Kennywood, Contractor Settle Whip Pavilion Wrongful Death Suit

[GADVwow]

...Kennywood Park and Landau Building Co. settled last week with the family of Stephanie Wilkerson.

The 29-year-old Wilkerson was killed May 31, 2002 when 100 mph winds whipped through the region, ripping the roof off the pavilion. Wilkerson's parents sued Kennywood and Landau.

In July 2007, a jury awarded the family $1.2 million in compensation. A trial on liability and punitive damages was to begin Monday, but the sides reached a total settlement of $2 million last week. Kennywood will also have eight structures built by Landau inspected before the 2010 season begins.

http://www.timesleader.com/news/ap?articleID=3699777

[WadeJ]

I don't mean to sound cold and cruel but in all seriousness, is there ever a natural disaster anymore?  I can see getting the family something for their loss but 2 million???  There were 100 MPH winds!  A tree could have fallen on my house yesterday and killed me while sleeping!  This crap happens.  Should I sue my builder for not making it tree proof?  Whatever.  Glad the park can put this tragic event behind them now.

[chilled182]

The world likes to run on accountability.  If they could have found a way to sue mother nature you bet your ass she'd be paying a few mil to a lot of families.

[nitrorox1414]

^ especially in Haiti... How did she die?

[GADVwow]

Who?  The woman at Kennywood?  The pavilion collapsed in the wind and crushed her....