A recent Northern Illinois University graduate and two St. Charles East High School seniors sued the Kane County Cougars and a catering company. The students argue that they were negligent in their response to a severe storm that crossed through the Geneva Stadium in August 2012.
The lawsuits filed in Kane County state that sisters Mary and Abigail Gaffney along with Erin Gautille were injured by flying debris as a result of the storm during an event of the team’s stadium on Aug. 4.
Their attorney argued that the team and catering company both should have known that the approaching storm posed a safety risk, but they failed to take precautions like moving the volunteers to a safer area.
Mary Gaffney was hospitalized and can still feel the effects of her head and brain injuries according to her attorney.
Senior at St. Charles East Abigail Gaffney sustained bruises to her legs in the storm.
Gautille, who is also a senior, suffered from a broken right wrist and elbow and fractured ribs, for which she recently had surgery for.
Also named as a defendant is the Kane County Forest Preserve because it owns the stadium, Fifth Third Ballpark.
The attorney representing the district said that he was unable to comment on the matter because the district had not yet been officially served with a lawsuit.
The Cougars spokesman Shawn Touney stated, “We are not aware of any legal issues pertaining to our organization and if there were, we would not be at liberty to discuss (them) with the public.”
The total of each of the three lawsuits seek total damages at over $50,000 along with a jury trial.
If you have been injured at the fault of someone else, contact Martoccio & Martoccio personal injury attorneys to fight on your behalf. Located in DuPage, Cook, Kane and Will Counties, these experienced attorneys can assist you in your lawsuit today.