Complaint Underlying $4.5 Million Georgia State Jury Award To Parents In Wrongful Death Suit Against Apartment Management Company Following Shooting Death Of Son
On Aug. 6, 2014, Markeese Hodge was shot and killed while he was at an apartment owned by McCorlew Realty, Inc. The apartment unit was allegedly a "problem unit" with a high level of undesirable late night traffic.
On Jan. 7, 2015, Katrina Archie and James Hodge, Individually and as the Biological Parents of Markeese Hodge, and as the Administrators of the Estate of Markeese Hodge, filed suit in the State Court of Muscogee County, Georgia, Judge Benjamin S. Richardon presiding, against McCorlew alleging negligence per se and respondeat superior in the wrongful death of their son. Archie and Hodges alleged that McCorlew knew of the dangers posed at the apartments because, ten days before Markeese was shot, three other people had been shot at the complex, and McCorlew breached its duty to keep the apartments safe. Archie and Hodge contended that the complex was negligently maintained, patrolled, and inspected. Archie and Hodge asserted that McCorlew was aware of the prior shootings and that none of the apartment employees attempted to monitor the property following the prior violent crimes, and the only action McCorlew took was to request that police keep an eye on the property. Archie and Hodge claimed damages for, inter alia, pain and suffering, funeral expenses, and personal injuries of Markeese. They also sought punitive damages and attorney's fees.
On Feb. 10, 2015, McCorlew filed an answer and alleged, inter alia, that punitive damages would be violative of U.S. Const. amend XIV due process. McCorlew asserted that it had sent an eviction notice to the tenants of the apartment before Markeese was shot. McCorlew claimed that Markeese went to the apartment and got into a dispute with Jerome Chatmon over whether Markeese would allow Chatmon to pat him down for weapons prior to entering the apartment. McCorlew contended that Markeese then pulled a gun on Chatmon, struck Chatmon on the head with the gun, and Chatmon then shot Markeese.
On July 21, 2017, a jury found in favor of Archie and Hodge, awarded $ 4,500,000, and apportioned liability 90% to McCorlew, 5% to Markeese, and 5% to Jerome Chatmon.
Plaintiffs were represented by Jeff P. Shriver, R. Scott Campbell, and Daniel C. Beer of Shiver Hamilton, LLC in Atlanta Georgia https://www.shiverhamilton.com/ .
Lexis Advance subscribers may view the complete summary here: Katrina Archie and James Hodge, Individually and as the Biological Parents of Markeese Hodge, and as the Administrators of the Estate of Markeese Hodge, Deceased v. McCorlew Realty, Inc; 2017 Jury Verdicts LEXIS 8923
For all your jury verdict and settlement needs, please visit the LexisNexis Jury Verdicts and Settlements on Lexis Advance® and LexisNexis Verdict and Settlement Analyzer.
For more information about LexisNexis products and solutions connect with us through our corporate site.