TMCnet News
Lawsuits Filed Against UPS, Allied Universal, and Valacal in Wake of UPS Shooting Rampage in San FranciscoJones Clifford, a preeminent personal injury law firm, today filed lawsuits in San Francisco Superior Court against United Parcel Service, Inc. (UPS), security company Allied Universal, and property owner Valacal Company on behalf of the families of two men who were killed in a June shooting rampage at a UPS facility in the city. The suits, being brought by Sandy Lim, widow of the late Benson Louie, and her children Elizabeth and Melanie, and Danielle Lefiti, widow of the late Mike Lefiti, and her children Nico and Aidan, seek wrongful death and survival action damages against the defendants because of their negligence and carelessness. Jones Clifford also filed lawsuits in the same court today against the three companies on behalf of UPS employees Xiao Chen and Edgar Perez, who were shot and injured in the attack, as well as lawsuits on behalf of four workers who were physically injured while fleeing and 24 other workers who witnessed the assault and have since experienced significant Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. "The security lapses that led to the horrific tragedy and the death and injury of dedicated UPS workers in the course of an ordinary workday, and to dozens of others witnessing the terrifying scene, were entirely preventable," said Jones Clifford partner J. Kevin Morrison. "The Louie and Lefiti families have been shattered by the deaths of their loved ones. Our clients who were shot but fortunate to have survived have long roads of recovery ahead. And our clients who witnessed the assault and fled for their lives are traumatized and struggling to return to work. They all deserve justice for the utter failure of UPS and the other defendants to implement and maintain adequate workplace protections." The morning of June 14, UPS employee Jimmy Lam entered the warehouse in the UPS complex, which spans a full block in Potrero Hill, concealing a MAC-10 submachine gun and an automatic pistol, as well as a box of bullets. When Lam passed through a security checkpoint staffed by Allied Universal he set off the metal detector alarm, but no effort was made by security workers to determine the cause of the alarm and Lam continued into the building unimpeded. He then proceeded to open fire, shooting five employees. Three employees who were shot at close range were killed and two others who were shot sustained serious injuries. Dozens of workers were on the warehouse floor at the time of the shootings. The lawsuits allege that the defendants were aware that security problems existed at the facility. UPS employees at other facilities had previously lodged complaints about the presence of weapons including firearms and ammunition, and, in fact, UPS management had brought in weapons. Employees had also made complaints about unauthorized people entering the facility. The suits further allege that because of conduct Lam had previously exhibited, UPS knew - or should have known - that he posed a serious risk of injury to himself and others. In short, UPS, Allied Universal, and Valacal neglected to fulfill their critical duty of protecting UPS employees. "Nothing can repair the damage caused by the senseless violence committed on June 14," said Morrison, "but it is our goal to help the victims begin the healing process and ensure they have the resources they need going forward to rebuild their lives." The case numbers are CGC-17-561241 and CGC-17-561236. About Jones Clifford Since 1962, San Francisco law firm Jones Clifford has provided skilled and ethical representation to employees, individuals, and families in personal injury, wrongful death, workers' compensation, and disability retirement law in the Bay Area and throughout California. Jones Clifford attorneys have more than 150 years of collective experience in California courts and a proven track record of achieving results for clients. Learn more at http://jonesclifford.com.
View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170912006910/en/ |
