Wrongful Death Settlement: Families of Nursing Home Residents Killed in Bus Fire During Hurricane Rita Awarded $80 Million
The families of the 23 nursing home residents that died in a bus fire during Hurricane Rita will receive $80 million for their wrongful deaths. The plaintiffs had accused Sunrise Senior Living Services of McLean, the owner of the nursing home Brighton Gardens, of negligence due to its alleged failure to properly screen Global Limo Inc, which provided the bus that proved to be unsafe.
The nursing home residents were killed in 2005 when the bus that was evacuating them from Hurricane Rita caught fire. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, insufficient lubrication of a rear axle was the probable cause of the deadly bus accident. The axle overheated and caused the wheel well to catch fire, which then spread onto the bus.
Among the defendants that settled were bus maker Motor Coach Industries, axle and rear wheel assembly designer ArvinMeritor Inc, component maker SKF Industries, Global Charter, the Bus Bank, Global Limo, Valley Volvo, and K & S Towing. The families of the deceased nursing home workers claim that MCI and the component manufactures were aware that there was a defect in the hub and axle system that could cause personal injuries.
There are other defendants that have yet to settle the wrongful death claims against them and a civil trial is scheduled for September.
Nursing Home Negligence
If someone you love died while under the supervision of a nursing home because the long-term care facility failed in some way to provide the proper care and protection, you may have grounds for filing an Illinois nursing home neglect complaint for personal injury or wrongful death. In the event that other parties can be held liable, you may also be able to sue for Illinois personal injury or wrongful death.
Settlement over Hurricane Rita bus fire brings closure, Chron.com, June 4, 2009
Hurricane Rita Bus Fire Families Settle Lawsuits, CBS11tv.com, June 4, 2009
Related Web Resource:
Hurricane Rita Evacuee Bus From Texas Explodes, Firehouse.com, September 23, 2005
