The Westin Peachtree Plaza in downtown Atlanta is a fixture amid the skyline with a lengthy list of amenities. The site spans over 80,000 square feet and stands over 70 floors tall. The Sun Dial restaurant is unique because it rotates, offering dining guests a spectacular 360-degree overview of the city. In a bizarre sequence of events, this venue has endured three tragedies recently, which are all currently civil matters of wrongful death.
Sun Dial Restaurant Death
A 5-year old Charlotte, NC boy was dining with his parents at the Sun Dial in April and became trapped between a table and an adjacent wall as the restaurant was rotating. The boy had wandered away from the table and after becoming lodged and the floor safety system shut off automatically as intended. His body was severely compressed and he was rushed to the hospital where he later died.
Fatal Accident at Swimming Pool
A 10-year boy fell into the hotel pool while a guest at a birthday celebration at the Westin Peachtree Plaza. He was pulled from the water and rushed to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, but died days later. The parents of Steven Akinlabi say hotel management was negligent and filed a civil suit in the State Court of Clayton County. The hotel is accused of a maintenance failure regarding the pool’s water and lighting, as well as an inability to render necessary emergency aid in the suit. The plaintiffs are requesting a jury trial and damages for medical bills, funeral costs, and possibly punitive damages.
Accidental Death of Employee
In March 2016, Carolyn Robinson, a 61-year old Sun Dial kitchen worker, died after being locked in a freezer. Another employee found Robinson, who was a 35 year veteran of the Westin. A company spokesperson says that the locking mechanism appeared to be working fine after the Medical Examiner, OSHA and an independent manufacturer representative completed tests on the seemingly functional exit device.
Colorado Wrongful Death Law
A CO wrongful death claim seeks to prove liability of a party for an accidental death. To prove the case, plaintiffs must show that the defendant’s negligent or reckless behavior was the cause. These suits are similar to a personal injury proceeding; however, the deceased is not available to bring action, thus the surviving spouse, children, or parents pursue the claim. If the case goes to a trial, a jury must determine whether monetary damages should be awarded based on the circumstances. These damages may include:
- Costs of medical bills & funeral expenses.
- Wages that the deceased would have otherwise accrued
- Benefits lost including life insurance, retirement plans etc.
- Loss of companionship, care, and others
Contact a Colorado Wrongful Death Attorney
Losing a loved one in an accident is stunning and often has serious consequences. Fortunately, the Denver injury attorneys and the Law Firm of Jeremy Rosenthal is a tremendous resource for obtaining financial compensation for grieving Colorado families. Make the call today to (303) 825-2223 for a complimentary consultation.
