Michelle Deal’s older son, Jordan Halbritter, was a lessee of an apartment located at Campus Park at the Ridge, which is owned by the defendant, according to a complaint filed April 15 in Monongalia Circuit Court.
Deal claims on April 18, 2014, the defendant sponsored and hosted a party at the apartment complex and advertised the part as “Red Cup Nation Presents Best Time of My Life Pool Party” and advertised it as a “BYOB” party.
The majority of the residents at the apartment complex were young adults who were under the age of 21 and were students at West Virginia University and who would have been prohibited from partaking of or consuming the alcoholic beverages that were available at the party, according to the suit.
Deal claims Halbritter attended the party and her minor son, Trenton G. Deal, who was visiting Halbritter, also attended the party.
The defendant, in violation of West Virginia code, permitted minor children under the age of 18 to attend and remain at the party, where alcoholic beverages were being freely provided without any safe guards to ensure that someone under the age of 18 did not consume them, according to the suit.
Michelle Deal claims as a result of the defendant’s recklessness, carelessness and negligent conduct, Trenton Deal consumed alcoholic beverages and was severely injured and hospitalized.
Due to the defendant’s negligence, Trenton Deal sustained medical and doctor bills; loss of ability to enjoy life; pain and suffering; frustration and mental anguish; shame and humiliation; and loss of companionship and society, according to the suit.
Michelle Deal is seeking compensatory and punitive damages with pre- and post-judgment interest. She is being represented by Steven L. Shaffer and C. Paul Estep of Estep & Shaffer LC.
Monongalia Circuit Court case number: 16-C-238