Personal Injury Law

Man Paralyzed in Illinois Motor Vehicle Accident Settles Personal Injury Lawsuit Against Defendant Whose Kids Held Drinking Party at Her Home

A man who became paralyzed in an Illinois motor vehicle accident after he attended an underage drinking party will receive a $2.5 million personal injury settlement for his catastrophic injuries. George Baldwin, now 22, was just 19 when the deadly accident happened.

Baldwin and his friend, William Klairmont, then 18, had gone to the home of Lauralee Pfeifer to visit her two teenage daughters, then 16 and 17. They drank beer in the girls? bedroom.

After leaving Pfeifer?s home, Klairmont, who was drunk, lost control of his vehicle, which he crashed into a utility box. Baldwin suffered serious injuries that have left him paralyzed from the waist down. Klairmont was also injured in the Illinois auto crash.

By settling the case, Pfeifer, who did not provide the alcohol or even know the teens were drinking in her house, is not admitting to any wrongdoing for the tragic accident. However, Baldwin?s Illinois personal injury lawyer says that if she had been properly supervising the teenagers, she would have realized that they were drinking. Her daughters had been caught drinking alcohol in the past.

Baldwin also has filed an Illinois motor vehicle accident lawsuit against Klairmont for driving the vehicle while he was drunk. That case will go to trial next month.

Paralysis
Paralysis occurs when there is loss of muscle function in a part of the body. This can happen when the brain and muscles are unable to communicate with one another.

Kinds of Paralysis:
Paraplegia: Paralysis occurs in the lower half of the body.
Quadriplegia: Complete paralysis of the legs, arms, and trunk.

If you were seriously injured in an Illinois auto accident, there may be more than one party who can be held financially liable for your injuries.

Young man paralyzed in crash after underage drinking party settles lawsuit against Lake Forest homeowner, Chicago Tribune, February 12, 2009

N. Shore mom to pay $2.5 mil. for underage drinking party, Sun Times, February 12, 2009

Related Web Resource:
State Profiles of Underage Drinking Laws, Alcohol Policy Information System

Full post as published by Chicago Injury Attorney Blog on February 12, 2009 (boomark / email).