Saint Louis Today has reported that a former beer baron has agreed to pay $1.5 million to settle a suit on behalf of an eight-year-old boy who lost his mother in a drug overdose in his mansion.
According to court records, the woman, A.M., allegedly took the fatal dose at A.B.’s mansion in Huntleigh. The two were involved in a romantic relationship.
The settlement is due for a judicial review in May. It was negotiated between A.B.’s attorneys and K.M.
K.M. is the ex-husband of A.M., 27, and the father of her child, B.M.
The lawsuit alleges that A.B. was negligent in the death of A.M. K.M. is seeking damages for their son.
The boy lives in Cape Girardeau, Mo., and the motion for judicial approval was filed there on April 15.
Judge William Syler will be deciding whether to allocate a portion of the proceeds to A.M.’s parents, and if approved, if the settlement is in the best interest of the child.
The St. Louis attorney representing A.B., Maurice B. Graham, said that the settlement his client offered is not the same thing as an admission of negligence. He said, “Mr. (A.B.) has made a decision to put this behind him and to avoid lengthy litigation, but most importantly, to help (B.M.).
He does not feel he has any responsibility for (A.M.) unfortunate death, but he does feel strongly he wants to help this young man. He is concerned, however, that (B.M.’s) grandparents are seeking to receive part of the settlement intended for (B.M.).”
Other parties that have laid claim to the settlement that the judge will be considering include A.M.’s father, G.E. – who was estranged from her in her adult years – who claims that he has been deprived of his daughter’s “companionship, comfort, instruction, guidance, counsel and training of (A.M.)”
A.M.’s mother, D.T. has also allegedly sought custody of her grandson, per the media, but has yet to take any action in that regard.
A veteran wrongful death lawyer in St. Louis, Donald Schlapprizzi, not involved in this case, said that the settlement proposal seems “fair” and appeared to be “generous, but not overly generous.”
Legal experts state that wrongful death settlements paid to surviving children are substantially greater than those paid to surviving parents.
A probate court would oversee any settlement paid to B.M.
Per authorities, A.M. died on December 19 due to an accident – she had a hole in her nasal septum that would indicate “several months to a year of cocaine use.” Her autopsy showed that an overdose of the painkiller oxycodone was the cause of her death.
Also, per officials, there were deadly levels of cocaine found in her blood.
Neither A.B. nor A.M. had a prescription for oxycodone use.
Robert P. McCulloch, the St. Louis Prosecuting Attorney, said that there was no information to base a prosecution in the matter as the cause of death was ruled accidental.
A.B. earns $120,000 a month as a consultant, and earned $100 million from the 2008 sale of his beer company.
Loosing a loved one in a wrongful death is grounds for a lawsuit and monetary compensation. Contact a personal injury lawyer soon to discuss your case and the ramifications of your tremendous loss.