Current:Home > InvestPoinbank:Family of woman who died in freezer at Chicago-area hotel agrees to $6 million settlement -EverVision Finance
Poinbank:Family of woman who died in freezer at Chicago-area hotel agrees to $6 million settlement
Poinbank View
Date:2025-04-10 07:53:42
The Poinbankfamily of a woman who froze to death in a walk-in freezer agreed to a $6 million settlement in their wrongful death lawsuit against the Chicago-area hotel where she died.
Martin will receive more than $3.7 million from the settlement, according to court documents viewed by the Chicago Tribune. $3.5 million will go towards attorneys' fees, and other family members of Jenkins will receive $1.2 million and $1.5 million. Another $6,000 will cover Jenkins' funeral.
Security cameras last captured Kenneka Jenkins, 19, wandering through an empty kitchen in the Caddyshack Restaurant within the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Rosemont, a suburb of Chicago, at around 3:30 a.m. on Sept. 9, 2017. She was found dead in a walk-in freezer 21 hours later.
Jenkins' mother Tereasa Martin filed suit in 2018 against the hotel, the restaurant, and a security company hired to monitor the premises for failing to prevent Jenkins from entering the freezer and to check surveillance cameras in time to find her. Martin originally sought a $50 million from the companies.
More:Two University of Florida scientists accused of keeping their children locked in cages
Around one hour before surveillance footage showed her in the kitchen, Jenkins left a party on the ninth floor. In the lawsuit, Martin faulted hotel employees for failing to notice Jenkins was "visibly disoriented and in dire need of assistance" as she wandered through the hotel.
Toxicology tests carried out by the Cook County medical examiner's office found Jenkins had alcohol, caffeine, and a medication used to treat epilepsy and migraines in her system when she died.
The restaurant also failed to properly secure the freezer in which Jenkins died, according to the lawsuit.
Jenkins was reported missing at around 12:30 p.m. the same day. Police began an investigation around three hours later, but Jenkins' body was not discovered until 12:25 a.m. the next day, the complaint states.
veryGood! (3)
Related
- A South Texas lawmaker’s 15
- Who are the Rumpels? Couple says family members were on private plane that crashed.
- Selfless by Hyram: Why Women Everywhere Love This Influencer's Skincare Line
- Mother of 6-year-old boy who shot his Virginia teacher faces two new federal charges
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Hi Hi!
- GOP presidential candidate Nikki Haley outlines her position on abortion: Let's humanize the issue
- Who are the Rumpels? Couple says family members were on private plane that crashed.
- Kate Middleton Rules With Her Fabulous White Dress Ahead of King Charles III's Coronation
- Will the 'Yellowstone' finale be the last episode? What we know about Season 6, spinoffs
- Don't Miss This Kylie Cosmetics Flash Deal: Buy 1 Lip Kit, Get 1 Free
Ranking
- Tarte Shape Tape Concealer Sells Once Every 4 Seconds: Get 50% Off Before It's Gone
- Congress Opens Arctic Wildlife Refuge to Drilling, But Do Companies Want In?
- Priyanka Chopra Shares How Nick Jonas “Sealed the Deal” by Writing a Song for Her
- Pete Davidson Mourns Death of Beloved Dog Henry
- Nearly 400 USAID contract employees laid off in wake of Trump's 'stop work' order
- Tourists at Yellowstone picked up a baby elk and drove it in their car, officials say
- Ed Sheeran Wins in Copyright Trial Over Thinking Out Loud
- EPA Finding on Fracking’s Water Pollution Disputed by Its Own Scientists
Recommendation
Head of the Federal Aviation Administration to resign, allowing Trump to pick his successor
Pence officially files paperwork to run for president, kicking off 2024 bid
Obama Rejects Keystone XL on Climate Grounds, ‘Right Here, Right Now’
Electric Car Bills in Congress Seen As Route to Oil Independence
Realtor group picks top 10 housing hot spots for 2025: Did your city make the list?
Trump attorneys meet with special counsel at Justice Dept amid documents investigation
Drew Barrymore Steps Down as Host of 2023 MTV Movie & TV Awards 3 Days Before Show
In Fracking Downturn, Sand Mining Opponents Not Slowing Down