BRYAN PATA Family awarded $2 millio

[Southpaw]

I am biting my tongue on this one.

BRYAN PATA
Family awarded $2 million
The parents of slain UM star Bryan Pata were awarded a $2 million settlement from his apartment complex's insurance company.
BY BARRY JACKSON
[email protected]

Though the Bryan Pata murder case remains unsolved, his family received financial relief Tuesday when the insurance companies of the apartment where Pata lived agreed to pay a $2 million settlement to his parents, Jeanette and Pierre.

Andrew Haggard, the family's attorney, said if a settlement had not been reached by 5 p.m. Tuesday, the Patas would have filed a lawsuit, alleging negligent apartment security.

Pata, the former UM defensive lineman, returned to The Colony Apartment in Kendall at about 7:15 p.m. last Nov. 7, parked in his designated space and walked toward the steps leading to his second-story apartment when he was shot and killed.

''It was totally dark,'' said Haggard, of Haggard Law Firm in Coral Gables. ``An overhead light was obscured by bushes and trees. He had to park in front of a dumpster. Anybody could hide behind the dumpster and not be detected.

``The gate next to his parking space was left open until 10 p.m., and no security guard was on duty until 10 p.m. They had advertised 24-hour security, and they didn't provide that. Of all the negligent security cases I've handled [during 30 years], that's as reckless and dangerous a situation as I've seen.''

Pata's parents, who haven't been together since 1993, will receive the full policy limit from both of Colony's insurance companies (two $1 million payouts).

Andrew Stone, an attorney for Colony, didn't return a phone message.

For 25 years (until 2002), Jeanette Pata juggled two jobs as a maid at local hotels to support her nine children. She couldn't work recently because of diabetes, son Edwin said.

The family has been ''in dire straits money wise,'' Haggard said. Bryan Pata, who was a senior, had promised to take care of his mother and siblings once he signed an NFL contract.

''At least Bryan's dream of helping his mother can happen in some way,'' Edwin Pata said. ``It's not closure, but it helps.''

 

[Heucrazy]

Cashing in on a tragedy. The American way.

 

[Linderbee]

I haven't even heard of this case before, but just given the article Wally posted...IF they advertised 24-hour security, and IF that was one of the reasons he chose that particular complex, and IF what the rest of the story said was true, then I agree the family deserved some sort of reparations.

 

[Ryanwb]

Cashing in on a tragedy. The American way.

No kidding....

I'm sure all the rent for every resident in that complex will go up and up to offset the greed

 

[Southpaw]

I haven't even heard of this case before, but just given the article Wally posted...IF they advertised 24-hour security, and IF that was one of the reasons he chose that particular complex, and IF what the rest of the story said was true, then I agree the family deserved some sort of reparations.

Believe me , it is unfounded. His family lost a meal ticket when he died. They have threatened to sue the University.

12 family members planned to live off of his predicted 4th round draft bonus.

 

[MigratingOsprey]

this stuff is VERY common - it's not my line of coverage, but i've seen many GL loss runs - also trust me on this, insurance companies don't pay out $2M unless they feel it will be less costly than the alternative

also, the apartment company will have a higher insurance premium and probably a higher retention - but i'm sure they carry more than a $2M limit for bodily injury/property damage

 

[Taco]

Wow