Sep 5, 2012 | Nursing Home Abuse, Personal Injury, Uncategorized, Wrongful Death
The estate of a woman killed last year at a Rock Hill Assisted living home is suing the facility and several of its employees, alleging that the crime could have been prevented. Pauline Cook, 82, was found dead in her shower the day after she reported to staff members of the home and police that someone had been forging her checks.
Braquette Walton, a 30-year-old nurse’s assistant who eventually confessed to the crime, was arrested in connection with the killing. Walton was charged with murder, abuse and neglect of a vulnerable adult resulting in death, burglary and forgery.
Other employees being implicated in connection with the crime allegedly knew of Cook’s suspicions of the forgery and took no immediate actions to prevent the criminal conduct. At the time of the killing Walton was not scheduled to work, and therefore, had no authorization and was not permitted to be on the premises of the facility. Nevertheless, Walton managed to bypass several security measures, wrongfully enter the home, and sneak into the victim’s room unnoticed. There, a violent struggle ensued and Walton ultimately smothered the woman death. Cook’s lifeless body was then dragged to the shower in an attempt to make it appear as though she accidentally fell while bathing.
Cook’s estate is seeking compensation and punitive damages for wrongful death, negligence and wonton and reckless misconduct. Walton is being held at Moss Justice Center in York and faces 30 years to life in prison for the murder charge alone.
South Carolina Attorneys: Reeves, Aiken, and Hightower, LLP
If the unthinkable happens in your life, call the experienced wrongful death attorneys of Reeves, Aiken & Hightower LLP. Our seasoned litigators have over 75 years combined trial experience. Our team of personal injury attorneys include former insurance defense lawyers, a former Registered Nurse (RN), and former criminal prosecutor. We can investigate all aspects of a serious accident and hold all parties accountable for your loss. Call us today and speak directly with one of our lawyers at 704-499-9000 or 877-374-5999 toll free. We have offices in Charlotte and throughout South Carolina. We would be honored to have an opportunity to help you and your family get through this most difficult time in your lives.
Sep 5, 2012 | Car Accidents, Personal Injury, Trucking/Tractor-Trailer Accidents, Uncategorized
A 59-year-old Mooresville woman was airlifted to the Carolinas Medical Center Main Campus in Charlotte on Wednesday after a wreck near the Charlotte Motor Speedway.
At approximately 2:15 on Wednesday, Valerie Canup Williams was traveling at about 45 miles per hour west on Morehead Street when her Toyota crossed the center lane and collided with an Allied Waste Services refuse hauler, according to an incident report. The truck was traveling at about 15 miles per hour when it was struck by Williams’ car. The collision caused Williams’ vehicle to travel another 35 feet after impact.
Williams was trapped in her car, and medical workers had to remove her from the vehicle. The driver of the truck suffered no injuries from the crash. The collision caused $15,000 worth of damage to the truck and $9,000 to Williams’ Toyota. Williams, who remains at the Carolinas Medical Center, is said to be in ‘fair’ condition, according to hospital staff.
The South Carolina Boating Accident Attorneys of Reeves, Aiken, and Hightower, LLP.
If the unthinkable happens in your life, call the experienced wrongful death attorneys of Reeves, Aiken & Hightower LLP. Our seasoned litigators have over 75 years combined trial experience. Our team of personal injury attorneys include former insurance defense lawyers, a former Registered Nurse (RN), and former criminal prosecutor. We can investigate all aspects of a serious accident and hold all parties accountable for your loss. Call us today and speak directly with one of our lawyers at 704-499-9000 or 877-374-5999 toll free. We have offices in Charlotte and throughout South Carolina. We would be honored to have an opportunity to help you and your family get through this most difficult time in your lives.
Sep 2, 2012 | Car Accidents, Personal Injury, Uncategorized, Wrongful Death
A settlement between the Richland County Sheriff’s Department and the Estate of a man killed in a collision with a Deputy in June 2011 was approved by a judge on Wednesday.
Phillip Hawkins, 67, was killed when Deputy George Mickens, traveling at approximately 79 miles per hour, lost control of his cruiser when he ran a red light and collided with Hawkin’s car. Both the investigations of the South Carolina Highway Patrol and the Richland Sheriff’s Department concluded that a medical condition, likely a seizure caused Mickens to lose the ability to drive. The State Solicitor further concluded that the evidence was insufficient to find that the accident was the result of any wrongdoing.
Hawkins’ family, however, disagreed with those conclusions and filed a wrongful death suit, citing Mickens’ driving record. Mickens’ prior record reveals six crashes in the last ten years, four of which were caused by Mickens. Since 1993 Mickens has been stopped 12 times for offenses ranging from running a stop sign to speeding.
The Estate of Phillip Hawkins will receive $193,933.79 after legal fees. Mickens is no longer employed with the Richland County Sheriff’s Department. The settlement protects the Department from further suits.
Columbia Car Accident Attorneys
If you or a loved one have been injured or killed in any type of car accident in the Columbia area, you need an experienced accident attorney like those at Reeves, Aiken & Hightower to help you get the justice you deserve. Call us at 877-374-5999, or
use this form, to speak with an attorney who can help you evaluate your claim and get you the best possible recovery.
Aug 28, 2012 | Car Accidents, DUI & DWI, Motorcycle Accidents, Personal Injury, Uncategorized, Wrongful Death
A single vehicle car crash took place in Charlotte on Sunday, which ended the life of one individual when they were ejected from their car upon impact.
The car crash occurred in the 6900 block of Old Mount Holly Road, a little after 3:00 a.m near the greater Charlotte area.
According to the report, the driver Elvin Ortez was driving as 2001 Honda Civic when he ran it off the road, casing the vehicle to overturn and ejecting the driver from the vehicle upon impact. The Medics pronounced Ortez dead at the scene. The other passenger in the vehicle was transported to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
It is believed by the Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department that both speed and alcohol were contributing factors to the crash; however this investigation is still in progress.
The seasoned trial attorneys of Reeves, Aiken & Hightower LLP have over 75 years combined legal experience and have represented victims of numerous types of car accidents, whether alcohol was involved or not in the greater Charlotte area. These are complex injury cases with both civil and criminal considerations and at Reeves, Aiken, and Hightower, we will fight to get you the justice you deserve. Compare our lawyers’ credentials to any other law firm. Then hire the best drunk driver accident lawyer who you trust to fight for your case. Call us today at 803-548-4444 or 877-374-5999 toll free for a private consultation.
Aug 25, 2012 | Car Accidents, Personal Injury, Uncategorized, Wrongful Death
Police have charged a local doctor after a crash killed one person in south Charlotte on May 31, 2012. Dr. Barry Davis, 35, was held and charged with misdemeanor death by motor vehicle. Dr. Davis is completing his residency at Carolinas Medical Center. The accident happened around 5:15 p.m. on Rea Road just north of Pineville-Matthews Road. According to police records, Dr. Davis was heading south on Rea when his vehicle crossed into the northbound lane, striking a Blue Max dump truck driven by 58-year-old Richard Gaddy. The impact of that collision caused the dump truck to cross the center line and crash head on with 47-year-old Edward Miller. Mr. Miller remained trapped in his car until paramedics pronounced him dead at the scene. Police also indicated that neither speed nor alcohol appeared to be factors in the accident.
Dr. Davis worked a 12 to 13 hour shift on the day of the crash. Officials said it’s unclear whether he fell asleep or not, but fatigue is probably a factor. “It would not be uncommon at all for a general surgery resident to work a 12 to 13 hour shift. That clearly would be within the guidelines,” said Dr. Mark Malangoni with the American Board of Surgery. How sad and ironic that a physician training to save lives has now ended one because of the demands of that very same training.
Charlotte Serious Accident and Wrongful Death Attorneys
If the unthinkable happens in your life, call the experienced wrongful death attorneys of Reeves, Aiken & Hightower LLP. Our seasoned litigators have over 75 years combined trial experience. Our team of personal injury attorneys include former insurance defense lawyers, a former Registered Nurse (RN), and former criminal prosecutor. We can investigate all aspects of a serious accident and hold all parties accountable for your loss. Call us today and speak directly with one of our lawyers at 704-499-9000 or 877-374-5999 toll free. We have offices in Charlotte and throughout South Carolina. We would be honored to have an opportunity to help you and your family get through this most difficult time in your lives.
