Personal Injury Law

Chicago Cubs Sued for Illinois Wrongful Death Over Fatal 2007 Wall Collapse Accident

The family of 21-year-old Alex Drews is suing the Chicago Cubs for wrongful death and negligence. Drews died from injuries he sustained on August 31, 2007 when a cinder-block and steel wall fell on him.

Drews had run into the lee of an outbuilding on Cubs property because a storm had broken while he was walking and that is where the wall crushed him. Drew?s family says that his death could have been prevented if only the outbuilding, scheduled for demolition, had been removed before the Cook County premises liability accident happened. The outbuilding, a former carwash, has been used to store the bicycles of fans during game days.

The Chicago wrongful death lawsuit is seeking unspecified damages. The plaintiffs say that they spent almost $500,000 in medical bills while doctors tried to save Drew. The family?s wrongful death lawyer says that negotiations to reach an out-of-court settlement ended after the Chicago Cubs walked away from the table.

The 21-year-old died 8 days after the injury accident. Autopsy results show that Drew died from a broken neck and a fractured skull.

Premises Liability
A premise owner must make sure that there is nothing on the property that can cause serious injury or death to others. This includes making sure that any hazards are repaired or removed from the premise and that there are no other unsafe conditions that could harm a patron, visitor, guest, or another person that sets foot on the grounds. Failure to ensure this duty of can be grounds for a Chicago, Illinois premises liability case.

Cubs sued in 2007 death near Wrigley Field, Chicago Tribune, August 22, 2009

Cubs sued after car wash collapses, kills man in 2007, Chicago Sun-Times, August 21, 2009

Related Web Resources:
The Official Site of the Chicago Cubs

Proving Fault in Accidents on Dangerous or Defective Property, Nolo

Full post as published by Chicago Injury Attorney Blog on August 26, 2009 (boomark / email).