Woman paralyzed in hayride accident at Jenny's Market files lawsuit
A woman who was paralyzed after being thrown from a hayride she was leading last fall is alleging in a lawsuit that her employer, Jenny’s Dexter Market in Webster Township, provided her with faulty equipment and didn't fix it when she complained about it.
Mary Armbruster, 23, of Ann Arbor is suing Jenny’s Dexter Market, as well as Jennifer Lambers, who owns the business on Island Lake Road, and Lambers’ father, Burton Hoey, who runs it.
Mary Armbruster was paralyzed from the waist down after a hayride accident at Jenny's Dexter Market in September.
In September, Armbruster was attempting to get control of two horses on the property when she was thrown from the wagon and run over, suffering a fractured spine. She was left paralyzed from the waist down and spent more than two months in the hospital.
The lawsuit, filed Tuesday in Washtenaw County Circuit Court, seeks an unspecified amount of money. It says only that the amount “substantially exceeds” $25,000.
Lambers declined to comment on the lawsuit Wednesday, and Hoey could not be reached for comment.
According to the lawsuit, Armbruster asked to work at the market on weekends to give hayrides to customers. The market provided her reins for a two-horse team that were "mismatched and uneven," causing her to "have to hold one rein in each hand to adequately steer the two horses," the lawsuit says. In addition, the seat she used wasn't bolted to the wagon, the lawsuit claims. Armbruster complained about the reins and seat, the lawsuit says, but the equipment wasn't fixed.
On Sept. 24, the lawsuits claims Armbruster was driving the wagon and pulled back on the reins while seated, trying to prevent the horses from running down a hill. The seat came loose, the lawsuit says, leaving Armbruster standing on the wagon. Then, the horses bolted, the lawsuit claims, and Armbruster attempted to slow them down, so they would turn and not run into the road. While holding a rein in each hand, the lawsuit claims she "was jerked off the front of the wagon, and was run over."
According to the lawsuit, the business set a "course for the hayride which required the wagon to be driven down a steep, dangerously unsafe hill with uneven ground."
Armbruster is facing hundreds of thousands of dollars in current and future medical bills and continues to suffer physical and mental pain, the lawsuit says.
A day after the accident, the township cited the market for nine zoning violations. Those violations were not related to the accident. Less than two weeks later, the state Department of Agriculture conducted an inspection and found six critical violations of food safety rules. And two days after that, a 22-month-old boy fell off a pony at the market and was taken to a hospital to be treated for injuries.
Lee Higgins covers crime and courts for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached by phone at (734) 623-2527 and email at leehiggins@annarbor.com.
Comments
Erik Peterson
Thu, Jan 12, 2012 : 2:44 p.m.
Jenny, I don't know if you read this but, you need to have your own attorney, the one that only serves your interests, not jointly with Burton.
A Dexter Person
Sat, Jan 7, 2012 : 9:45 p.m.
In regards to comments that Ms. Armbruster should have refused to work in a risky situation: Remember when you were in your late teens and early 20's? You thought you'd never get hurt or die. Young people think they are invincible. They don't think about the "what if's" &/or risks. Plus, this young lady may have been too shy to stand up to her boss. It is an employers' legal and moral duty to ensure a safe environment for his/her employees and patrons. Perhaps if regular inspections from officials, (township, fire dept., state agencies), were allowed by Hoey, unsafe equipment and areas would have been found, cited and hopefully corrected. Yes it is sad. Ms. Lambers, who doesn't even live in the area, allowed her father to put the property in her name for his personal reasons. She allowed him to do whatever he wanted with "her"property" without her involvement. Legally she is just as responsible as her father. To Ms. Armbruster, I am so sorry this happened to you. I hope that you will eventually live a productive life and that your accident will be a lesson to anyone who operates a business for public enjoyment. Hopefully stronger guidelines for this type of operation will be put in place so an accident like this won't happen again to someone else. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
lumberg48108
Fri, Jan 6, 2012 : 8:19 p.m.
years ago when I was laid off I took a position at Willow Run airport fueling planes. On my second day I was told to stand on the TOP step of a 10 foot ladder to reach the fuel entry point on the plane I could barely reach it even while stretching. No one was under me. One gust of wind and down I would have went. It was also like 5 below outside. I was in between jobs and needed the money (unemployment ran out) but I knew this was unsafe. After I completed the task it I walked in and told the supervisor I would never do such a thing again (put myself at risk) and he could fire me or have me do something else. I never was put in that position again and the supervisor even went as far as making sure others did not as well (in fairness to him, he was not on the ramp with me.) My point? I knew it was unsafe and decided my life was more important than a crappy temp job. We all have to make our own decisions and live with them.
justcurious
Sat, Jan 7, 2012 : 2:18 a.m.
This is quite obviously a case of blaming the victim. "My point? I knew it was unsafe and decided my life was more important than a crappy temp job. We all have to make our own decisions and live with them." She chose to drive the team (before Mr. Hoey fixed the problems) and has to live (paralyzed) with that decision?
Amy Lesemann
Fri, Jan 6, 2012 : 6:24 p.m.
Dear Kade - Refusing to work under unsafe conditions is something many people can't afford to do. Sure, it's great in theory - but this is not a unionized job. What do you think would've happened if she'd refused to use the wagon? I'm betting she might have gotten fired - maybe not for that, per se, but many employers find another reason to fire an "uncooperative" employee. When you need work you sometimes put up with a lot.
Kade
Fri, Jan 6, 2012 : 10:07 p.m.
Amy- I've never had a unionized job in my life and if I felt something was a danger to my physical safety or the wagonload of people I was charged with driving, I'd protect myself from harm as well as any potential threat of lawsuit--especially in light of this lack of protection. A difficult decision? Perhaps. Might I be fired and have to find another job? Perhaps. Your response sounds like rationalizing an incredibly unfortnate accident after the fact. Surmising that this was a choice based on job retention/financial necessity or fear of getting fired is something neither you nor I have any credence or evidence to ascertain.
justcurious
Fri, Jan 6, 2012 : 3:51 a.m.
Here is a link to the actual complain as posted on Heritage.com: <a href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/77255143/Armbruster-Complaint" rel='nofollow'>http://www.scribd.com/doc/77255143/Armbruster-Complaint</a>
Vette96drvr
Fri, Jan 6, 2012 : 2:05 a.m.
I have posted this before and it was immediatly deleted by the staff but going to post it again anyways because there is NOTHING offensive or untrue about it. Maybe a few peoplke will read it before they delete it again. I feel ver bad for the young girl that was injured but it is also sad to see another thing. Named in the lawsuit is Jenny, Burton's daughter. Havent seen anything of her in many years but she was always one of the nicest people you could meet. Apple fell far from the tree there. She has nothing to do with this farm stand short of having her name on it and it being her land. Her trying to help her dad now has her in trouble.
Erik Peterson
Mon, Jan 9, 2012 : 8:51 p.m.
I totally agree, I knew Jenny for years, she was always in a tough spot of having to help out her father, Burton, with this and that. I think she lives somewhere in the west side of the state now. It's sad but as owner of the land and business she could be in real trouble financially on the hook as a result of this suit.
justcurious
Fri, Jan 6, 2012 : 3:07 a.m.
This will get deleted, but there is a reason that her name is on everything and not his.
Goofus
Fri, Jan 6, 2012 : 2:15 a.m.
Having your name on something where something occurred and owning the land it occurred on is more than enough reason to be named in a legal suit.
Fiddlesticks
Fri, Jan 6, 2012 : 12:06 a.m.
Many states now have laws that codify an "inherent risk of equestrian activities", is Michigan one of them? Although I am very sorry for what happened to this person and I have absolutely no claim to knowledge about the specifics of the case, as an avid equestrian I wonder if this incident might qualify under such statutes. Horses are dangerous and unexpected life-threatening incidents are a possibility with ALL horses. Many people don't realize this.
justcurious
Fri, Jan 6, 2012 : 3:47 p.m.
Fiddlesticks: I posted a link to Michigan's law, but it was deleted. It can be found online with due diligence.
justcurious
Fri, Jan 6, 2012 : 2:25 p.m.
I did a little research and found this: <a href="http://asci.uvm.edu/equine/law/equine/mi_equ.htm" rel='nofollow'>http://asci.uvm.edu/equine/law/equine/mi_equ.htm</a> Michigan Equine Activity Statute MICHIGAN COMPILED LAWS ANNOTATED?CHAPTER 691. JUDICIARY?EQUINE ACTIVITY LIABILITY ACT 691.1665. Exceptions to limited liability of equine activity sponsors and professionals?Sec. 5. Section 3 does not prevent or limit the liability of an equine activity sponsor, equine professional, or another person if the equine activity sponsor, equine professional, or other person does any of the following: (a) Provides equipment or tack and knows or should know that the equipment or tack is faulty, and the equipment or tack is faulty to the extent that it is a proximate cause of the injury, death, or damage. (b) Provides an equine and fails to make reasonable and prudent efforts to determine the ability of the participant to engage safely in the equine activity and to determine the ability of the participant to safely manage the particular equine. A person shall not rely upon a participant's representations of his or her ability unless these representations are supported by reasonably sufficient detail. (c) Owns, leases, rents, has authorized use of, or otherwise, is in lawful possession and control of land or facilities on which the participant sustained injury because of a dangerous latent condition of the land or facilities that is known to the equine activity sponsor, equine professional, or other person and for which warning signs are not conspicuously posted. (d) Commits a negligent act or omission that constitutes a proximate cause of the injury, death, or damage.
lgrey
Fri, Jan 6, 2012 : 6:18 a.m.
Note - I am not sure how the owner of the farm market defines Amish style seat, but how I have always understood it is that the seat itself isn't bolted down. But the frame is. Now if the FRAME of the seat was not bolted down, that I could see being considered faulty equipment. Sorry, if there's a way to edit my comments, I haven't found it. But I thought this was an important addition.
lgrey
Fri, Jan 6, 2012 : 6:05 a.m.
There is, yes. However it does state that if the equipment is faulty, the liability is still applicable. JustCurious, the difference between an automobile, skis, smowmobiles, etc, is they do not have minds of their own and can't just decide to take off, rear, buck, etc, whereas a horse can. The thing is in this specific case.. Amish style seats (not bolted down) are not all that uncommon in wagons, so I'm not sure that can be considered faulty.. it is simply how they are designed and made. And to drive a horse, you must use both hands, one rein in each. So I am not sure if that could be considered faulty either, even if one rein was shorter than the other.. it seems as though the lawyers are claiming it is NOT normal to use two hands, when in fact it is necessary to do so. For the specifics on Michigan's equine liability act, google "Michigan Equine Liability Act".
justcurious
Fri, Jan 6, 2012 : 12:44 a.m.
Same with automobiles, skis, snowmobiles, trains, amusement rides, etc., etc. What so special about horses?
OLDTIMER3
Thu, Jan 5, 2012 : 10:38 p.m.
oops, SAFE not sage.I am getting as bad as the staff not proof reading what I wrote.
OLDTIMER3
Thu, Jan 5, 2012 : 10:37 p.m.
According to the link from justcurious it looks like the have workers comp insurance. But that should pay a lot of medical bills for the rest of her life , at least that was my understanding of it when I had an accident at work . It is just a shame that the accident happened at all. I feel they were both to blame , the owner for not making sure everything was safe on equipment and the young lady for not refusing to drive the team if she thought the equipment was unsafe. To bad they weren't unionised then the union woulkd have made sure it was sage.
HaeJee
Thu, Jan 5, 2012 : 9:39 p.m.
I felt sick when I heard about this accident. About 3 years ago, I took our 4 children there and we did the hayride. It was a scary experience. The horses was galloping down the steep hill. I don't think the driver had full control of the situation. I kept thinking if anything broke on that old wagon, we were all toast. We went to the market thereafter, but we never took the hayride again. I also sensed that the owners and manager didn't care much about customer feedback, so we stopped going a few years ago.
Momma G
Thu, Jan 5, 2012 : 9:15 p.m.
This is a sad tragedy for all involved and I hope that she is compensated for her medical bills but have to say this country is way to "sue" happy!
Seabreezecc
Thu, Jan 5, 2012 : 8:17 p.m.
After taking my then 4- and 2-year-olds on a Jenny's hayride and nearly being bounced out of the wagon several times due to the excessive speed of the horses and the bumpy trail, I complained about it not being safe - especially for little children. I presume it was Mr. Hoey who I spoke with, who basically ignored and then humiliated me. I have never done business there again. I wonder how many other complaints went unheard that if properly addressed could have prevented this terrible tragedy? They should be ashamed.
zax
Sun, Jan 8, 2012 : 3:20 p.m.
it's a hayride, what were you expecting a car seat in a smooth limo? Many people like the old fashion feel, going back in time to the way their grandparents would have done it. Obviously less safe, don't do it if you don't want to. but why prevent others from having their experience?
justcurious
Thu, Jan 5, 2012 : 9:19 p.m.
There were many comments from people like you on here over the span of these articles. Unfrtunately some have been erased.
djacks24
Thu, Jan 5, 2012 : 7:38 p.m.
"The market provided her reins for a two-horse team that were "mismatched and uneven," causing her to "have to hold one rein in each hand to adequately steer the two horses," the lawsuit says. In addition, the seat she used wasn't bolted to the wagon" I'm no horse driving expert, but I'm pretty sure you hold a rein in each hand for a team of horses. Furthermore, those seats have a lot of give to absorb the shock of a rough ride. If the seat was truly bolted to the wagon, the driver would absorb every bump.
justcurious
Thu, Jan 5, 2012 : 9:17 p.m.
dJack24 - there were comments here on annarbor.com from people who were actually in the wagon. They said the seat came loose. Hopefully Ms. Armbruster is in contact with them. Mr. Hoey also was quoted as saying it was an "Amish" seat, whatever that means.
djacks24
Thu, Jan 5, 2012 : 9:03 p.m.
"What about springs? Most wagons I was ever on had a spring-like setup, not just a solid seat, and that setup would be tightly bolted to the wagon." That's what I'm talking about when I the seats give over bumpy terrain. I didn't see anything about the seat malfunctioning. The only thing mentioned about a faulty seat is "The seat came loose, the lawsuit says, leaving Armbruster standing on the wagon". I imagine a seat on springs to a young person who only drives horses on the weekends for spending money could be construed as coming loose. A terrible accident no less. But it looks like its coming down to her word verses Jenny's Dexter Market. The place has already pretty much closed down due to this incident possibly driving these folks out of business. It would be sad to see that this was just a terrible accident that not only left a young person paralyzed but also ruined at least one persons livelihood. But A2.com as well as it's commenters do enjoy playing judge, jury, and executioner.
Billy Bob Schwartz
Thu, Jan 5, 2012 : 8:45 p.m.
What about springs? Most wagons I was ever on had a spring-like setup, not just a solid seat, and that setup would be tightly bolted to the wagon.
Shelly Sprague
Thu, Jan 5, 2012 : 6:57 p.m.
I feel so sorry for this awful tragedy. This place is a joke. We took my daughter there when she was about 3 got her picture taken (they would send at a later date). They had pony rides well, my daughter got bucked off one of those ponys (due to the mechanicals on the horse spooky it, not safe). The owner never said sorry offered anything to us. 3 weeks later we get an envelope in the mail with our dollar back stating that the picture never turned out. Needless to say that placve is not safe and we have not been back since.
javajolt1
Thu, Jan 5, 2012 : 6:36 p.m.
I don't think the point of @Kade was to "blame the victim". No doubt this is a terrible tragedy. It's just that those victims that retrospectively claim they knew they were put in a clearly unsafe position have to assume a level of responsibility for their own safety by refusing to work under those conditions. Many victims choose to take that calculated risk before they were "victimized". That means they must assume some of the responsibility for their predicament through that choice. Maybe its not fair....but thats the black and white of it. This is apparently a failure of the business owner, the victim and the regulatory authority (if these safety concers were so obvious all along). This is a tragedy for sure, but if the conditions were recognized to be so egregiously poor before the accident occured, why did she consent to drive the horses anyway?
javajolt1
Thu, Jan 5, 2012 : 9:59 p.m.
Don't know...its possible
justcurious
Thu, Jan 5, 2012 : 9:14 p.m.
You could say "why did all of those miners work in a mine knowing they would get black lung disease?" as well. She had brought the matter up and perhaps she was promised a fix "soon". A fix that never came.
Barb
Thu, Jan 5, 2012 : 6:46 p.m.
I think this is the sort of train of thought that litigation will bear out. Lawyers for both sides should ask those sorts of questions. Was there a duty on one side (or both) to have seen this as a possible outcome?
Roadman
Thu, Jan 5, 2012 : 5:43 p.m.
I wish Ms. Armbruster a full recovery. Rehabilitation can be a long and arduous process but she is young and can hopefully see progress toward recovery.
Roadman
Fri, Jan 6, 2012 : 10:07 p.m.
@justcurious: St. Joseph Hospital and U-M have some of the most comprehensive spinal cord injury rehabilitation programs in the nation. Even partial recovery can bring significant recoupment of activities off daily living. Former Detroit Lion Mike Utley enjoyed substantial improvement from a spinal cord injury resulting in paralysis via a rehabilitation regimen.
justcurious
Thu, Jan 5, 2012 : 9:12 p.m.
How do you recover from paralysis from the waist down? You don't recover..you cope and hope.
BhavanaJagat
Thu, Jan 5, 2012 : 5:39 p.m.
Pain and Compassion : It is easy to recognize the pain of this young victim and respond with a sense of compassion to provide her with necessary help to live her life. At the same time, I recognize the importance of small business owners of our community. They provide us with opportunities of employment and some remuneration for the work performed. Our community will not thrive unless we support our small business owners who may not afford to pay for insurance. We always speak about small business owners and talk about tax concessions to people operating small business establishments. We have not applied our minds to issues like compensation if a owner has no ability to compensate his/her workers. If the employer and employee pay State taxes, we may have to designate those funds for contingencies like this. Life is like this story of balancing the reins that we hold in our hands. It is not about the horses that we are trying to control. It is about checks and balances that we use to run our human society for the benefit of all people.
Goofus
Fri, Jan 6, 2012 : 2:12 a.m.
This whole philosophy is a fine way of accomplishing nothing.
justcurious
Thu, Jan 5, 2012 : 9:39 p.m.
Even a small business owner needs to provide a safe environment for his employees and for the public which pays him to use his facilities. The weight of responsibility is on him, otherwise he should not be in business.
zip the cat
Thu, Jan 5, 2012 : 2:24 p.m.
According to the state of mi web site if you enter a business name and it come up blank there is a excellent chance he does NOT have workers comp ins. I entered a few companies names I know have it and it came back that they do have comp ins. And according to the state of mi,if you have less than 3 people employed and they are part time you do not have to carry comp ins You'll probably delete the above as you do 99% of what I write.
justcurious
Thu, Jan 5, 2012 : 3:20 p.m.
Here it is: <a href="http://www.dleg.state.mi.us/bwuc/wkrcomp/asp/dt_bwdc.asp?ID=159814" rel='nofollow'>http://www.dleg.state.mi.us/bwuc/wkrcomp/asp/dt_bwdc.asp?ID=159814</a> But obviously Ms. Armbruster's attorney feels she is able to proceed with this case.
Diane
Thu, Jan 5, 2012 : 2:16 p.m.
I feel bad for her also, but she chose to do this. This country is SUE happy.
HaeJee
Thu, Jan 5, 2012 : 9:30 p.m.
The employer has a responsibility to be properly insured and assure that the employees have a safe working environment. Suing others forces the defendant to take responsibility for negligence. She wanted the job, but she didn't ask to be paralyzed due to faulty equipment. I highly doubt that the business owners cared about doing periodic inspections. I guess if we all used you logic, then employees would have no rights. These are the kind of people who shouldn't own a business.
Scott
Thu, Jan 5, 2012 : 4:37 p.m.
If I own a business- I don't let a 23 year old drive it with faulty equipment. heck i don't let anyone drive it with faulty equipment- let alone a poor 23 year old kid. Yes the country is sue happy but I hardly think this case is silly.
aareader
Thu, Jan 5, 2012 : 3:58 p.m.
I find it hard to believe if she asked for this job she would take it if she knew the equipment was unsafe and/or faulty.
justcurious
Thu, Jan 5, 2012 : 3:21 p.m.
In previos articles it was stated that she had driven teams before, I believe in Ohio, and in this suit she alleges that she had requested that changes be made to the equipment.
JustMyOpinion
Thu, Jan 5, 2012 : 3:09 p.m.
I think what she means is that she asked for the job of driving a team, i.e. she chose to seek this type of employment. Horse related litigation is difficult as the law states it has an inherent risk by nature. I hope she has really good lawyers. That said, I agree that a law suit is indeed exactly the correct way to address this issue. This is not a frivolous suit and what the judicial system is designed for. This is no McDonald's hot coffee spill. The girl suffered life long impalement and is taking the correct course of action for redress.
Barb
Thu, Jan 5, 2012 : 2:43 p.m.
Really. I think this is exactly the type of situation that litigation is designed for. Someone was possibly wronged and now their life is changed forever and they'll need money to cope as a result. How was this a choice?
smokeblwr
Thu, Jan 5, 2012 : 2:07 p.m.
I can't speak to whether the equipment on the hayride was safe, all I can speak to is a few years ago I took my three year old on a hayride their and the operator drove it so recklessly over bumpy terrain my son was almost tossed out.
professor
Thu, Jan 5, 2012 : 3:46 p.m.
and I had the exact same experience.
Lake Trout
Thu, Jan 5, 2012 : 1:59 p.m.
I sympathize with Ms Armbruster and wish that this accident had not occured, and completely agree that the Jenny's Farm Market has been terribly mismanaged and their grounds and equipment have not been kept even to minimum safety standards for many years. Unfortunately, I find the claim that Ms Armbruster "had to hold a rein in each hand" a very weak point for her case. For anyone who has ever driven a team of horses, you MUST hold a rein in each hand, and yes, those reins should be of even and of a sufficient length to control the horses. There is no other way to drive a team. They can not be "neck reined" like a horse being rode western style from their back. I sincerely hope that this claim which is has been stated several times in your articles does not hinder Ms Armbrusters case and that she receives the monitary restitution she is requesting.
lgrey
Fri, Jan 6, 2012 : 2:51 a.m.
This comment sums up my feelings exactly. While the accident was terrible and the market hasn't been up to safety standards, in driving horses, there is no other way to do it. You MUST use both hands to drive a team or even a single horse. You are direct reining (meaning use right rein to go right, left rein to go left), and there is no way to do this with one hand. It would be truly irresponsible and unsafe to drive any horse, let alone a team, using one hand. They simply will not understand what you are asking and could, on its' own, cause a very dangerous situation. I truly hope that she and her lawyers understand this, because it could very well hurt her case. I hope that she does get restitution as stated above. It's certainly terrible that the accident occurred and she does deserve compensation.
Ron Granger
Thu, Jan 5, 2012 : 1:59 p.m.
That's it, blame the victim. People often view safety issues as minor or just an unnecessary cost overhead, with the attitude of "what's the worst thing that could happen". They don't imagine just how bad it could go. Or maybe they don't realize the safety issue they noticed isn't the one that will kill or maim them.
Barb
Thu, Jan 5, 2012 : 6:43 p.m.
Interesting POV, Jimbo... are you suggesting that she could have been criminally negligent if people on the ride were hurt too?
jmho
Thu, Jan 5, 2012 : 5:51 p.m.
The point is, in today's society too many see themselves as 'victims'. I do hope that she gets a fair settlement whether through workman's comp or the lawsuit; her medical expenses will be enormous, not to mention spending the rest of her life paralyzed. That being said, she had driven horses before, asked for this job, knew it was unsafe, and continued to do it. If others on the ride had been injured and I was the driver knowing what I knew, I would feel responsible for THEM as well; I had put them in danger too. Sometimes, we have to take responsibility for ourselves.
aareader
Thu, Jan 5, 2012 : 3:50 p.m.
Safety regulations are not created because there was nothing better to do that day. They are created for a reason and protection of all involved.
Kade
Thu, Jan 5, 2012 : 1:54 p.m.
I support Armbruster's attempt to seek restitution from this devasting accident; however, if she felt it was unsafe, to either herself or the customers at the time, she should have refused to drive the wagon at all.
Scott
Thu, Jan 5, 2012 : 4:32 p.m.
True but she's just 23. 23 year olds aren't the most "safety minded people.
Barb
Thu, Jan 5, 2012 : 2:41 p.m.
OMG, seriously? And risk losing her job? And if Hoey's demeanor is anything like it's been portrayed in the media, I doubt he would have handled that well. And I doubt she (or anyone) would have predicted this could happen to her... Sad for all involved.
Rebecca
Thu, Jan 5, 2012 : 2:12 p.m.
She's young, maybe she was afraid to say anything at the time, especially if Mr. Hoey is as (fill in the blank) as everyone is portraying him. She has a lot of people speaking for her now though and I hope she gets the montary help she'll obviously need for the rest of her life.
Cash
Thu, Jan 5, 2012 : 1:47 p.m.
Not into the "piling on" today. I hope that the civil case is fair and justice prevails. There are no happy endings for anyone in this case.
applehazar
Thu, Jan 5, 2012 : 1:10 p.m.
Yelp lists Jenny's Farm Stand as closed. I find that interesting - as I recall the stand stayed open almost year round at least for canned goods. Is it closed permanently?
Goofus
Fri, Jan 6, 2012 : 2:10 a.m.
I think the "closed" thing is just part of the strategy Jenny's has been using of changing and tweaking their name ever since the accident. It has been, variously, Jenny's Dexter Market, Jenny's Farm Market, and even, briefly, Jenny's Fall Market....I think Hoey thinks people it is a different company...lol.
justcurious
Thu, Jan 5, 2012 : 3:25 p.m.
Walmart would be welcome!
jns131
Thu, Jan 5, 2012 : 3:13 p.m.
Wal Mart at that corner? You are jesting? That will put Dexter denizens into a tizzy. Wow. What a nightmare.
justcurious
Thu, Jan 5, 2012 : 3:07 p.m.
Just after the first controversy Yelp listed it as closed, although people were still making comments.
Tesla
Thu, Jan 5, 2012 : 3:07 p.m.
I hear Walmart has bought the land and is planning a store at that corner.
Elaine F. Owsley
Thu, Jan 5, 2012 : 1:35 p.m.
We can only hope.
Goofus
Thu, Jan 5, 2012 : 1:05 p.m.
I find it revealing that Burton Hoey's longtime Dexter family home is for sale...and at a very very high price. I hope Ms. Armbruster gets most of that.
justcurious
Thu, Jan 5, 2012 : 3:04 p.m.
As Ms. Owsley said, it has been on the market for quite a while - starting at about 3/4 million dollars. However, that money may have to be shared with siblings.
Elaine F. Owsley
Thu, Jan 5, 2012 : 2:36 p.m.
It was for sale before the accident, but I second your hope.
townieA2
Thu, Jan 5, 2012 : 12:43 p.m.
Litigation aside, I pray for Ms. Armbruster as she will deal with the consequences of this terrible accident for the rest of her life.
Pamm in Dexter
Thu, Jan 5, 2012 : 12:15 p.m.
This lawsuit tells me that it's quite probable that Burton did NOT have worker's comp insurance as he said. Work Comp would make any lawsuit unnecessary. She would have to return any monies collected in a lawsuit if that was the case.
justcurious
Thu, Jan 5, 2012 : 3:23 p.m.
I doubt that many of us could live out our lives making 80% of the after taxes wage that we made on a weekends only part time job.
justcurious
Thu, Jan 5, 2012 : 3:18 p.m.
<a href="http://www.dleg.state.mi.us/bwuc/wkrcomp/asp/dt_bwdc.asp?ID=159814" rel='nofollow'>http://www.dleg.state.mi.us/bwuc/wkrcomp/asp/dt_bwdc.asp?ID=159814</a>
jns131
Thu, Jan 5, 2012 : 3:11 p.m.
I thought Workmans Comp was a state thing. Paid into by the person who pays your salary. If he files for bankruptcy this woman won't get much once all the taxes and bally hoo is done and over with. Sad for all involved.