Wrongful death lawsuit filed against former Franklin County Sheriff Ewell Hunt - www.roanoke.comThe suit contends that Ewell Hunt and two deputies failed to protect Chad English. Ewell Hunt, the former Franklin County sheriff, and two of his deputies failed to heed an informant's tip that might have prevented the murder of a 19-year-old man, according to a wrongful death lawsuit filed Wednesday.
Mayo Clinic wrongful death trial beginsA 13-year-old girl's death after surgery at Saint Marys Hospital in 2009 is at issue in a wrongful death trial that started Monday, May 14, in Olmsted County District Court.
Michelle Elizabeth Meade Killed in Single-Vehicle Accident in San Antonio, Texas
Local reports indicate a woman was killed after her vehicle left the
roadway and struck a VIA bus stop shelter. The accident occurred around
2:30 a.m. when 32-year-old Michelle Elizabeth Meade struck the shelter,
ejecting her from the vehicle and the becoming pinned by the vehicle in a
private parking lot. The San Antonio police report states the woman had
been drinking and authorities believe that may have been a cause of the
accident.
Commentary I would
guess some of you are wondering how this tragedy is blog-worthy, being
that this is a single-vehicle accident. Well, the timing and nature of
this accident strikes me as an opportunity to discuss how intricate
single-vehicle accidents and subsequent investigations really turn out.
An independent investigation is needed to determine all liability in
this matter. The drinking aside for a moment, I will say that my firm
has litigated several single-vehicle wrecks where mechanical failure
caused the accident. An expert in the field is needed to determine if
all parts were functioning properly, prior to the wreck. Just one
failure of any number of systems could implicate a manufacturer in a
wrongful death claim. Now discussing the alleged alcohol usage,
there is another third party potential. I mentioned earlier the timing
of the accident could imply the woman had just left a bar or restaurant
after its closing. The state of Texas has in place what are called dram
shop laws that could place partial liability on an alcohol-serving
establishment. The laws seek to balance the interests of patrons with
the bar's interest in making a profit off of them. Dram shop in no way
removes fault from the driver, but rather is a tool used to hold these
places accountable to the rules set forth by the TABC. In this state, it
is a privilege, not a right, to hold a liquor license, and part of this
privilege is abiding by the patron intoxication rule. Again, a
driver who chooses to drink and drive should hold great fault in an
accident, but dram shop is used to also hold establishments accountable
who serve patrons past the point of intoxication, creating a very
dangerous environment for everyone.
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