St. Louis Cardinals’ Father Sues Restaurant over Son’s Death

May 29, 2007

  • May 29, 2007 at 9:01 am
    Kate Brown says:
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    Death is a tragedy. The way the Hancock family is choosing to mourn is also a tragedy. There were obviously many pieces in place that led to Josh Hancock\’s death and Josh was the central piece, making a series of decisions that killed him and left others behind to feel pain and anger. A lawsuit isn\’t going to bring him back. Someone needs to advise grief counseling to this family rather than legal counseling.

  • May 29, 2007 at 9:15 am
    Jewel says:
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    What if he had killed the tow truck driver or the driver of the stalled car?

    If I had had as much to drink that night, I wouldn\’t have driven myself home. They have these things called taxis. Should they have moved the stalled car out of the way? Of course. Was that a factor? Yes. However, that seems small in comparison to driving drunk while speeding and talking on a cell phone and not wearing a seatbelt. Why is it that other passing motorists didn\’t hit the stalled car? They weren\’t drunk (probably). If Josh hadn\’t hit the tow truck, it\’s possible he would have rolled and been thrown from the car.

    This is a sad story, but most of the blame lies with the intoxicated driver. You didn\’t hear about the tow truck company suing the family for the loss of their tow truck…

    I feel badly that a man is dead, but he made the decision to drive…

  • May 29, 2007 at 9:41 am
    boonedoggle says:
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    In reality, I suggest that the suit will likely pose significant judgement risk against all of the named defendents.

    The case is filed in Mo. 22nd Circuit (City of St. Louis). In that venue, traditional concepts of fault usually have no influence on jury verdicts.

    Case in point deals with a verdict awarded two months ago. A fire was started by a Bic lighter in a urethane foam couch. The mother fought the fire with buckets of water for at least 5 minutes before calling 911. Tragically, her 2 year old
    died from smoke inhilation in his 2nd floor townhouse room.

    Remains of smoke detectors were examined by expert witnesses and reported to have been working at the time of the fire.

    The mother sued the landlord asserting tht the detectors didn\’t sound (even though she was aware of the fire and filled up a soup pot three times to throw on the fire prior to calling the FD)

    Guess what? Jury awards $1.5 million against the landlord and the liability insurer elects to pay, figuring that the next jury might just award $100 million.

    And you folks think the Hancock suit lacks merit?

  • May 29, 2007 at 9:50 am
    sara says:
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    Sorry for your loss, but if you want to get technical there is no one for this father to blame but his own son. Reguardless of were he was drinking or who was serving it to him, hes a big boy who is capable of making decisions on his own. Just like the decision he made to drink, drive, wreck, and be sighted just days before this accident occured. I feel the father is taking this to extremes. Does he feel that he\’s the only one to ever lose a loved one in an accident. No, there are alot of us who have lost love ones or who have taken the lives of someone elses loved one by drinking and driving. Josh was a big boy who made a big boy decision-the one to get behind the wheel knowing that he was intoxicated. No BS excuses saying that alcohol alters your brain. People do what they want, when they want. If he would of been refused drinks dont you think that he would of went elsewhere and got it. Then you would be sueing someone else. Get used to the fact that josh killed josh, no one else told him to drink and drive. Sorry, but been there with a loved one. I made it without sueing anyone and I dont have money as you do.

  • May 29, 2007 at 12:33 pm
    kay;la says:
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    i feel bad that he died. he was a great player on the team.

  • May 29, 2007 at 1:59 am
    Big Neal says:
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    No personal accountability whatsoever.

  • May 29, 2007 at 2:05 am
    Art Forenza says:
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    When are we as a society going to say enough – one has to take responsibility for thier own actions & stopp trying to blame everyone & everything else. Afterall, don\’t the ball players need to take some responsibility for this too? If they had gotten more hits & runs, the game would have lasted longer – giving Josh less time to drink!

  • May 29, 2007 at 2:14 am
    bob says:
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    I agree, when are we going to quit blaming everyone else for our stupid decisions we make. I believe that we are responsible for our own actions. I am sorry he died, but if he would have exercised better judgement then he would have lived to play another day.

  • May 29, 2007 at 2:26 am
    stlgirl says:
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    I see a tragedy on both sides. As someone who waited tables through college, I know that all restaurants are trained on how much to serve people, what to watch for, and when to stop serving. It is in the liquor license and that is why they have liquor liability insurance. I have argued with many people over whether or not they were \”drunk\” and could drive. Too many people think that they can drive after three or so beers in an hour. It was my job to tell them no. I knew I could be personally liable for serving them more if they got into an accident. I think bars and restaurants need to learn when to say no and to stop trying to make a fast dollar, as well. I\’ve watched many a times in bars and restaurants where people have to be carried out. I know there are times when one cannot think reasonably and someone has to do it for them. Legally, that becomes the establishment\’s job- especially if they are providing the alcohol.

    On the other hand, I agree that as a society we need to stop being so sue happy. People shouldn\’t walk into a restaurant or bar and order three or four beers/drinks in an hour and think they can just drive home.

    Unfortunately, they do. So what do we do about that? Allow them to kill themself or others and say, \”Next time someone will learn?\” Obviously the person who drove can\’t learn next time. Our society isn\’t learning. So who is responsible? How do we teach people without coming down on the restaurant? On this one- I think the money in a suit should not go to the family. It should go as a \”fine\” to the state. Since the restaurant did not follow the guidelines set forth, they should pay a hefty fine and be on probation.

  • May 29, 2007 at 2:28 am
    jwb says:
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    I was just at Shannon\’s resturant. It\’s agreat place to eat.



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