Wrongful Death Suit Is Filed Against Tommy Lee
By
Sefany Jones,
Contributing Editor
Thursday, February 21, 2002 @ 6:31 PM
| Parents File Suit Against Tomm
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Methods of Mayhem founder and former Motley Crue drummer Tommy Lee is now being faced with a wrongful death and negligence lawsuit, after the accidental drowning of a 4-year-old at his Malibu home in June 2001.
The 4-year-old boy, Daniel, was attending Lee’s 5-year-old son Brandon’s birthday party. The child was found unconscious in the pool, at which point two adults tried to resuscitate the boy to no avail. The death was ruled as “accidental.”
The parents of Daniel, actress Ursula Karven and television producer James Veres, call the child’s death “inexcusable” and filed the lawsuit against him at the Los Angeles Superior Court on February 15. The lawsuit also points a finger at nearly 50 “John Does,” unspecified employees of Lee in attendance, accusing them of “focusing their attention on socializing with other employees, friends, and bystanders at the party.”
The lawsuit charges Lee with general negligence, negligent supervision, wrongful death and premises liability. The suit also claims that the pool “has a black bottom which obscures visibility” and that using the pool “required greater vigilance and observance.”
Michael Levine, spokesperson for Karven’s and Veres’ attorney, Tom Girardi, says the family is interested in justice, not financial gain. “Girardi is the leading wrongful death dude. For him to take this is intense. This is not a good day for Tommy Lee. Talking yourself out of this one will be like dragging a wet mattress up a spiral staircase.”
Karven and Veres seek reimbursement for medical care, funeral expenses, loss of earnings, and punitive damages for pain and suffering.
Lee has 30 days in which to file a response.
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