A Cook County estate administrator is suing two businesses and an individual, alleging wrongful death in the death of a professional dancer who was crushed by heavy equipment.
Vanessa Storr brought a complaint on behalf of Marco Antonio Huicochea-Gonzalez, deceased, against 5070 North Kimberly LLC, C5 Ltd. and Jeremy Plummer on June 23 in Cook County Circuit Court, alleging negligence in the January 2014 incident.
According to the filing, the decedent was employed by DanceWorks Chicago; his employer leased rehearsal space from the defendant “5070."
Court documents indicate that on Jan. 13, 2014, when Marco was using aerial apparatus in the dance studio, the 300-pound solid aluminum structure came crashing down on the man, causing severe injuries that killed him.
The lawsuit states that the defendants were negligent by failing to keep the studio property safe for dancers, maintain the area to prevent injury, provide proper storage for the aerial equipment, warn dancers of the dangers associated with the apparatus, restrict access to the area where it was located, and train dancers to use it properly.
The complaint argues that Huicochea-Gonzalez’s surviving family members have suffered pecuniary losses as well as his companionship, love and affection.
The estate seeks damages in excess of $50,000 plus attorneys’ fees and costs. Storr is represented in the case by Jonathan Mincieli of Meyers & Flowers in St. Charles and Chicago.
Cook County Circuit Court case number 2015L0006377.