Neighbor News
TGI Fridays Loses $40 Million Lawsuit in Safety & Alcohol-Related Lawsuit -- The Seegmiller Law Firm Filed Suit on Behalf of the Victim's Family
History of Over-Serving Alcoholic Beverages Even To Minors Led to Stabbing Death Jury Finds
A Riverside Superior Court Jury slapped a $40 million judgment against the franchisee of the popular restaurant chain, TGI Fridays and others citing failure to act on willingness to over-serve alcohol even to minors (case RIC1100955) -- practices that ultimately led to the stabbing death of 33-year old Orlando Jordan, a loan officer at Wells Fargo Bank (case RIF148496) filed at Riverside Superior Court. West Seegmiller, of The Seegmiller Law Firm, represented the victim’s family for 3 years assembling multiple focus groups and bringing in a trial lawyer to try the case. There were nine focus groups used to identify underage drinking as the major issue in the case.
According to the judgments among the security lapses cited were failure to check IDs upon entry to the bar area and not posting safety signs to make clear the laws against underage drinking.
During mediation Seegmiller showed the defense a video reenactment of the crime to demonstrate TGIF’s failed policies. Clips of focus groups were also shown. The case did not settle. The case states the incident took place in early 2009 when Louis Martinez, then 27, and his friend, Michael Castillo, 20, entered TGIF’s bar and encountered Castillo’s mother and the victim together. Jordan had been dating the woman for a short time against Castillo’s wishes. An argument broke out between Castillo and Jordan leading to a physical altercation. The melee escalated and led to the deadly knife attack. Both Martinez and Castillo have been convicted.
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The Seegmiller Law Firm, founded by attorney West Seegmiller in 1981, has earned a sterling reputation for seeking justice for ordinary people. When he learned that the Jordans could not find an attorney who would take the case and that the family had filed on the last day itself he agreed to take the case. Seegmiller has taken on such titans as Coca Cola, Southern California Edison (SCE) and Rockwell International and emerged victorious. Visitwww.SeegmillerPersonalInjury.com for more information.
