Jane Doe Files Lawsuit Against Chicago White Sox, At Your Service, and Illinois Sports Facilities Authority Following Shooting Incident at Guaranteed Rate Field
Cook County, Illinois — August 22, 2024 — A lawsuit has been filed in Cook County Circuit Court on behalf of Jane Doe (name withheld pursuant to 735 ILCS 5/2-401(e)) against the Chicago White Sox, Ltd., At Your Service, LLC, and the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority, a municipal corporation, following a shooting incident at Guaranteed Rate Field on August 25, 2023.
The multi-count complaint, which was filed in the Law Division, alleges negligence and recklessness on the part of the defendants. Jane Doe sustained injuries in a shooting that occurred at the stadium during a White Sox game. The suit seeks an unspecified amount of damages in excess of $50,000 for personal injuries, pecuniary losses, and other damages—including past, present, and future losses resulting from the incident.
The lawsuit stems from an incident in which a firearm was reportedly allowed into the ballpark and discharged, resulting in Jane Doe suffering gunshot injuries. Firearms are strictly prohibited at Guaranteed Rate Field, and the complaint asserts that the defendants failed to adequately enforce this policy.
According to John J. Malm, attorney for Jane Doe, “The defendants had a duty to protect attendees from foreseeable dangers, including firearms. Our client, an innocent attendee, suffered serious injuries as a result of the failure to take proper security measures, we believe.” The lawsuit highlights concerns regarding stadium security protocols by the Chicago White Sox and At Your Service, LLC, and oversight by the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority, which owns Guaranteed Rate Field.
Regarding Previous Speculation and Misinformation About the Incident: In the aftermath of the shooting, various reports and statements led to news media and social media speculation, which unfairly and falsely suggested that Jane Doe smuggled a firearm into the stadium and accidentally shot herself. She did neither. In fact, there is no evidence to support such claims.
“Some of the media attention that followed my client in the days after she was shot, including statements circulated on social media and radio broadcasts, was simply not true.” – attorney John Malm.
“Speculation and misinformation have only served to compound the trauma experienced by our client. The facts of this case will show that our client, referred to in the complaint as “Jane Doe”, is a life-long Chicago White Sox fan who became an innocent victim of a shooting while seated in the bleachers at Guaranteed Rate Field –as she attended a baseball game with her family and friends.” –attorney John Malm.
“The court has entered an order allowing our client to file her complaint with her name withheld, styled as “Jane Doe” to protect her identity, considering the harm already caused to her and to prevent any further harm.”-attorney John Malm.
The case will proceed in the Cook County Circuit Court, and further developments will be provided as the case progresses.
-END-
About John J. Malm & Associates:
John J. Malm & Associates is a personal injury law firm based in Naperville, IL. The firm is known for its advocacy on behalf of injured individuals and their families, and its commitment to exceeding client expectations. With a focus on personal injury and wrongful death litigation, the firm has built a reputation for achieving outstanding results for its clients.
Media Contact:
John J. Malm
Law Offices of John J. Malm & Associates
1730 Park Street, Suite 201
Naperville, IL 60563
Email: john@malmlegal.com
Telephone: 630-527-4177
If you post a quote or information from this press release, we kindly ask that you provide a link to the full press release.