An undisclosed settlement has been reached in the wrongful death lawsuit of a 10-year-old boy killed by a falling 300 pound flight display board at the Birmingham, Alabama airport last year. The young boy and his family were traveling through Birmingham on their return home to Kansas after a spring break vacation. During a layover at the newly renovated Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport, a 300-pound flight information panel fell off a wall striking several family members. The boy died from his injuries; his mother and two younger brothers were seriously injured, while his dad and an older brother and sister were unharmed. It took six people to lift the sign and another dozen to hold it upright while first responders administered aid.

The wrongful death lawsuit sought unspecified damages for the death, injuries and emotional pain caused by the incident. Named in the suit were Brasfield & Gorrie, BLOC and the Joint Venture, Fish Construction and KPS Architects, all contractors involved in the airport’s recent renovation. This unfortunate, tragic accident will not bring the child back, but it has led to changes to ensure such tragedies no not happen again.

According to the family’s attorney, the defendants have accepted responsibility for their respective roles that contributed to the tragedy.

“I am pleased to report that each defendant has taken specific steps to analyze the failures that may have occurred and have agreed to make concrete changes to ensure that similar tragedies are avoided in the future,” he said. “In light of the criticism that is often levied at our system of civil justice, this case is proof that while flawed at times, the system can and does work.”

Litigation Funding Corp. congratulations this family and their attorney on a victory and commend the defendants for accepting responsibility and implementing change so such tragedies do not happen again.