Two victims of Apple store crash file negligence lawsuits | CNN Business

CNN Business
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Two victims injured when a car plowed into an Apple store filed a lawsuit Tuesday morning alleging that several development companies failed to protect people by failing to install barriers near the store.

One person was killed and at least 19 others were injured after an SUV plowed into an Apple store in Hingham, Mass., on Nov. 21, according to the Plymouth County District Attorney’s Office.

“For just a few dollars, a couple of barriers could have easily prevented this entire tragedy,” Doug Sheff, an attorney for the two victims, said at a news conference Tuesday afternoon.

Sheff showed images of barriers at various Apple store locations and other areas of the Hingham shopping complex, arguing that they should have been at the Hingham Apple store as well. He said barriers had been placed in front of the store following the incident.

Both lawsuits were filed by the victims who were injured in the incident and their families. One of the victims, who worked at Apple, suffered a traumatic brain injury, the complaint says. The other victim suffered broken ribs and other injuries that will require surgery, according to the other complaint.

The lawsuits accuse several real estate developers of negligence, alleging that they “failed to reasonably protect the occupants” by failing to install barricades near the store.

CNN has attempted to contact the development companies.

A lawsuit filed by a non-employee accuses Apple of negligence, claiming it failed to reasonably protect the store’s occupants.

Apple ( AAPL ) did not respond to a request for comment on the lawsuits. “Our hearts go out to our team members and customers who were injured and everyone affected by this terrible incident,” the company said in a statement last week.

The lawsuits also accuse Bradley Rein, the alleged driver, of negligence when he “operated the SUV in a reckless, imprudent and negligent manner.”

CNN has attempted to contact Rein’s attorney. He has pleaded not guilty to charges of reckless homicide by a motor vehicle and reckless operation of a motor vehicle, according to the Plymouth District Attorney’s Office. He is being held on $100,000 bond and his next court appearance is scheduled for Dec. 22.

CNN previously reported that Rein told police that “his right foot became stuck on the accelerator and the vehicle accelerated,” prosecutors said. Prosecutors said Rein’s field sobriety test registered zero.

Both lawsuits ask for a jury trial.