Brain Injury Attorney Blog

Oklahoma Wrongful Death Lawsuit

Thu, 17 May 2012 10:55:27 -0500

The father of a 3-year-old girl who was found beheaded in 2001 says the Oklahoma Department of Corrections is responsible for his daughter's death. Erica Green was born in 1997 to Michelle Johnson who had been in jail for five weeks. Johnson was incarcerated for larceny and has a history of drug abuse and child abuse.

Erica's headless body was found in the woods near Kansas City and was not identified for four years. Harrell Johnson, Michelle Johnson's boyfriend at the time, was sentenced to 25 years in prison for second-degree murder. Police said Harrell admitted to beating Erica while under the influence of alcohol and PCP. She died as he kicked her and threw her to the ground, after which Harrell said he used hedge clippers to sever her head and then dumped the body in the woods.

Erica's father, Larry Green, filed a wrongful death lawsuit in federal court that says his daughter's death could have been prevented if the Oklahoma Department of Corrections had contacted the Oklahoma Department of Human Services when the child was born. Green's lawsuit states that prison officials "performed no background check whatsoever on Ms. Brown and failed to provide Ms. Brown with any guidance or standards as to the care, custody and possible future reunification of Erica Green with her" parents. The lawsuit also alleges officials were aware of Michelle's drug use while pregnant, citing the 1995 birth of Michelle's fourth child who tested positive for cocaine as evidence she should not be allowed to take care of Erica.

Green is hoping that agencies will enforce improved policies when it comes to babies born to inmates. If you or someone you know needs to file a wrongful death lawsuit, it would be wise to speak with an experienced wrongful death attorney in your area. One of the wrongful death attorneys in Myrtle Beach is ready to speak with you about your case. Call one of the Myrtle Beach wrongful death lawyers at The Mace Firm to schedule your free consultation.

Myrtle Beach Motorcycle Crashes

Mon, 14 May 2012 13:42:55 -0500

A Virginia man, Kenneth Tarpey, has been charged with felony DUI following a motorcycle crash in Myrtle Beach on Sunday. Tarpey was operating a 2007 Harley Davidson motorcycle when he crashed after failing to negotiate a curb. His passenger, a woman also from Virgina, was thrown off the back of the motorcycle and was found in a field near the scene. Both were not wearing helmets at the time of the crash. The woman was unresponsive when EMS showed up, but her condition is improving this morning as she remains hospitalized.

Tarpey had only minor cuts to his face and head as a result of the crash. When officers arrived, Tarpey was attempting to pick up his motorcycle and appeared to be unsteady on his feet. After performing field sobriety tests, officers determined that Tarpey was under the influence of alcohol and took him into custody. Tarpey remains at J. Reuben Long on $30,000 bond.

Two other motorcyclists weren't as lucky as the passenger on Tarpey's motorcycle. On Saturday night, two motorcycle accidents took place which resulted in two deaths. Mitchell Lewellen of Mullins died in the first accident. His Honda motorcycle was heading west on 544 when it hit another westbound vehicle while Lewellen was attempting to change lanes. The Horry County Coroner determied that Lewellen died of internal injuries.

Hours later, Kimberly Holden died when she fell off the Harley Davidson motorcycle she was riding on. The driver of the motorcycle, Donnie Ray from Anynor, was uninjured. However, Ray was charged with felony DUI resulting in great bodily injury. As of last night, no bail had been set for Ray and he remains in custody.

Since Bike Week has just begun, these accidents should serve as a reminder to all who plan on traveling around the Myrtle Beach area this week. Double-check your blind spots for motorcycles and dont drink and drive. If you or someone you know has been involved in a motorcycle crash, you will need to seek the assistance of an experienced Myrtle Beach injury lawyer or wrongful death lawyer in Myrtle Beach. The Myrtle Beach wrongful death attorneys at The Mace Firm are ready to speak with you about your case. Call one of the Myrtle Beach wrongful death attorneys to schedule your free consultation.

Hit and Run Case Settlement

Fri, 11 May 2012 11:37:45 -0500

The family of a Thai restaurant chef who died after he was struck by an SUV last August has settled its wrongful death lawsuit with former Minnesota Viking Joe Senser and his wife, Amy, attorneys announced late last week. The terms of their settlement were not disclosed to the public.

The settlement announcement came a day after Amy Senser, 45, was convicted of two felony counts of criminal vehicular homicide for the accident that killed Anousone Phanthavong, 38. Senser was driving her husband’s Mercedes when she hit Phanthavong as he was putting gas into his car on a dark freeway exit ramp.

The accident happened after Phanthavong pulled to the side of a highway exit ramp because his car ran out of gas. He was filling the gas tank when he was hit, but the driver who struck him failed to stop. Authorities asked for public’s help to find the driver responsible.
Almost one day later, criminal defense attorney Eric Nelson called authorities to inform them they could pick up the vehicle involved in the accident at the Sensers’ house. But the Sensers didn’t talk to police, which fueled speculation about who was driving and whether alcohol was involved at the time of the accident.

Over a week after that, Amy Senser finally admitted that she was responsible. She stated that she did not see the victim in the road and she thought she had hit a pothole or orange construction cone. Senser was convicted of leaving the scene of an accident and failure to promptly report an accident and vehicular homicide. At sentencing this July, she faces up to four years in prison.

Amy’s attorney said Thursday that he would appeal. He said Amy Senser “is not the type of person who would knowingly leave a man on the road to die.”

“While the settlement amount was confidential, it was “well over” the $50,000 claimed in the lawsuit. In Minnesota, plaintiffs are required to list whether damages will be more or less than $50,000, and an exact amount is determined at trial.”

If you or someone you know needs to file a wrongful death lawsuit, it would be in your best interest to speak with an experienced wrongful death lawyer. The Myrtle Beach wrongful death lawyers at The Mace Firm are ready to speak with you about your case. Call our Myrtle Beach attorneys today to schedule your free consultation.

$17 Million Boat Crash Settlement

Thu, 10 May 2012 09:53:30 -0500

The families of two Hungarian students killed two years ago when a tugboat-guided barge crashed into and sank their sightseeing boat in the Delaware River will split $15 million after a settlement was reached this week, just days into a federal wrongful-death trial that was expected to last a month.

Eighteen surviving passengers will share in $2 million in the deal, which was approved by a judge after two days of testimony. The victim’s families were "deeply grateful to the court for recognizing that their children were important and did not deserve to die in vain."

According to the lawsuit, “a tug pushed the 250-foot-long barge into and over a 33-foot-long duck boat as it sat idle and anchored in an active shipping lane along its route, sending 37 people into the river about 150 feet from the Philadelphia shoreline. Survivors were pulled from the murky water by firefighters, a passing ferry boat and bystanders who swam from shore.”
Their families filed a wrongful death lawsuits against K-Sea Transportation, of East Brunswick, N.J., which operated the tugboat guiding the barge up-river, and Ride the Ducks, of Norcross, Ga., which operated the tour boat.

However, before the wrongful death case could move forward, U.S. District Judge O'Neill had to determine whether a limit should be set on the financial liability of the two boat owners. K-Sea and Ride the Ducks, citing an 1851 maritime law, wanted their financial liability capped at the value of their vessels involved in the crash: $1.65 million for the tug and $150,000 for the duck boat. The Judge in this case asked the wrongful death attorneys to work out an agreement before the case would proceed.

"The families told us from the outset that they had a duty to honor their children and to do what they could to ensure that the lives of other children were not put at risk by unsafe operators of tourist boats, barges or tugboats," said another wrongful death attorney for the families, Peter Ronai.

Saratoga Springs Drowning Case

Fri, 04 May 2012 16:17:16 -0500

The parents of a Boston College honors student who drowned last year after binge drinking at Skidmore College have filed a $5 million wrongful death lawsuit against nine Saratoga County men for allegedly supplying or buying alcohol for their underage son.

At the time of his death in March 2011, Alexander Grant was 19 years old, the same age as his childhood friend, Michael Perlow, whom he was visiting at Skidmore during spring break, the civil action states. Skidmore prohibits students under 21 from drinking alcohol in dorms.
The suit was filed earlier this week by Kenneth and Deanna Grant of Westchester County on behalf of their son’s estate.

Four roommates and another man are being accused of buying the alcohol for the party. The civil action also alleges that the victim and his friend continued to drink at another party, and the suit names some hosts of that party as defendants.

Police were able to retrace some of Grant's final movements through video surveillance that showed him staggering outside the Saratoga Springs train station off West Avenue after he left the Church Street party by himself. He later stripped down to one sock, a shirt and shorts in frigid weather, broke into a medical office building on Care Lane, where he remained for about 35 minutes, before drowning in about 4 feet of water in Putnam Creek. The police probe revealed Grant had a blood alcohol content of 0.16 percent and low levels of marijuana in his system. His cause of death was asphyxia due to drowning with contributing factors of intoxication and probable hypothermia.

"By reason of the intoxication or impairment of Michael Perlow, Alexander Grant was placed in an unsafe and dangerous situation in that he was left alone and disoriented in an unfamiliar city, resulting in his tragic and horrifying death," the suit states.

Losing a loved one due to someone else’s negligence is extremely heartbreaking. Speaking with a good wrongful death attorney could help you and your family rest easier and receive the settlement you deserve. Call one of the Myrtle Beach lawyers at The Mace Firm to schedule your free consultation. Our experienced wrongful death lawyers in Myrtle Beach are ready to speak with you about your case.

Parents File Lawsuit Following Fatal Crash

Thu, 26 Apr 2012 11:21:44 -0500

The parents of an 11-year-old girl who was killed in February when a dump truck collided with her school bus have filed a lawsuit against both drivers and their employers. The civil suit was filed by Anthony and Susan Tezsla in Superior Court in Mount Holly. The suit seeks unspecified damages from the February 16 accident, which claimed the life of their triplet daughter, Isabelle, and resulted in serious injuries to her sisters, Sophie and Natalie.

The case involves a preventable tragedy where a speeding, overloaded dump truck failed to avoid a school bus filled with children and failed to observe oncoming traffic before attempting to cross a busy intersection. Most of the lawsuits claims are based on evidence released by police. The bus driver, John Tieman was cited for failing to stop or yield in connection with the collision. The truck driver, Michael Caporale, and the truck’s owner, Herman’s Trucking of Wrightstown, have been charged with violations surrounding the condition of the truck, which was overweight and had inadequate breaks. The truck’s load was also not secured properly.
Also named as defendants in the complaint are the bus company, Garden State Transportation of Southampton, and the construction companies, South State Inc. of Bridgeton, Cumberland County, and Wynham Construction LLC of Blackwood, Camden County, both of which operated a construction site where the dump truck was overloaded with asphalt before the accident.

The Tezslas’ complaint argues that the defendants were negligent in their daughter’s death and the injuries and trauma suffered by her sisters. It claims that the truck should not have been on the road because of its weight and condition, and that Caporale was driving at an excessive speed and was not paying attention to the dangers on the road.

Both drivers were properly licensed at the time of the accident, but the National Transportation Safety Board has said their training and experience would be examined as part of its investigation. Issues such as fatigue and driver distraction are also being examined, investigators said.

The injury lawsuit claims the surviving triplets’ injuries “may involve permanent loss of bodily function, permanent disfigurement or dismemberment.” It also claims Anthony and Susan Tezsla were initially notified that their daughters were all right before they arrived at the scene.

If you or someone you know has been injured in a car crash, you may need to speak with a good personal injury lawyer in your area. Call one of the experienced personal injury lawyers in Myrtle Beach. Our Myrtle Beach personal injury lawyers at The Mace Firm are ready to speak with you about your case.

Man and Bar Named in Wrongful Death Lawsuit

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 10:24:56 -0500

The estate of a man who died after he was punched in the face and hit his head on the bricks of Monument Square is suing his attacker and the bar that man patronized before their brief encounter.

Eric Benson's estate is suing William Googins and 42 Wharf Enterprises, which operates the Oasis. They are seeking unspecified damages for wrongful death and conscious pain and suffering.

The complaint filed last week in Cumberland County Superior Court accuses both defendants of negligence and recklessness -- Googins for the assault and the Oasis for allegedly serving alcohol to him even though he was underage and visibly intoxicated.

The complaint states that Googins was still intoxicated from the alcohol he was illegally served at the Oasis, but it does not state what happened in the bar before the altercation.

Benson, the victim, was 24 years old and getting ready to graduate from the University of Maine. He and a female friend crossed paths with Googins and two of his friends in Monument Square in the early morning of March 23, 2010. Googins' group made sexual advances toward the woman, who felt intimidated and stood behind her friend. Once Benson told Googins to leave, Googins punched Benson one time in the face. As a result, Benson fell and hit his head as Googins and his friends ran away. Benson subsequently died later that morning.

Googins is now 22 years old and an inmate at the Maine Correctional Center. He pleaded guilty to aggravated assault in an agreement that led to the dismissal of the manslaughter charge against him. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison, with all but 2.5 years suspended. He is expected to be released at the end of this summer, and will serve three years of probation and complete 400 hours of community service.

James Cloutier, the lawyer who handles corporate matters for the Oasis, said the business has "very rigorous procedures" to ensure that there's very little possibility of liquor law violations. He would not elaborate on the procedures. "The company evaluated the circumstances and does not believe it has a liability for the very unfortunate circumstances that led to this young man's death," Cloutier said.

If you or someone you know would like to file a wrongful death lawsuit, it would be a good decision to speak with an experienced wrongful death attorney in your area. The wrongful death lawyers in Myrtle Beach would like to speak with you about your case. Call one of the Myrtle Beach wrongful death lawyers at The Mace Firm to schedule your free consultation.

Dorm Room Fall

Thu, 19 Apr 2012 15:46:58 -0500

Four years ago, a freshman at Savannah College of Art and Design, Meagan Petry, leaned against a railing in her college dorm. The railing broke and she fell six stories to the ground.
“I remember I’m holding on to a post that’s left because the railing was broken,” she said. “I woke up in the hospital two weeks later.”

Four years and 21 surgeries later, Petry spoke publicly about her ordeal for the first time at a news conference at her personal injury attorney ’s office Thursday. Despite her injuries, which continue to affect her life, 22 year old Petry said she keeps a positive attitude.

During the fall, Petry sustained many injuries to her face, chest and legs which resulted in the student having to endure 21 surgeries. To this day, she still cannot run or jump. “Each time I get a surgery it’s hard,” she said. “Something is always changing. Something always comes up. I’m not done yet. My doctors told me I’ll never be done ever. I’ll always need something replaced.”

Petry’s attorneys filed a lawsuit in October 2009 in Chatham County, Ga., naming the college, and several companies who were responsible for overseeing the construction at the Turner House dormitory where she lived. The attorneys are seeking medical costs. Depositions continue and this case is planned to go to trial in early 2013.

If you or someone you know has been injured, you may need to speak with a good personal injury lawyer in your area. Speaking with an experienced personal injury attorney can help you and your family recover medical expenses and receive a settlement you deserve. Call one of the Myrtle Beach personal injury attorneys at The Mace Firm to schedule your free consultation.

Ford Motor Company Decision

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 11:10:38 -0500

A jury in Kansas has sided with Ford Motor Company, deciding that the company does not owe damages to a man who was severely burned in a car crash. The verdict was decided following a month-long trial. A state trooper, Michael Newton, and Michael Nolte were sitting in the trooper’s Crown Victoria patrol car on Interstate 70 when the vehicle was hit from behind by a truck. The patrol car burst into flames, killing the trooper and severely injuring Nolte. Newton had pulled Nolte over to give him a warning about driving too long in the passing lane. They were sitting in the trooper’s car when a truck towing a trailer at 65 mph ran into the car. The truck driver later said he was reaching for some sunglasses when he crashed.

Nolte’s injury attorneys asked the jury for more than $46 million in compensatory damages relating to this accident.

The jurors deliberated for close to 8 hours before returning the verdict. “While we are disappointed in the outcome, we still appreciate the hard work of the jury,” Grant Davis, one of the lawyers who represented Nolte.

The collision tore the car’s fuel filler tube, and the car burst into flames. Nolte suffered severe burns, spent 65 days in a hospital burn unit and has undergone skin grafts and surgeries. He will suffer pain for the rest of his life, suffers from post-traumatic stress, has difficulty sleeping because of the pain and has considered suicide, Davis told the jury.

“While Ford’s sympathies go out to the Nolte family, we agree with the jury that Ford should not be blamed for Mr. Nolte’s injuries,” said Jim Feeney, an attorney who represented Ford. “The true cause of this accident was the distracted driver of the 13,000-pound vehicle that ran into the parked police interceptor at 65 mph.”

“The Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor was designed to the highest rear-impact standards of any vehicle in the world,” he said after Monday’s verdict. “Ford has done all that is reasonable to reduce the risk of fire in its products, but no gas-powered vehicle is fireproof in such extreme collisions.”

If you or someone you know has been injured in a car crash, you will need to speak with a good personal injury lawyer in your area. The experienced Myrtle Beach injury attorneys at The Mace Firm are ready to speak with you about your case. Call one of the personal injury attorneys in Myrtle Beach to schedule your free consultation.

$8.25 Million Infant Wrongful Death Settlement

Fri, 13 Apr 2012 09:27:15 -0500

Chicago medical malpractice attorneys Patrick A. Salvi and Sarah A. Ferrill of Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C. have secured a record-setting $8.25 million settlement on behalf of a Chicago couple whose prematurely born son died at a Park Ridge hospital after receiving a lethal dose of sodium in his IV nutrient bag in the fall of 2010. The medical malpractice lawyers filed the wrongful death and negligence lawsuit on behalf of the infant’s parents, Fritzie and Cameron Burkett of Chicago. Their son, Genesis, died at Advocate Lutheran General Hospital on October 15, 2010.

The suit says that although born severely premature, Genesis was doing well, and was gradually improving. But on Oct. 15, 2010, he was given an IV bag that contained a fatal dose of sodium chloride — about 60 times the dose ordered by the physician, according to the suit. The infant went into cardiac arrest and as a result of the miscalculated IV solution, died.

“This unfortunate loss to a wonderful couple like the Burketts could have been avoided,” attorney Patrick Salvi said in a statement. “Thankfully, Genesis did not suffer at all before he died, but the Burketts will always feel the pain for his very avoidable death.”

The attorney noted that the hospital promptly investigated the death, learned of the error and advised the family. Advocate Lutheran also changed its policy to avoid future occurrences, Salvi said. The Law Division of the Cook County Circuit Court approved the settlement, which the attorney said “recognized in some small way the value of his life,” on Thursday morning.

If you or a family member would like to discuss a wrongful death lawsuit, call one of the Myrtle Beach wrongful death attorneys at The Mace Firm. Our experienced lawyers in Myrtle Beach are ready to speak with you about your wrongful death lawsuit today.

Lawsuit Blames Apple for Broken Nose

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 08:25:23 -0500

“Apple wants to be cool and modern and have the type of architecture that would appeal to the tech crowd,” said the plaintiff’s attorney (probably making air quotes around “cool,” “modern,” and “tech crowd,” at a minimum), “but on the other hand, they have to appreciate the danger that this high-tech modern architecture poses to some people.”

Such as his client, who walked into some of it and broke her nose.

83-year-old Evelyn Paswall alleges in her complaint that Apple “was negligent … in allowing a clear, see-through glass wall and/or door to exist without proper warning.” This negligence caused her injury, she claims, by leading her to walk directly into the wall and door on December 13, 2011.

The surprising part in this case isn’t the high injury lawsuit price, $1 Million, but the fact that she is blaming Apple for missing obvious signs that she was running into a building:

•Apple Stores traditionally have silver-gray metal handles on the doors, which contrast the see-through material.
•Apple Stores have their own tiling, which differs from the outside sidewalk that ends at the door.
•Apple Stores are well-lit places, giving the glass exterior a reflective shine and making it easier to see where a wall is located.

The facts just don’t add up, even for an elderly person. Considering we haven’t heard of many people running into Apple doors, it’s hard not to think that this isn’t a personal problem, not a design problem.

If your or someone you know has been injured, you may need to speak with a good personal injury attorney in your area. One of the experienced personal injury attorneys in Myrtle Beach at The Mace Firm is ready to speak with you about your case. Call a Myrtle Beach personal injury attorney to schedule your free consultation.

Fatal Crash on 501

Tue, 03 Apr 2012 14:53:38 -0500

Over the weekend, a crash happened in the northbound lanes of U.S. 501 when a commercial tractor-trailer approached the intersection on U.S. 501 near the outlet stores and struck an SUV from the rear. The SUV then hit a minivan that was in front of it. Inside the SUV's rear seat sat 4 year old Jada Bennett, who was apparently properly restrained by her car seat. Following the accident, Preliminary autopsy results showed Jada died from a head injury that caused massive trauma, Horry County Deputy Coroner Darris Fowler said.

"You could see this car that's literally a paper ball after the accident. A big Land Rover, I believe it was, and now it's a paper ball," said Libbie Larrimore, who went to the scene after she heard the accident from across the street.

An official with Horry County Fire Rescue told the WMBF News crew on scene that another child was transported by helicopter to MUSC. Three adults were transported to Grand Strand Regional Medical Center by ambulance with significant injuries. The South Carolina Highway Patrol is continuing to investigate this accident with their accident reconstruction team. Lance Cpl Sonny Collins said no charges have been filed at this time pending the conclusion of their investigation. Larrimore and other drivers say this accident highlights the many dangers of Highway 501.

Zumba Fitness of Myrtle Beach has planned a fundraiser for the Bennett family on Saturday, April 7 from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the Surfside Bowling Center.

If you or someone youknow has been injured in a car accident, you will need to speak with an experienced personal injury lawyer or wrongful death lawyer in your area. One of the lawyers in Myrtle Beach is ready to speak with you about your case. Call one of the Myrtle Beach attorneys to schedule your free consultation.

Death in Jail

Fri, 30 Mar 2012 10:35:18 -0500

Officials at a St. Louis hospital on Thursday defended their actions in the case of a homeless woman, Anna Brown, who sought treatment for a sprained ankle and died in police custody after being arrested for refusing to leave the emergency room. Brown's autopsy revealed that her jail cell death was caused by blood clots that formed in her legs and travelled to her lungs. Video footage of Brown's final moments show Brown being carried into a jail cell as she moaned and cried. Brown's family feels that she was treated unfairly and have hired a wrongful death attorney to help them with their wrongful death suit.

St. Mary's Health Center says its staff "followed medical guidelines and performed appropriate tests," acknowledging the “outrage being expressed in this tragic event.”

“Unfortunately, even with appropriate testing using sophisticated technology, blood clots can still be undetected in a small number of cases,” according to a statement released by St. Mary's Health Center. “The sad reality is that emergency departments across the country are often a place of last resort for many people in our society who suffer from complex social problems that become medical issues when they are not addressed. It is unfortunate that it takes a tragic event like this to call attention to a crisis in our midst.”

Brown went to three hospitals complaining of leg pain in the days leading up to her death, including her visit to St. Mary's that led to her arrest for trespassing. She was wheeled out in handcuffs after a doctor said she was healthy enough to go to jail.

"If the police killed my daughter, I want to know. If the hospital is at fault, I want to know," Brown's mother told the Post-Dispatch. "I want to be able to tell her children why their mother isn't here."

If you or a family member would like to discuss a wrongful death lawsuit, call one of the Myrtle Beach attorneys at The Mace Firm. Our experienced lawyers in Myrtle Beach are ready to speak with you about your wrongful death lawsuit today.

Motorcycle Crash Lawsuit

Fri, 23 Mar 2012 08:46:18 -0500

The city of Columbia is paying $1.4 million to settle a wrongful death lawsuit brought by the family of a Centralia man who was killed in 2010 after he crashed his motorcycle into a city bus. The city reached a deal last month with the family of Michael Heaston, 34, who died a day after his Harley-Davidson struck the side of a city bus at Vandiver Drive and Burlington Street. The wrongful death attorneys who represented the family will receive more than $450,000 in legal fees, according to the settlement.

The lawsuit alleged that the bus driver, Archie Smith Jr, was careless and negligent during the operation of the bus. Smith was driving southbound when he attempted to make a left-hand turn onto an eastbound lane. He told investigators that he stopped at the stop sign but did not see Heaston when he pulled out. Smith said he then heard a screeching sound and a loud bang before he looked to his left and saw Heaston on the road.

Smith was convicted of careless and imprudent driving for his involvement and was sentenced to six months in the Boone County Jail. The execution of the sentence was suspended in exchange for two years of unsupervised probation.

The following are some tips to stay safe when you ride a motorcycle:

- Remember that motorists often have trouble seeing motorcycles and reacting in time.
- Make sure your headlight works and is turned on day and night.
- Use reflective strips or decals on your clothing and on your motorcycle.
- Be aware of the blind spots that cars and trucks have.
- Flash your brake light when you are slowing down and before stopping.
- If a motorist doesn't see you, use your horn.
- Give yourself time and space to respond to other motorists actions.
- Watch for turning vehicles.
- Ride in the part of the lane where you are most visible.

If someone you know has been injured or killed in a car crash, you may need to consult with an experienced personal injury lawyer or wrongful death lawyer. Call one of our lawyers in Myrtle Beach to schedule your free consultation.

Virginia Tech Wrongful Death Lawsuit

Thu, 15 Mar 2012 09:00:31 -0500

Families of two victims of the 2007 Virginia Tech shootings will receive $8 million in a wrongful death lawsuit, a jury ruled Wednesday. The suit, brought by relatives of slain students Erin Peterson and Julia Pryde, alleged Virginia Tech officials were negligent in taking too long to notify the campus that a gunman was on the loose.

The 2007 Virginia Tech massacre began when two students were shot and killed in a dorm room. School officials failed to alert the campus because they felt the shootings were "an isolated incident." Later, VT student Seung-Hui Cho gunned down 30 more people, including Peterson and Pryde, before turning the gun on himself. It was the deadliest school shooting in U.S. history. Attorneys for the school argued that there was no evidence that a warning would have changed what happened that day and that no one could have foreseen Cho's massacre.

Jurors deliberated for more than three hours Wednesday before siding with the victims’ families, MSNBC reports. Each family will receive $4 million from the state of Virginia, because Virginia Tech is a state university. Attorneys representing the state quickly filed a motion to decrease the Virginia Tech lawsuit award, citing a state law that caps jury awards at $100,000. Attorneys are arguing that the jurors were not instructed about the cap.

If a family member or someone who supports you has been killed because of negligence, product liability, or violence, you might be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit to recover damages for lost care, support, benefits, inheritance, and more. Since every state law is different, it is very important to know what your state’s law on wrongful death is. Applying the law can be complicated, and the best way to be sure you are protecting your rights is to consult with an wrongful death lawyer in your state.

Call one of the experienced Myrtle Beach attorneys at The Mace Firm to schedule your free consultation. Our lawyers in Myrtle Beach are ready to speak with you about your case.