St. Louis Father Blames Area Haunted House Attraction for Teen Daughter’s Death

So-called ‘haunted houses’ are an increasingly popular attraction for teens and young adults in many parts of the United States, but a recent lawsuit claims that the quest for Halloween thrills turned deadly for one Missouri teen.

When 15-year-old Brittney Holmes made a trip to the St. Louis area establishment known as The Darkness in October 2009, her family claims that she wasn’t aware that the attraction was filled with smoke and fog that could potentially aggravate her chronic respiratory condition. She suffered a severe asthma attack after leaving the haunted house, after which she lapsed into a persistent vegetative state due to a lack of oxygen. After languishing in a coma for a year with no significant change in her condition, Brittney Holmes passed away in November 2010. The Holmes family has filed multiple lawsuits in the case.

Have you or a loved suffered injury, illness, or even death due to another’s carelessness? We can help. Contact the California premises liability attorneys at The Heller Law Firm for a free consultation, or call us direct at 866-461-5791. You will hear from us either the same day or within 24 hours.

New York Man Injured by Falling AC Unit Files $21 Million Lawsuit

67-year-old East Village resident Anthony Franzese was taking a break while walking his dog when a 45-pound window air conditioning unit fell six stories from his own building, bounced off the awning of a neighboring restaurant, and landed on his head, causing a fractured skull, a concussion, and permanent neurological damage. Later, when Franzese was undergoing emergency surgery related to his injuries, he experienced a heart attack and lapsed into a temporary coma. In a lawsuit stemming from the incident, Franzese claims that the window AC units were improperly secured and did not use the properly rated brackets. Franzese is seeking $21 million in compensation in the case.

Have you or a family member suffered injuries as a result of shoddy workmanship, defective products, or repairs that weren’t up to code? If so, we can help you understand your legal options. Contact the Los Angeles premises liability attorneys at The Heller Law Firm for a free consultation, or call us direct at 866-461-5791. You will hear from us either the same day or within 24 hours.

Wrongful Death Suit Over Concert Shooting Settled

Thomas Holmes wasn’t expecting to get involved in a gunfight when he settled in to enjoy a live musical performance at the Granby Theater in Norfolk, Virginia in March 2007 – but that’s exactly what happened. After a dispute with a fellow concertgoer, Holmes was shot several times, sustained major injuries, and soon fell into a persistent vegetative state from which he never recovered. He died two years later. The wrongful death suit brought against the club owners by Holmes’ surviving family members resulted in a settlement of more than $1 million, some of which will be placed into a trust fund for Holmes’ young son, Dominic.

If a loved one or family member has been injured or killed, we can help you weigh your legal options. Contact the wrongful death attorneys at The Heller Law Firm for a free consultation, or call us direct at 866-461-5791. You will hear from us either the same day or within 24 hours.

Fall at Salt Lake City Airport Prompts Lawsuit

Returning home for the holidays should be a joyous affair, but the trip turned painful for flight attendant Natalie Maxwell. After completing her work duties and leaving the Salt Lake City airport on the day before Christmas Eve, 2008, Maxwell took a spill on an icy sidewalk outside the terminal. The fall resulted in severe injuries, including a traumatic brain injury that has rendered it impossible for Maxwell to carry on with her professional and personal life in the manner she was accustomed to before the fall. At the current juncture, the dollar amount being sought in the case has not been named.

If you or a family member has been injured in a fall, let us help you determine the best course of action. Contact the premises liability attorneys at The Heller Law Firm for a free consultation, or call us direct at 866-461-5791. You will hear from us either the same day or within 24 hours.

Chocolate Plant Death Leads to Lawsuit

The surviving family members of a New Jersey plant worker who died after falling into an industrial-sized vat of cocoa have filed suit against the companies that operate the facility, Lyons & Sons Inc. and Cocoa Services. Vincent Smith, who was a temporary worker at the plant, died on July 8, 2009. While feeding ingredients into the vat, Smith fell into the 8-foot container and was struck on the head by a large rotating blade that is used to mix the cocoa. Smith's family claims that the lack of guardrails and other safety equipment in the area around the vat created unsafe working conditions.

Have you or a loved one sustained an injury due to another's negligence? If so, we can help guide you through your legal options. Contact the attorneys at The Heller Law Firm for a free consultation, or call us directly at 866-461-5791. You will hear from us either the same day or within 24 hours.

Florida Court Affirms $5.75 Million Settlement in Drowning Case

Several families vacationing in Florida on February 20, 1997, were struck by tragedy when powerful winds generated deadly rip currents, resulting in the drowning deaths of jazz guitarist and father Zachary Breaux and the 66-year-old woman he tried to rescue, Eugenie Poleyeff.

The wrongful death suits filed by both families after the incident contended that the area’s city-managed beaches should have been staffed with lifeguards who could have posted warning flags when water conditions grew dangerous. In a recent phase of the ten-year-long legal proceedings, a previously awarded verdict of $5.75 million was upheld in federal court. The case also impacted Florida’s beach safety procedures in a separate Supreme Court ruling.

Have you or your family been impacted by negligence on the part of a municipality or government agency? If so, we can help. Contact the attorneys at The Heller Law Firm for a free consultation, or call us direct at 866-461-5791. You will hear from us either the same day or within 24 hours.

Indiana Bridge Collapse Prompts Lawsuits

A small-town Fourth of July celebration took a catastrophic turn when a pedestrian bridge collapsed, plunging over 50 townspeople who had gathered to watch a fireworks display into a lake. Multiple lawsuits have now been filed in the case, many of which have claimed that municipal officials acted negligently by allowing too many people to mount the small bridge. Plaintiff Treneice Campbell suffered some of the most severe injuries, including a spinal fracture that has required her to use a wheelchair.

If you or a loved one has been injured as a result of someone else’s poor judgment or negligence, we can walk you through your legal options. Contact the attorneys at The Heller Law Firm for a free consultation, or call us direct at 866-461-5791. You will hear from us either the same day or within 24 hours.

Injuries Sustained in Fall Spark Lawsuit Against Municipality

When 25-year-old Des Moines, Iowa resident Timothy DeLong left his home to take a short walk to a corner convenience store, he certainly didn’t expect to end up paralyzed and suffering from extreme cognitive impairment. Unfortunately, after a 25-foot fall through a hole in a pedestrian bridge, that’s exactly what happened. DeLong’s parents filed a lawsuit against the city government, claiming negligence in the upkeep and maintenance of the bridge. The case was recently settled for $2.6 million.

If you’ve sustained an injury due to another’s negligence, count on us to help you figure out your next step. Contact the attorneys at The Heller Law Firm for a free consultation, or call us direct at 866-461-5791. You will hear from us either the same day or within 24 hours.

Greasy Floor Prompts Slip-and-Fall Lawsuit in Missouri

Although a wet floor warning sign was posted in the soda fountain area of the O’Fallon, Missouri location of Penn Station East Coast Subs, customer Randa Carr slipped and fell when she entered the area to refill her beverage. She claims that the wet floor sign was insufficient warning, as the area had been cleaned with a grease-coated mop that left the floor slick and much more dangerous to traverse than if it had merely been wet. Carr’s lawsuit asks for at least $100,000 in damages.

Have you or a family member taken a nasty spill due to unsafe conditions? If so, you need the advice of an experienced team of personal injury lawyers. Contact the attorneys at The Heller Law Firm for a free consultation, or call us direct at 866-461-5791. You will hear from us either the same day or within 24 hours.

Boat Rental Shop Named in Wrongful Death Case

Chicago resident J.C. Trotter died earlier this summer in a drowning accident. Trotter and his party were fishing on a river that had been declared too dangerous for public use in the aftermath of storms and flooding. Trotter’s estate has claimed that the boat shop that rented a fishing boat to the party is negligent, as shop personnel did not inform the men that boating and swimming had been temporarily suspended in the area. The lawsuit asks for at least $50,000 in damages.

Have you lost a loved one as a result of another’s negligence? Let us help you explore your legal options. Contact the attorneys at The Heller Law Firm for a free consultation, or call us direct at 866-461-5791. You will hear from us either the same day or within 24 hours.

Last-Minute Settlement in Hotel Electric Shock Case

When a 47-year-old commercial airline pilot decided to take a hot shower in his Virginia Beach hotel room before taking off on another long day of flying, he certainly wasn’t expecting to receive an electrical shock that would essentially put an end to his decades-long career. An exposed light bulb near the shower stall emitted a strong shock after being splashed with water from the shower, and when the pilot’s hand accidentally grazed the bulb, he received a shock so powerful that he was temporarily knocked unconscious. Later, it was found that the shock had caused irreparable damage to his optic nerve and vision acuity, rendering him unqualified for continued service as a pilot. After a trial, the parties settled for $1.5 million before the jury could return a verdict in the case.

If you or a loved one has suffered as a result of someone else’s negligence, we can help you choose the best path forward. Contact the attorneys at The Heller Law Firm for a free consultation, or call us direct at 866-461-5791. You will hear from us either the same day or within 24 hours.

Florida Man Injured in McDonald’s Stickup Attempt Files Suit

John Mario, 59, was shot in the head during an aborted robbery attempt at a Port St. Lucie, Florida McDonald’s in early 2006. As Mario and his wife sat in their car in the parking lot, an area resident accosted them with a gun and demanded money. In a struggle for the gun, the weapon discharged, resulting in a serious head wound. Mario claims that restaurant management was aware of a crime problem in the neighborhood and failed to provide adequate security. He is asking for compensation for medical costs and damages of more than $15,000 in the case.

If negligence has caused you or a family member to suffer harm, you need the advice of an experienced team of personal injury attorneys. Contact the attorneys at The Heller Law Firm for a free consultation, or call us direct at 866-461-5791. You will hear from us either the same day or within 24 hours.