My son Blaine was murdered at work in 2001. He worked at subway. He was the victim of a robbery. His co-worker Jennifer, who he protected from the gunshot that killed him, did NOT know where the panic button was located, as she was not thoroughly trained, and thus had no chance to alert police who were a mere block away during this time. And so it was today, with what would have been Blaine's 21st birthday coming on Monday, a judge awarded me family a paltry $200 and stated that subay is not liable for my sons death. I will not breath my last breathe until I can form some sort of organization that alerts employers to protect employees from this kind of horrid crime....what are your thoughts :-\\ I cringe everytime I see or hear a subway commercial..and so do Blaine's brothers :\'(

shocking and very sad,Mark..also unbelievable that it took so long for such a pathetic decision.

shocking and very sad,Mark..also unbelievable that it took so long for such a pathetic decision.
Thank you, Maria :-* I left out that we had requested that any money awarded go to educating employers to better protect thier employees. I vow to begin an organization that can do just this....maybe that can be my present/promise to Blaine on Monday...his 21st birthday

Thank you, Maria :-* I left out that we had requested that any money awarded go to educating employers to better protect thier employees. I vow to begin an organization that can do just this....maybe that can be my present/promise to Blaine on Monday...his 21st birthday


sounds like a plan  :)

I'm sorry Mark, but I have to agree with the judge unless you sued the private owner of the particular franchise where he worked.  I think you might have a case there for negligence in not training the employees thoroughly.  There is nothing that Subway (or any company) could have done to prevent this type of crime.  It's the criminal who is to blame.
It was indeed the person and the franchise they owned that we were suing. As for the bohemith head offices, they had a new franchise owner placed and for a whopping 3 weeks they adopted a policy that nobody under 25 would work there unless they were with at least 2 other people over 25, especially at night. Like I said, 3 weeks went by and they had tens back in there and sometimes just 1 person by themselves. The whole point of our case was to try and open "subways" eyes to the need for adults with the kids....possibly even, dare I suggest to them....a security guard....or even a security guard to come in during the last couple hours so that these kids aren't all alone when it's time to close up and go home. I'm sorry for not being more clear in the original post....I'm still pretty upset but my head is clearer.

I think that Subway is at fault, for not telling the employees ahead of time where the panic button is located, but unfortunatly, that's the legal system for you.  >:(

I think that Subway is at fault, for not telling the employees ahead of time where the panic button is located, but unfortunatly, that's the legal system for you.  >:(
I appreciate that Jamie, but like Cheer said, it was the franchise that erred. I just believe that the huge cooperation should be doing a LOT more to protect thier employees. Heck, even the local 7-11's have thier employees supplied with a panic button in thier pocket. It's just ridiculous how subway doesn't offer better protection. I'm working with an organization out here called M.O.M.Y (Mothers Of Murdered Youth) trying to get something going to wake these places up!

He saved the life of another person, the greatest deed, and he lives on within his Mother and you. Try to channel your thoughts so as not to see all the horrors in the world, and take comfort in music and song, the things you love.

You can't put a price on pain and suffering, Mark. This judge was wrong and should not be practicing law, let alone criminal law. I hope you'll receive a better settlement in another court.

He saved the life of another person, the greatest deed, and he lives on within his Mother and you. Try to channel your thoughts so as not to see all the horrors in the world, and take comfort in music and song, the things you love.
Thanks bj26....I just want subway and other places like them that employ kids, to DO something so this doesn't have to happen to anyone else.

You can't put a price on pain and suffering, Mark. This judge was wrong and should not be practicing law, let alone criminal law. I hope you'll receive a better settlement in another court.
I would've liked to been able to start an organization to "Educate" these places on employee safety. subway makes enough money to have a security guard on duty at least in the last hour or two ::)

Im very sorry about your loss, how terrible.  I think you should of received much more compensation, especially for the cause it was going to.  Is the a**hole who did this behind bars?  I really hope so.

I too am very sorry to hear this.  I think it's admirable that your goal is to make the workplace safer for other people.  I can't believe the judge awarded $200.00 knowing that this is what you wanted to do.  Why award anything at all? 

I wish you the best of luck in your orgizational endeavors.  Please keep us all posted on your progress, and know that our thoughts and prayers are with you.

That sucks, especially because any money would have went to help train people to deal with incidents such as this. Stupid judge. :P

NO! That's a slap in the face as I see it. Like Ashkicksa*s said "Why award anything at all?" That's just wrong.

That's a bit clearer...thanks.  I still don't think a security guard would've done much good.  My SIL works for a bank that has armed security guards and they've been robbed 3 times in the past year in broad daylight.  These people were hell bent on robbing the store and would've done it whether an adult or 2 were there or not.   That being said, I still think the franchise owner was negligent for not showing every employee where the panic button was.  It's up to the employer to provide security.  I asked a friend of mine who works at a 7-11 about the pocket panic buttons & she said that they don't have them at any of the stores (3) she manages, but she thought it was a good idea.  However, one of her stores was robbed when there was a cop inside (using the "facilities") with his car parked right outside the front door :o
Yeah, I'm sorry I wasn't clear in the first place....I shouldn't post right after recieving news like that :-\\ As for your reply....I think that if people are crazy enough they will do anything at any time. It's just that in that situation where Blaine died....I honestly believe it would not have happened had thier been better security. For instance....a detective told us that there was a cop just a block away when it was happening....panic button pushed....cop hits the sirens and the idiot runs out without shooting Blaine. I know, I know....I go on and on about this but I'm trying to deal with it in such a way so that others may have a better chance to survive a robbery. Bottom line for Blaine, like he told me twice in dreams...I must let him go and just know that he is alright. Easier said than done, especially this time of year, and of course in April :\'(

The decision aside I just want to say how sorry I am for you Mark, as a father I couldn't imagine such a loss, my condolences to you and your family

The decision aside I just want to say how sorry I am for you Mark, as a father I couldn't imagine such a loss, my condolences to you and your family

NO! That's a slap in the face as I see it. Like Ashkicksa*s said "Why award anything at all?" That's just wrong.

That sucks, especially because any money would have went to help train people to deal with incidents such as this. Stupid judge. :P

I too am very sorry to hear this. I think it's admirable that your goal is to make the workplace safer for other people. I can't believe the judge awarded $200.00 knowing that this is what you wanted to do. Why award anything at all?

I wish you the best of luck in your orgizational endeavors. Please keep us all posted on your progress, and know that our thoughts and prayers are with you.



Im very sorry about your loss, how terrible. I think you should of received much more compensation, especially for the cause it was going to. Is the a**hole who did this behind bars? I really hope so.

You can't put a price on pain and suffering, Mark. This judge was wrong and should not be practicing law, let alone criminal law. I hope you'll receive a better settlement in another court.

He saved the life of another person, the greatest deed, and he lives on within his Mother and you. Try to channel your thoughts so as not to see all the horrors in the world, and take comfort in music and song, the things you love.
Thanks to all of you for making today a little more bearable.....

I voted 'unfair' too. I see so many compensation adverts saying they have awarded Mrs Smith from Hampshire £500 (about $800?) because she slipped and fell at work.

Sorry for the bad decision, I hope you can get an appeal very soon. I hope we can collectively help you in some small way to get through this troubling time.  :)

Those pocket alarms are great to have.  I used to work at 7-11 and we had the remotes and the panic button.  I only had to use the panic button once, but the police are very quick about responding.

The $200 doesn't sound fair, but did the judge give any reasoning as to why he awarded so little?

Those pocket alarms are great to have.  I used to work at 7-11 and we had the remotes and the panic button.  I only had to use the panic button once, but the police are very quick about responding.

The $200 doesn't sound fair, but did the judge give any reasoning as to why he awarded so little?
Thanks for the support, Dagny :) Kim hit it on the head...the big coporation isn't hardly at all to blame. That falls on the franchise owner. I'm just trying to find a way to get something out there for subway and other places that hire kids, to be more aware of the danger they are placing them in and looking for more ways to protect them. In Blaine's case the cop that was a block away stated that he would've been there almost instantly....possibly changing the outcome, but we'll never know :-\\

Their is something deathly wrong with this world RocknRollfan. I want you to know that I care about you, your son, and the situation and your in my prayers.

Their is something deathly wrong with this world RocknRollfan. I want you to know that I care about you, your son, and the situation and your in my prayers.
I appreciate that very much, Harmonica :)

I'm sorry If I said something wrong Mark.I hope I didn't offend you. :(



Howard

I'm sorry If I said something wrong Mark.I hope I didn't offend you. :(



Howard
Howard, no apology is neccessary. I appreciate knowing you and am happy you are in this wonderful community  :)

Howard, no apology is neccessary. I appreciate knowing you and am happy you are in this wonderful community  :)



Thank You. :)



Howard

I read your post this morning and I wanted to respond then but I was at work and wanted to have the time to think about it, to have something amazingly uplifting to say to you to try to ease your pain.  Here it is nearly 10 hours later and what I've realized is that as a mother of two sons myself, I cannot for the life of me, in any shape form or fashion, imagine the kind of suffering that you've had to endure from the loss of your son, especially in such a callous, untimely way.

I just want you to know, from the bottom of my heart how truly and sincerely sorry that I am.  I know that all of us parents who have read your thread today will hug their children just a little bit tighter tonight.

I read your post this morning and I wanted to respond then but I was at work and wanted to have the time to think about it, to have something amazingly uplifting to say to you to try to ease your pain.  Here it is nearly 10 hours later and what I've realized is that as a mother of two sons myself, I cannot for the life of me, in any shape form or fashion, imagine the kind of suffering that you've had to endure from the loss of your son, especially in such a callous, untimely way.

I just want you to know, from the bottom of my heart how truly and sincerely sorry that I am.  I know that all of us parents who have read your thread today will hug their children just a little bit tighter tonight.


Such a wonderful post, 80s lady.  :)

I read your post this morning and I wanted to respond then but I was at work and wanted to have the time to think about it, to have something amazingly uplifting to say to you to try to ease your pain.  Here it is nearly 10 hours later and what I've realized is that as a mother of two sons myself, I cannot for the life of me, in any shape form or fashion, imagine the kind of suffering that you've had to endure from the loss of your son, especially in such a callous, untimely way.

I just want you to know, from the bottom of my heart how truly and sincerely sorry that I am.  I know that all of us parents who have read your thread today will hug their children just a little bit tighter tonight.
I do not know what to say...that was very beautiful. If you were meaning to touch my soul, you more than succeeded.

I read your post this morning and I wanted to respond then but I was at work and wanted to have the time to think about it, to have something amazingly uplifting to say to you to try to ease your pain.  Here it is nearly 10 hours later and what I've realized is that as a mother of two sons myself, I cannot for the life of me, in any shape form or fashion, imagine the kind of suffering that you've had to endure from the loss of your son, especially in such a callous, untimely way.

I just want you to know, from the bottom of my heart how truly and sincerely sorry that I am.  I know that all of us parents who have read your thread today will hug their children just a little bit tighter tonight.


perfect.

Very tragic and unfair, Mark.  There is obviously no way to tell when crimes like this are going to occur, but I agree with you in that the company should have hired security guards to help protect the kids that work there.  :(

Very tragic and unfair, Mark.  There is obviously no way to tell when crimes like this are going to occur, but I agree with you in that the company should have hired security guards to help protect the kids that work there.  :(
Thanks Karen, I appreciate your input :)

I know how you feel Mark.this coming June will make it 10 years since my brother passed away in his sleep from a diabetic coma.I don't know what else to say but you are in my prayers. ;)



Howard

No, I don't think it's fair. I hope true justice is made of this horrible episode.

Tanya

No, I don't think it's fair. I hope true justice is made of this horrible episode.

Tanya
Thanks, Tanya :)

I'm sorry to hear that. Of crouse it's not fair. Judges never seem to be fair do they.

I'm sorry to hear that. Of crouse it's not fair. Judges never seem to be fair do they.
I sure don't think this one was..but Thanks, JohnTaylorsHeart :)

I've been sitting thinking of the things I could say to show my sadness. I was unaware of how your son had died but remembered that he had.

I think that you can start and get money to help train people if companies feel that they can't waste their time\money on these small details.  >:(

I belong to A Red Cross group called Youth COuncil and we always do things and try to raise money fro causes that not many people know about. We have recently been trying to raise money fro the Measles INitiative (in Africa) but I think my group would jump at the chance to help, so that more young people are not murdered due to their lack of training. We are all high school students who have jobs and sometimes we all have to lock up at 11PM or Midnight.

The fact that you recieved a mere $200 for yours sons death, is nagging at my mind. WHy so little? What did the judge say? I don't mean to pry but this makes no sense to me. Your son died becuase of the negligence of the person who trained the workers.

I agree also that your sons death was not in vain, for there could have been 2 murders, and only one. Thanks to him. I hope hte girl he saved, will try and help you in your endeavors.

One way that you can make people aware is through the media. Write a small story and send it to as many newspapers as possible. More than liekly they will either print it or call and ask you about the incident. If Subways profits drop due to bad media, than they will make a change. Sorry to all the 15 year olds who want jobs, but I think saving people lives is more important than making money.

I hope you don't get upset If I asked you this. Do you have a special tree planted in his honor?  :(



Howard

I hope you don't get upset If I asked you this. Do you have a special tree planted in his honor?  :(



Howard
Of course I won't get mad, Howard :) I actually moved a very small tree the day before he died. I put in a spot where I had tried a few times before to get a tree to grow, bad had no luck up to that point....anyway, Blaine came home from school that day and I remember him kinda smiling slyly at me. He told me something like, "Oh, trying another tree, huh?!". We both laughed together but that tree survived. Every time I drive by my old house I see that tree and think of him and that day....