blood-alcohol level of 0.14 percent at the time of the car accident. The main claim in the lawsuit is that Ramada Inn allowed him to access and consume alcohol while he worked a 16-hour shift.

Additional facts that are damning to Ramada Inn are there were previous legal proceedings against Ramada for allowing access to alcohol by minors. In ruling so far the Judge made the following findings of facts. First, Nemcheck had unsupervised access to alcohol; second, the bar area was unlocked and alcohol was readily accessible; and lastly, the hotel's bartender left two minors unsupervised for nearly two hours. This case seems ripe for settlement and hopefully the company will put in place better measures to ensure this type of incident does not happen in the future.

Posted by Peter M. LaSorsa | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Automobile Accident , Drunk Driver , Wrongful Death

February 20, 2010

Wrongful Death Lawsuit Filed Against Drunk Driver

Kevin Benes' family filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Michael Bourdage who was indicted on two counts of aggravated drunken driving in the car accident that killed Benes. According to the lawsuit Bourdages truck slammed into Benes' car killing him. Bourdage has pleaded guilty to more than a dozen traffic, drug and alcohol offenses in Will County, including a drunken driving charge in 2007.

This is a good example of someone minding their own business and being in the wrong place at the wrong time. It is important to hold those responsible for the death of someone else. When people are driving drunk or under the influence of drugs, they present a danger ton themselves and to the public. The unfortunate thing about a case like this is that the only available asset may be the insurance policy if the driver was insured. Many times, irresponsible drivers will have low insurance coverage or no coverage. It is also possible to recover through your own policy under the underinsured provision. It is therefore important to make sure you keep high limits on your underinsured policy.

Posted by Peter M. LaSorsa | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Automobile Accident , Drunk Driver , Wrongful Death

January 15, 2010

Off-Duty Police Officer Sued by Family Of Chicago Man for Wrongful Death

Man Wong died in an automobile accident on the Stevenson Expressway in Chicago after off-duty police officer Edward Stapinski lost control of his automobile. The family of Wong filed a wrongful death lawsuit seeking more than $20 million. It is alleged that Stapinski was intoxicated when the caused tha car accident. Stapinski has been charged with reckless homicide and aggravated drunken driving.

According to details in the wrongful death lawsuit Stapinski was southbound on the Stevenson Expressway after drinking at the WestEnd Bar and Grill in Chicago when he struck the concrete median barrier and went over the median into the northbound lanes striking the automobile driven by Wong. The wrongful death lawsuit claims Stapinski was severely impaired from drinking and blood taken at the hospital after the automobile accident showed his alcohol level at three times the legal limit. The legal limit in Illinois is .08. Aside from the wrongful death claim there is also a dram shop claim against the bar. Dram shop is the term for a cause of action against a business that sells alcohol to someone who then injures another person.

Posted by Peter M. LaSorsa | Permalink | Email This Post

Posted In: Automobile Accident , Drunk Driver , Wrongful Death