Neiman Marcus Wrongful Death Lawsuit Settles for Total of $8.5 Million

Northbrook Illinois Fire Department Investigator Killed When Fire Erupts at Store
June 2009

The Neiman Marcus Group, Inc. (Neiman Marcus) and Amprobe Instruments, Advanced Test Products, Inc., (Amprobe) have agreed to settle a lawsuit brought by the estate of a fire investigator killed when a fire erupted at the Neiman Marcus store in Northbrook, Illinois, for $5 million. This settlement is in addition to a prior settlement of $3.5 million in 2006 with a former co-defendant. The estate was represented by Chicago personal injury lawyers Philip Harnett Corboy, Jr., and Shawn Kasserman of the top-ranked Chicago law firm, Corboy & Demetrio.

Premises Liability Lawsuit

On June 21, 1999, in the early afternoon, there was a power failure at the Neiman Marcus store at the Northbrook Court Shopping Center. Firefighters from the Northbrook, Illinois, Fire Department responded to the outage and shoppers and employees were evacuated from the store. A fire investigator for the Department, and several Neiman Marcus employees went to the electrical vault in the basement to inspect the transformers. During the inspection, one of the transformers, being examined with the help of Amprobe voltmeters, exploded and a fire erupted. The fire investigator was burned and transported to the hospital. He died ten days later from his injuries.

Attorney Corboy stated,

This fire investigator was 48 years old and married with two teenage sons when his life was tragically taken. The fire department lost a beloved member and his family has been devastated by their loss. The family is a very spiritual one and its members have patiently waited for this lawsuit to resolve itself. With this settlement, his widow and two sons, can put the lawsuit behind them.

Premises Liability Wrongful Death Settlement

As a result of this settlement, Neiman Marcus will pay $2.5 million and Amprobe will pay $2.5 million.

About Corboy & Demetrio

Corboy & Demetrio is one of the nation’s premier law firms. It represents individuals and their families in serious personal injury and wrongful death cases and is renowned for its achievements in the courtroom and for its contributions to the community. The rights and concerns of its clients are at the core of Corboy & Demetrio’s practice. That commitment, dedication, compassion and relentless drive has resulted in exceptional service and exceptional results for its clients. The firm has acquired more than $3 billion in settlements and verdicts and has attained nearly 600 settlements and verdicts in excess of $1 million.