Estate of Michael Savage, Jr. v. The Williamson Free School of Mechanical Trades
Posted on: Thursday, September 23, 2010 | Posted in: Product Recall
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PHILADELPHIA, PA—The parents of Michael Savage, Jr. filed a lawsuit today against
the Williamson Free School of Mechanical Trades arising from the death of their
18 year-old son, Michael Savage, Jr., on October 9, 2009. Michael was a first year
student at Williamson who was killed when he was electrocuted in the Williamson
Power Plant. The lawsuit alleges that Michael was not properly trained or supervised
and was directed by a Williamson teacher to work with an energized commercial light
fixture manufactured by General Electric Company. The Complaint alleges that Williamson
was not properly staffed with trained faculty and that Williamson lacked fundamental
safety equipment, including electrical testing equipment, safety gloves and tools.
The Savage family’s lawsuit seeks punitive damages against Williamson based upon
allegations that Williamson was willful, wanton, and reckless by directing a new
student to work with an energized light fixture while he was unsupervised and without
adequate training and safety equipment.
The Savage family also alleges that Williamson failed to provide fundamental first-aid
training to its students and faculty. The lawsuit alleges that Williamson failed
to render first aid to Michael once he had been electrocuted which contributed to
his death. The Savage family also alleges that the school did not have defibrillators
available, which were necessary to render proper first aid to Michael who had been
electrocuted.
The lawsuit seeks economic damages from Williamson in the form of Michael Savage,
Jr.’s lost earning capacity. The lawsuit also seeks damages under Pennsylvania’s
Wrongful Death and Survival Acts for Michael’s horrific pain and suffering that
resulted from his electrocution.
The lawsuit alleges that Williamson has never provided the Savage family with any
answers regarding how their son’s death occurred. The lawsuit also alleges that
Williamson failed to properly investigate the cause of Michael Savage, Jr.’s death.
The lawsuit alleges that the unsafe practices, procedures, and policies that resulted
in Michael Savage, Jr.’s death still prevail at the Williamson Trade School.
The case was filed in Philadelphia County, and the Savage family is represented
by Thomas W. Sheridan, Esquire of the Philadelphia law firm Sheridan & Murray, LLC.
General Electric was also named in the lawsuit as a defendant. General Electric
manufactured the light fixture involved in the electrocution of Michael Savage.
About Sheridan & Murray – A Philadelphia personal injury law firm
that represents victims who have suffered catastrophic injuries including medical
malpractice, construction accidents, wrongful death, insurance coverage disputes,
car accidents and product liability. The firm has successfully received million-
and multimillion-dollar verdicts and settlements on behalf of their clients. To
learn more about the Philadelphia injury lawyers that comprise Sheridan & Murray,
visit www.SheridanAndMurray.com.
Press Release Contact
Thomas W. Sheridan, Esquire
Sheridan & Murray, LLC
1500 Market Street
Centre Square West – 38th Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19102