Applebee’s Settles Lawsuit after Dallas Drunk Driving Accident

Popular restaurant chain Applebee’s has settled a Dallas personal injury lawsuit with a family that says the company should never have served so much alcohol to a patron in the hours before a serious car accident that seriously and permanently injured their son.
According to Dallas-Fort Worth news sources, Stewart Richardson drank 23 alcoholic beverages at Applebee’s in Mansfield in under two hours before getting behind the wheel of his car. Minutes later, he rear-ended a family as they waited at a stop light in Arlington. His blood alcohol level was over three times the legal limit at the time of the Texas car accident.
The parents of the now six-year-old Abdallah Khader, Loubna Elhazarin, and Fahad Khader, say that their son suffered a severe traumatic brain injury that left 80 percent of his brain damaged and resulted in a permanent head injury that requires around-the-clock care and millions in ongoing medical costs. Their lawsuit, which was settled for an undisclosed amount, originally asked for $10 million in damages that included medical care, as well as pain, suffering, and mental anguish. They stated that the settlement would be enough to get Abdallah the care he needs, including a handicap-friendly vehicle to help transport him to appointments and activities.
Stewart Richardson is awaiting trial. He has seven past DUI convictions, but since they are not in the state of Texas, they will only be seen as misdemeanors. The family of Khader will appeal that decision. If they are seen as felonies, Richardson could face life in prison.
Update (01/11/2015): Eight-year-old Abdallah Khader has passed away.