Lawsuit claims strip club's policy at fault in teen's death
shadowcat
Atlanta suburb
Attorneys for the family of an 18-year-old killed by a drunk driver last year allege that a strip club's policy to sell as many drinks as possible led to her death.
Rick's Cabaret International Inc. in Houston is facing a lawsuit filed by the family of an Katherine "Emily" Mabel Jones, then a Caney Creek High School senior, who was killed last year by an intoxicated driver who had just left the club.
At the center of the suit, is a policy that requires its employees to pay a "house charge" to work at the club by gathering "credits" based on the number of drinks they sell. The policy encourages over-serving patrons, including those that are already intoxicated, according the lawsuit filed by the attorneys from the Lanier Law Firm.
"Emily will never be able to realize the beautiful life she had ahead of her because a strip club wanted to make more money regardless of the dangers," says Houston attorney Mark Lanier, counsel for the Jones family. "We're determined that those responsible for taking this young woman's life will be held accountable."
On March 30, 2011, authorities say Erasmo Ramirez hit her truck with his car from behind, dislodging the bed of the truck and crushing its cab. She died at the hospital several hours after the accident. Less than 30 minutes before the crash, Ramirez was thrown out of Rick's Cabaret. Investigators determined that his blood alcohol content was 0.295, more than three times the legal limit in Texas.
Investigators found that during the crash, he was driving about 130 miles per hour. He was charged of intoxication manslaughter and later sentenced to 15 years in prison.
The lawsuit also takes aim at Ramirez and Houston-based Trumps Inc., which the attorneys said maintains the club's alcoholic beverage permit.
Rick's Cabaret International Inc. in Houston is facing a lawsuit filed by the family of an Katherine "Emily" Mabel Jones, then a Caney Creek High School senior, who was killed last year by an intoxicated driver who had just left the club.
At the center of the suit, is a policy that requires its employees to pay a "house charge" to work at the club by gathering "credits" based on the number of drinks they sell. The policy encourages over-serving patrons, including those that are already intoxicated, according the lawsuit filed by the attorneys from the Lanier Law Firm.
"Emily will never be able to realize the beautiful life she had ahead of her because a strip club wanted to make more money regardless of the dangers," says Houston attorney Mark Lanier, counsel for the Jones family. "We're determined that those responsible for taking this young woman's life will be held accountable."
On March 30, 2011, authorities say Erasmo Ramirez hit her truck with his car from behind, dislodging the bed of the truck and crushing its cab. She died at the hospital several hours after the accident. Less than 30 minutes before the crash, Ramirez was thrown out of Rick's Cabaret. Investigators determined that his blood alcohol content was 0.295, more than three times the legal limit in Texas.
Investigators found that during the crash, he was driving about 130 miles per hour. He was charged of intoxication manslaughter and later sentenced to 15 years in prison.
The lawsuit also takes aim at Ramirez and Houston-based Trumps Inc., which the attorneys said maintains the club's alcoholic beverage permit.
7 comments
The problem is with the security. You can't just 'throw out' somebody who is intoxicated and then stand by while they get into the driver seat of a car. You've negligently created a dangerous situation. There is plenty of precedent on this.
Most clubs will either call a cab or drive the guy to the bus stop or whatever.
The victim's family will sue the money. Rick's is the money. Welcome to America, the country of its always the richest guy's fault.
It'll be an interesting case to follow, it would be a shame if Ricks did throw out the patron in question for being overly intoxicated/unruly, watched him get in his car and drive away, and then got off clean because the jackass lawyer went after their questionable policy rather than their seemingly clear negligence. Then again, it would also be a shame if they put his drunk ass into a cab and he made his way back to pick up his car and still would up liable.