Casey & Devoti Settle Dram Shop Law Car Crash Case
ST. LOUIS, Sept. 2, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Casey & Devoti, a personal injury law firm, recently settled a wrongful death car crash case for $375,000. Attorneys represented the four minor children of Jackelin Rincon, who was killed in a 2-vehicle crash in St. Francois County in 2011. Rincon was a passenger in a vehicle driven by Jeremy Hansell, who at the time of the crash, had a blood alcohol content of .252. Hansell drove the wrong way and crashed head-on into a truck killing Rincon and the driver of the truck.
Casey & Devoti Partner, Matthew Devoti served as lead counsel and was assisted by Jackie Gonz of the Jacquelyn S. Gonz Law Firm LLC of Ste. Genevieve.
The $375,000 settlement arose from two separate liable parties. First, plaintiff's attorneys received the policy limits from Hansell's insurance carrier ($25,000 per person). Second, under Missouri's Dram Shop Law, attorneys demanded the commercial policy limit of Hub's Pub, the bar in Bonne Terre, Missouri, where Hansell drank to excess prior to the crash. The attorneys and Hub's Pub mediated their case before retired Judge Brendan Ryan and settled on $350,000 for each victim killed in the crash. The settlement was approved by presiding Judge Sandy Martinez.
Dram shop liability refers to laws governing the liability of taverns and liquor stores that serve alcoholic beverages. Missouri's dram shop law only allows for recovery when the establishment knew (or should have known) the customer was visibly intoxicated and continued to serve the customer intoxicating liquor.
Through the testimony of a Hub's Pub bartender and bouncer, attorneys showed that these employees should have known Hansell was visibly intoxicated, but continued to serve him an excessive amount of intoxicating liquors during his time at Hub's Pub.
For over 30 years, Casey & Devoti has diligently protected the rights of its clients with honesty and integrity. We provide individuals and small companies with first-class, professional and aggressive legal representation. Casey & Devoti proudly serves the greater St. Louis metropolitan area, southeastern Missouri and southern Illinois. Learn more at www.caseydevoti.com.
Attorney Jackie Gonz of the Jacquelyn S. Gonz Law Firm LLC has over 23 years of experience representing clients in their time of crisis. A southeastern Missouri native, Jackie specializes in family law, criminal defense and personal injury. Learn more at www.jackiegonzlaw.com.
Contact:
Lara Vitiello
(314) 409-0996
[email protected]
SOURCE Casey & Devoti
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