Sinas Dramis Achieves Historic $4.6 Million Wrongful Death Verdict for a Very Special Person
A team at Sinas Dramis Law Firm, led by shareholder Tom Sinas, proudly announces a remarkable and historic achievement of an approximate $4.6 million jury verdict in St. Joseph County on behalf of a truly exceptional individual. In the world of personal injury litigation, it is no secret that few cases ever see the inside of a courtroom, as many cases settle before a jury is selected and, in some cases, before an official lawsuit is filed. However, like most things in life, one size does not fit all, and sometimes a case must go the full distance for justice to be reached. This was the path for Marjorie “Louise” McBride and her late Husband Bill, who was wrongfully killed by the negligence of Menards. After roughly 2.5 years, the McBrides’ story was heard by a jury, who saw the truth, and found the trial in their favor.
The McBrides’ Story
On December 23, 2021, Louise, and her husband Bill (age 79) were shopping for 66-quart plastic bins at the Menard’s store in Three Rivers, Michigan. After locating the aisle where the plastic bins were kept, they saw that the bins they needed were on a shelf above their head. The McBrides then asked a store employee in the area for help retrieving the bins from the high shelf, and the employee agreed to help. Unfortunately, the method the employee used to get the plastic bins down was dangerous, and the employee lost control of the bins on the way down, causing them to strike Bill McBride on the head.
Bill McBride was in good health and doing well, according to his primary care physician. At the time of the incident, he was taking a common blood thinner for a common heart condition. Bill and Louise left the store after the incident. Unfortunately, unbeknownst to them, the blow to Bill’s head from the plastic bins caused a subdural hematoma (commonly known as a brain bleed). After going home briefly, Bill began experiencing the common symptoms of a brain injury, including a headache, nausea, and vomiting. Louise then rushed Bill to the local hospital.
After two days, two different hospitals, brain surgery, and a truly horrible ordeal, Bill McBride passed away on Christmas Day 2021.
Bill and Louise McBride were married for more than 50 years. Together, they had two children, two grandchildren, and four great grandchildren. At the time Bill died, he and Louise were undertaking the monumental and heroic task of raising two of their great grandsons, whose parents were no longer in the picture. Now, at the age of 80, Louise McBride has guardianship of two boys, one in elementary school, and the other in middle school.
The Trial
After lengthy litigation and multiple attempts to settle the case, the only option left was to proceed with trial. Trial began on April 30th in St. Joseph County, in front of the Honorable Judge Paul Stutesman. The McBride trial was the first civil trial to take place in St. Joseph County in approximately 12 years and only the fourth in at last several decades. Through five days of trial, Attorney Tom Sinas presented the case by calling nearly 20 people as witnesses, along with the assistance of Attorney Steve Weston. On Monday, May 6th, the jury received the case, and in less than an hour, returned with a unanimous verdict. All eight jurors found that both Menards and its employee were negligent in the death of Bill McBride, with 99% of the negligence assigned to the Menards corporation. The jury determined the total value of the harms and losses to be $4,585,122.00.
Michigan’s Advocates for Those Wrongfully Injured or Killed
With a legacy spanning over 70 years, Sinas Dramis Law Firm has consistently championed the rights of those wrongfully injured or killed in Michigan. The unwavering dedication of attorneys like Tom Sinas to justice is exemplified by the recent historic achievement of securing a nearly $4.6 million jury verdict in this case. This also underscores the firm’s commitment to seeing cases through to the end when justice demands it. Throughout our history, Sinas Dramis Law Firm has built a reputation for their tenacity and compassion, ensuring that every client’s story is heard and valued. The success in the McBride case is a testament to the firm’s legal expertise and respect for its firm’s clients. As we continue to advocate for those in need, Sinas Dramis Law Firm remains a beacon of hope and justice in the Michigan legal community.