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BEVERLY HIGHTOWER as Administrator of the Estate of LEVANGELIST HIGHTOWER her son deceased Plaintiff
vs.
WILLIE J. HARRIS FEDERAL SECURITY INC. LILLIAN LOGGINS and the CHICAGO HOUSING AUTHORITY Defendants. CHICAGO HOUSING AUTHORITY Cross-plaintiff v. FEDERAL SECURITY INC. Cross-defendant.
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Issues:
public policy, employer liability.
Case Summary:
Officials with the Chicago Housing Authority file a cross claim against Federal Security, Inc., a private company contracted to provide security services in CHA buildings. The cross suits emerged in the aftermath of a wrongful death suit against the CHA. Beverly Hightower filed suit on behalf of her son, Levangelist. The suit charged two security guards, employed by Federal Security, shot and killed Hightower in a CHA building. The suit also charged the CHA with negligence in hiring, training, and retaining Federal Security. Ms. Hightower settled with Federal Security and its employees prior to the trial. She settled with the CHA the day the trial was scheduled to begin. The CHA and Federal Security responded to each other's suits with motions for summary judgment.
Decision of lower jurisdiction:
This is the first judicial review of this case.
Outcome:
Federal Security wins. The U. S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division, granted Federal Security's motion for summary judgment. The court ruled the contract between Federal Security and the CHA did not require Federal Security to insure the CHA for its direct negligence.