Personal Injury Law

McDonald?s Restaurant Makes National Headlines As Golden Arches Crush Suburban Chicago Couple Seated in Car in Parking Lot

A senior suburban Chicago couple sustained multiple injuries on Wednesday when the SUV they were sitting in while parked at a McDonald?s was struck by a giant set of Golden Arches. Strong Arizona winds reportedly blew the trademark ?M? sign from the top of a pole located across the street from the popular fast food restaurant.

The couple, Carolyn and Russell Janke, was knocked unconscious. Rescue crews had to cut Carolyn from the SUV, which sustained serious property damage from what officials are calling a ?freak accident.?

Carolyn is reportedly in critical condition. She reportedly fractured her sternum and her spinal column. Meantime, Russell was struck in the head and needed over 70 stitches.

The couple's daughter-in-law, Ann Janke, wants to know why the sign wasn?t better secured. The Jankes, a Naperville couple, had been returning from their winter home in Arizona to their residence in the Chicago suburbs.

Restaurants, cafeterias, fast food restaurants, and other eateries are supposed to make sure that there are no hazardous conditions on their premises that could injure or kill patrons. This includes making sure that there are no slippery substances on the floor that people might slip and fall over, there is adequate lighting, food is prepared under sanitary conditions and is properly cooked, the security on the premise is adequate so that no violent crimes can take place, and any existing hazards are remedied, repaired, or removed.

When failure to execute these duties of care result in injury or death, the restaurant owner, the management company, and other responsible parties can be held liable for premises liability.

Naperville couple hurt in 'freak accident': McDonald's sign in Arizona falls on their SUV amid heavy winds, Chicago Tribune, April 17, 2009

McDonald's golden arches topple in Arizona high winds, crush Naperville couple, Chicago-Sun TImes, April 17, 2009

Related Web Resources:
Premises Liability Overview, Justia

Full post as published by Chicago Injury Attorney Blog on April 17, 2009 (boomark / email).