Saturday, August 20, 2011

Verdicts & Settlements August 13, 2011: Teen injured in fire pit


A teenage girl who was burned when she fell into a fire pit reached a settlement in Buchanan County with the homeowner for $177,000.


Peek was taken to a hospital and then transferred to the burn center at University of Kansas Hospital. A doctor who followed up with her later, Dr. Michael DePriest, found she recovered well but still experiences tingling in her toes, Matula said. That condition is expected to go away with time.$177,000 settlementPlaintiff's Expert: Dr. Michael DePriest, St. Joseph (plastic surgery)Hollie Peek was 17 when she went to a party in July 2010 to join high school friends at a home in St. Joseph. The group was outside to watch a fireworks display. Peek arrived late, after the fireworks had concluded, and she was walking in the dark when she fell into a pit that had been dug in Lainie Bergner's land to burn trash, said the plaintiff's attorney, Daniel Matula of Kansas City.Insurer: Travelers Home and Marine Insurance Co.Plaintiff's Attorney: Daniel J. Matula, Daniel J. Matula P.C., Kansas CityCaption: Hollie Peek v. Lainie BergnerPremises liabilityDefendant's Attorney: Daniel P. Hanson, Overland Park, Kan.Case Number/Date: 11BU-CV02042/June 22, 2011The pit was still smoldering and the embers burned her feet and toes before friends heard her screams and pulled her to safety, he said.Special Damages: $22,502 in medical billsCourt: Buchanan County Circuit CourtJudge: Randall R. JacksonDaniel Hanson, of Overland Park, Kan., represented Bergner. Her insurer was Travelers Home and Marine Insurance Co. Hanson didn't return a call seeking comment by press time.

Defendant's Attorney: Daniel P. Hanson, Overland Park, Kan.




Author: Kelly Wiese


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