A horrific incident at Chicago's Navy Pier Offshore Rooftop restaurant has led to a lawsuit after a woman suffered disfiguring burns during a corporate gathering, as reported by WGN News. Twenty-five-year-old Kira Bond, a recent hire at investment firm Nuveen, was attending an event with colleagues when a Maverick Management employee allegedly caused a dangerous fireball by pouring a combustible substance, believed to be alcohol, onto an open flame. This act, according to her legal representation, WGN News reports, has had catastrophic repercussions.
"I had just started this job a few weeks before the accident, so not ideal to get set on fire in front of your coworkers," Bond recounted, detailing the intense physical and emotional pain she experienced, as per an interview with WGN News. Suffering from second and third-degree burns, Bond was immediately rushed to Stroger Hospital in critical condition. The lawsuit, filed by Tim Cavanagh of Cavanagh Sorich Law Group, questions the nature of the accelerant used, while pointing out what seems to be a clear case of negligence on the part of the restaurant's staff.
The fire, which occurred during a private event at the restaurant's food station, was captured on security footage, ABC7 Chicago detailed. The complaint, also filed by Cavanagh Sorich Law Group and reported by ABC7 Chicago, alleges that flames erupted after the ill-fated addition of the accelerant to a fire intended for roasting marshmallows. Multiple people, including Bond, were engulfed in the sudden blaze.
The impact of the tragedy has been acute, with Bond undergoing multiple surgeries and skin grafts, indicating the extensive nature of her injuries. Bond expressed concerns about her return to work, fearing differential treatment as a result of her ordeal. Both Maverick Hotels and Restaurants and the Offshore Rooftop have not publicly commented on the litigation at the time of writing. However, in the wake of the incident, the Maverick group had expressed concern for the injured and an ongoing commitment to safety. "Our hearts are with the three individuals injured last night and we are staying closely connected to their status," they stated after the accident, in comments obtained by ABC7 Chicago.
