Family of Chicago’s Pigeon Man Sues Van Driver for Wrongful Death
The family of a Lincoln Square icon that died in Chicago last year after being struck by a van is suing the driver for his wrongful death. Joseph Zeman, known as the “Pigeon Man of Lincoln Square,” died on December 18 in a pedestrian accident at Devon Avenue and McCormick Road.
The 77-year-old was a famous icon who spent hours sitting on a fire hydrant located on the corner of Western and Lawrence. He was usually surrounded and perched on by a large group of pigeons.
The driver of the van, Isaac Fadida, reportedly did not see Zeman. Fadida was turning right after exiting a parking lot. The van dragged Zeman’s body until a witness told the driver to stop. The Pigeon Man was declared dead at St. Francis Hospital in Evanston soon after.
Last month, Fadida was found guilty of driving with an unsafe vehicle and failure to exercise due care to avoid striking a pedestrian. The van he was driving was 16 years old and had defective brakes.
According to CyberdriveIllinois.com, there were 164 pedestrian deaths in Illinois in 2005. Pedestrian injuries are usually serious injuries, and for the pedestrians that recover, they may have to contend with long and costly recoveries from broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and other serious injuries.
You have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. If your loved one died in a pedestrian accident caused by driver negligence, you may be entitled to wrongful death compensation.
'Pigeon Man's' family sues, Chicago Sun-TImes, June 18, 2008
'Pigeon man' struck, killed by van, ChicagoTribune.com, December 19, 2007
Related Web Resources:
Pedestrian Crash Facts, WalkingInfo.org
Pedestrian Safety, Federal Highway Administration
Pedestrian Safety, CyberDriveIllinois.com
