Woman says wind-blown umbrella at Brookfield Zoo injured her, sues zoo

A woman is suing Brookfield Zoo, claiming she was injured after being struck by a picnic table umbrella while visiting the zoo in 2013.

Wanda King-Franklin filed suit May 13 in Cook County Circuit Court against the Chicago Zoological Society, which operates Brookfield Zoo, citing breach of duty in a May 2013 injury.

King-Franklin was a visitor at Brookfield Zoo on May 20, 2013. The suit claims at about 11 a.m., she was struck by an unsecured picnic table umbrella blown by the wind.

She cites the suburban Chicago zoo with negligent acts and/or omissions including improperly managing, operating, maintaining and controlling its premises to keep it safe; failing to warn visitors the umbrella was unsecured; neglecting to inspect the umbrellas when it should have known such inspection was necessary to prevent injuries; and failing to secure the umbrella so it would not fall due to wind.

King-Franklin claims to have sustained serious and permanent injuries requiring medical treatment. The suit cites pain, anguish, physical and mental suffering, along with impaired earning capacity and seeks compensation of more than $50,000, plus attorneys’ fees and costs. King-Franklin is represented in the case by Jon Topolewski, of Ankin Law Office in Chicago.

Cook County Circuit Court Case No.: 15-L-4892