Trial Magazine

Jerry Brown, 25, was a passenger in a car driven by his friend, Joshua Price-Brent, who had been drinking that night at the private club Privae Lounge. Price-Brent began to speed and lost control of his vehicle. The car struck a curb, slid into a ditch, and overturned. Brown, who initially survived the collision, later died of his injuries. He is survived by his mother.

A jury later convicted Price-Brent of intoxication manslaughter. 

Brown’s mother, individually and on behalf of his estate, sued the owner and manager of Privae Lounge for Brown’s wrongful death, alleging dram shop liability for the defendants’ over-service of alcohol to Price-Brent. The plaintiffs also sued Price-Brent for Brown’s wrongful death, alleging negligence. Suit did not claim lost income.

The jury awarded $25 million.

Citation: Jackson v. Beamers Private Club, No. DC-13-13245 (Tex. Dist. Ct. Dallas Cnty. Dec. 13, 2018).

Plaintiff counsel: AAJ member Charla Aldous, AAJ member Brent Walker, E. Leon Carter, and Joshua Bennett, all of Dallas.