Serious injury lawsuit filed by Massachusetts man claiming traumatic brain injury and severe internal injuries inflicted by club security settled for $500K.
A Massachusetts man’s serious injury lawsuit against a Manchester, NH nightclub, in which he claimed a confrontation with bouncers ended with him suffering traumatic brain injury, has been settled for $500,000. Marc Shields, 23, suffered severe internal injuries that required multiple surgeries after the confrontation at Drynk at 20 Old Granite St. on Dec. 11, 2013, according to Joseph M. Orlando Sr., a Gloucester, Mass., attorney who represented Shields. Orlando filed a civil suit seeking $1 million in damages. The case went to a mediator and was settled on Jan. 15, according to a document from Massachusetts Dispute Resolution Services signed by attorneys for both parties. Shields, a student at Southern New Hampshire University at the time of the incident, is still recovering, Orlando said. “He’s still looking forward to going back to school,” Orlando said. “Because of this he wasn’t able to graduate.” Drynk is no longer in business, former owner Thomas Svoleantopoulos said Friday. Svoleantopoulos said the club was purchased in October by the group East Coast Service Industry Companies Inc., which opened a new club called Whiskey’s 20 at the same location with Svoleantopoulos serving as principal owner. Although Svoleantopoulos disputed the claims club security “assaulted” Shields and other claims in the lawsuit, he said the settlement was handled by the former club’s insurer, Hospitality Mutual Insurance Co. of Westborough, Mass. “These were unfortunate circumstances,” Svoleantopoulos said. “No one wants to see anybody get hurt.” Svoleantopoulos said he was not aware of the incident until the lawsuit was filed in U.S. District Court in Boston. According to the lawsuit, Shields and a friend were asked to leave the club for unspecified reasons. Shields and his friend obliged, but a confrontation ensued when a security member grabbed Shields around the neck and shoulder, the lawsuit states. Shields attempted to free himself, pushing the bouncer away and accidentally struck a female member of the security team, according to the lawsuit. Svoleantopoulos disputed the claim that Shields was merely trying to defend himself. “Had the young man not assaulted security, there would have been no need to restrain him,” Svoleantopoulos said. Shields was taken first to Elliot Hospital after the incident, then transferred to Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. Orlando said he had severe internal injuries and a traumatic brain injury. “If this type of overreaction is to be avoided in the future, it was important that the club be held accountable for the conduct of his employees,” Orlando said in a statement. Originally posted by Doug Alden in Union Leader online. Serious Injury Lawsuit – Ball & Evans & Ball & Evans Trial Attorney – Los Angeles
