A wrongful death lawsuit seeking $10,000 in compensatory damages, that had named several defendants for their responsibility in the death of a teenager after a large high school graduation party, has been settled according to The Dispatch.
Plaintiff's attorney, John Vermitsky, announced that L.C., mother of deceased S.M.L.C., had included the man that killed her daughter in the lawsuit.
The suit had been filed in the Civil Division of Davidson County Superior Court in April 2011.
M.C. pleaded guilty to second-degree murder – he had hit S.M.L.C. with a paving stone after she left the party – and has been sentenced to up to 15 ½ years in prison.
Named in the suit, followed by M.C., were both students that attended the party and the homeowner that failed to supervise their actions. The group of defendants included E.C., K.H., K.C.P., J.T.P., A.C.E., T.L.P., K.L.C., R.S.M. and C.G.
M.C., along with mother and son K.C.P. and J.T.P., settled this August with L.H.C. Confidentiality agreements do not allow for the disclosure of the settlement amounts.
Vermitsky commented, "I think it was a very successful outcome for my clients, and I think they got a good result considering the circumstances. But the reason that we sort of stopped it when we did was that we really didn't want to put the family through an entire trial, which is what it would have turned into."
Through their attorney, L.C. and her husband M.C. released a statement that partially read, "My family and I are relieved that this ordeal has concluded…The message I would like to express is that parents are responsible for children who attend functions at their home or under their supervision. It is their duty to provide order and safety at their home. Also that social bullying is a threat to teenagers in this day and time…My family had to pursue the civil suit because we were not satisfied that justice would be done…We were concerned that her death would not serve a higher purpose of protecting other children and families…I would never want another parent or sibling to have to endure the heartache we have suffered..."
On August 7, 2010, S.M.L.C. died after being struck in the midsection with a paving stone flung by M.C. She languished for several hours after the attack before she was taken to Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem.
Prior to her death, S.M.L.C. had attended a party hosted by K.P. and J.P. to celebrate the graduation of K.P.'s daughter L.P. Allegedly alcohol was served to the underage guests, some of which was purchased by K.P. and J.P. Also alleged was the use of illegal drugs, an unsupervised bonfire of lawn furniture, threatening language and drinking games.
K.C.P. and J.T.P. were named for their failure in supervising the illegal activities at the party, and for not stepping in as situations escalated.
A case of wrongful death involves loosing a loved one after a preventable accident. Contact a personal injury lawyer to file your lawsuit and settle for damages if this has happened to someone in your family!