Premises Liability Cases
After leaving work one evening, Katoria Lee, and her young son, stopped at a Wal-Mart just after 1:30 am to pick up groceries. As she was returning to her vehicle with her groceries, Ms. Lee was shot in the back by a car jacker, who was trying to steal her car with her son still inside. Mr. Jones’ firm filed suit against Wal-Mart and the assailant, Eric Riggins. Evidence was developed that, despite notice of numerous other crimes in the parking lot, Wal-Mart failed to provide adequate security to its costumers. In addition, the firm further discovered that Wal-Mart had destroyed a surveillance videotape of the incident after being put on notice of Ms. Lee’s claims. Ms. Lee’s story was featured in the movie “Wal-Mart – The High Cost of Low Prices” by Brave New Films.Following a 7 day trial, the jury entered a verdict in favor of Ms. Lee for $4.2 million.
Gutkowski v. Hilton
Mrs. Gutkowski’s husband, Ronald, was brutally murdered in his Hilton Hotel room, by Timothy Dawson, in a crime that shocked the city of Atlanta and made statewide headlines. On behalf of Mrs. Gutkowski, Mr. Jones’ firm sued Hilton Hotels due to the inadequate security that allowed Mr. Dawson to gain access to Mr. Gutkowski’s hotel room. Aggressive litigation by Mr. Jones resulted in a substantial confidential sum being paid to Ms. Gutkowski by Hilton.
Carrol v. Atlanta County Zoo
Ms. Carroll was walking on uneven pavement, fell, and sustained serious injury while at the Fulton County Zoo in Atlanta, GA. Mr. Jones determined that Zoo employees had knowledge of the poor condition of the pavement and knew that it was unsafe. Mr. Jones secured a substantial settlement for the client.
Mr. Jones was able to secure a settlement in the amount of $400,000.
Savage v. Hilton Hotel Corporation
William Savage, a Federal Express pilot, slipped and severely injured his knee while walking into the lobby of the Atlanta Hilton Hotel. The tile floor where Mr. Savage fell had just been waxed and buffed by employees of Crystal Building Services which was responsible for the cleaning and maintenance of the floors. Crystal’s employee failed to put out the appropriate warning cones and failed to alert Mr. Savage to the hazardous condition. Mr. Jones’ firm hired an industrial safety expert who testified that the area was inappropriately cordoned off and an inadequate number of warning cones had been deployed. As a result of his injuries, Mr. Savage had to have to have surgery on his knee, and was left with a permanent disability. After a lengthy discovery and several depositions, the case was settled for a confidential amount at mediation.
Daniel Helm was sent by his employer to build an office inside the manufacturing plant of Smith Ironworks, Inc. The plant manager at Smith Ironworks failed to tell Mr. Helm that there were exposed steel power cables near the ceiling of the plant. Those cables conducted 480 volts of electricity. After the office was partially complete, Mr. Helm was standing on top of the office and came in contact with the cables. He was electrocuted and died as a result. The firm uncovered evidence that, months prior to the incident, Smith Ironworks had solicited bids to replace the power cables with safer insulated cables. Shortly before trial, Smith Ironworks agreed to pay the Helm family $1.8 million.
