Ky. Officers Sue Over Holiday Party Injuries

Two Lexington, Kentucky police officers who were injured breaking up a large fight at a hotel have filed a lawsuit claiming the partygoers were served too much alcohol.

Officer Randall Combs injured his shoulder and Officer Derrick Wallace dislocated his thumb on Dec. 20, 2007, at an unruly holiday party at the Crowne Plaza-Campbell House.

The Lexington Herald-Leader reported the officers each filed lawsuits against Crowne Plaza and Shepherd Communications Inc., the company that threw the party. The lawsuit also names Daniel Lee Billings, a party attendant who was charged with assault for fighting with the officers.

Attorney Frank Jenkins, who represents the officers, said the hotel’s insurance company said that a catering service supplied the alcohol. The catering company is not identified in the lawsuits. ‘It is our contention that the serving of alcoholic beverages by the hotel was not properly supervised and the members of the party became, as best as we can tell, extremely intoxicated,” Jenkins said.

The lawsuits seek damages for pain and suffering; fright, shock and mental anguish; lost wages; medical expenses; loss of enjoyment of life; and attorney fees.

See More From This Issue