May 14 2008
Two More Frivolous Lawsuits Filed in Charleston Fire Incident
Two more families of firefighters killed in the Sofa Super Store blaze have filed lawsuits against the store’s owner, several furniture manufacturers and other companies, alleging the businesses were negligent in the deaths of their loved ones.
The suits were filed Tuesday on behalf of Lauren B. Mulkey, widow of Capt. Louis Mulkey, and Raymond C. Cofield Jr., father-in-law of Capt. Mike Benke. Both families declined to comment through their attorney, Larry Richter of Mount Pleasant.
I commented on this type of action when the first family filed suit. These lawsuits are absurd and they will set a bad precedent if they are successful in the end. I would like to say that these will be dismissed because they have no logical or valid claim against the defendants, but there have been some pretty ridiculous lawsuits that have gotten through our court systems.
The men that died in this tragedy were all firefighters, a job that carries a higher risk of death than most professions. Nobody becomes a fireman not knowing the danger involved. Accidents happen, fires get out of control and sometimes these men die. It’s a sad drawback that goes along with the job.
Can every family of a fallen firefighter start suing everyone in site now? How about the family of a police officer gunned down in the line of duty? Will they too be able to make millions off of their family member’s death?
Lawsuit abuse is out of control in this country and it needs to be stopped.