Injured by a Drunk Driver

Drunk Driving and Death: Accident Takes the Life of 18-Year-Old

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The life of an 18-year-old California teen ended because a driver accused of being intoxicated lost control of her vehicle. Braun Levi was walking along a Manhattan Beach street in the early morning of May 4 when he was struck and killed. The driver’s license was suspended after a prior drunk driving arrest, but apparently that didn’t stop her from drinking or driving that evening. Levi’s parents have filed a $200 million wrongful death lawsuit against her.

Satterley & Kelley, PLLC attorneys have decades of experience successfully handling complex motor vehicle accident claims, and we obtain compensation for our clients. Learn more by calling us at 855-385-9532.

Braun Levi’s Potential Will Never Be Realized

Braun was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead shortly after his arrival. The Los Angeles Times reports the driver, Jenia Resha Belt, after the accident tested at nearly twice the legal blood alcohol level limit.

He was killed a month before his high school graduation. Braun had been accepted to the University of Virginia, which offered him a tennis scholarship. He was a nationally ranked tennis player, played volleyball and volunteered at a camp for kids with disabilities.

Braun’s fate is not unique. Safe Home reports that 12,429 Americans were killed by drunk drivers in 2023, or about 34 a day (177 of these deaths were in Kentucky, a rate of more than three a week). From 2014 to 2023, US drunk driving fatalities increased 25%.

There were 3,516 alcohol related vehicle accidents in the state in 2023, according to the State Police, causing a total of 1,741 injuries.

The Braun Family Files a Wrongful Death Lawsuit Against the Driver

Belt was arrested at the scene but hasn’t been charged with a crime. She was released from custody a month after the accident.

Braun’s parents want to hold her accountable in civil court and use the lawsuit’s proceeds to help fund the Live Like Braun Foundation, which will spend it on scholarships and public tennis centers. They also plan to raise awareness about the dangers of impaired driving.

Braun’s mother, Jennifer Levi, said in a statement. “This is not a decision rooted in anger, vengeance, or financial gain. It is a decision grounded in accountability, prevention, reform, and the unwavering love we have for Braun.”

The lawsuit claims the following:

  • Belt drank “excessive quantities of alcohol” at a Hermosa Beach bar before driving
  • Four passengers were inside the car at the time of the accident and fled the area after the collision.
  • “Despite knowing and understanding the grave dangers associated with driving a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, Defendant Belt willfully chose to operate the subject vehicle while intoxicated at an unsafe and excessive rate of speed.”

The Times reports that:

  • Court records show Belt had been charged with driving under the influence after a 2023 accident
  • Records from the state’s Department of Motor Vehicles showed her license was suspended as a result

A month before his death, Braun and his teammate, Cooper Schwartz, won their fourth Mission League doubles championship. In January, the family home was destroyed in a fire that swept through the area, forcing them to relocate.

The Devastating Toll of Drunk Driving Crashes

When a drunk driver causes a wreck, the consequences can be catastrophic:

  • People struck by a DUI driver may suffer broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, spinal injuries, internal bleeding, or other life-threatening trauma
  • Some victims may never fully recover. Paralysis, chronic pain, or cognitive damage may never improve
  • Hospitalization, surgeries, and long-term rehabilitation can result in medical bills that stack up and overwhelm victims and families. Lost wages and reduced earning capacity may occur
  • The emotional toll of an accident and a long recovery can be the loss of normalcy, depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress syndrome, and fear of the future
  • A victim’s promising life may end prematurely, devastating families and communities

Those harmed by drunk drivers and the families of victims killed by them deserve full compensation and accountability from the person responsible.

Why Experienced Satterley & Kelley, PLLC Representation Matters

Given the potential damages, an insurance company may fight hard to minimize compensation. Though a drunk driving arrest or conviction can help a plaintiff’s case, an insurance company may challenge the severity of injuries or blame the victim to reduce a potential court award.

When we’re retained in a DUI-related accident case, we will do the following:

  • Thoroughly investigate the crash. We will obtain police reports, toxicology reports, license status, prior DUI arrest history, vehicle data, witness statements, and video surveillance recordings
  • Leverage that evidence to build a strong case for negligence, recklessness, and possible punitive damages
  • Put the full value of economic and non-economic damages (including the loss of future earnings, emotional suffering, loss of companionship) at issue during insurance carrier negotiations and litigation
  • Provide compassion, support, and guidance to families coping with grief and trauma while they pursue justice

There is too much at stake in these cases for you to try to negotiate a resolution with an insurance company. It’s not a good idea to learn-while-doing in this situation because you and your family may significantly suffer financially.

Speak To A Satterley & Kelley, PLLC Vehicle Accident Injury Lawyer Today

If you’re the victim of an accident caused by a driver impaired by alcohol or drugs, or a family member was killed in such a crash, Satterley & Kelley PLLC lawyers can protect your interests and rights to compensation. Schedule a free initial consultation to discuss your case. Call our Louisville office at 855-385-9532 or complete our contact form if it’s more convenient.

How Can I Prevent Being Sickened by Benzene?

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Benzene is one of the most widely used and potentially dangerous chemicals in the US. Even though it can cause cancer and other severe health conditions, it’s an ingredient in many products. Over time, repeated or high-level exposure could lead to severe and life-altering conditions. Can you limit your exposure to reduce the risk of benzene impacting your health?

Satterley & Kelley, PLLC lawyers in Louisville represent people in Kentucky and around the nation with cancer and other diseases caused by chemical exposure. If you have a benzene-related condition, we should discuss your potential legal claims for compensation. Call us at 855-385-9532 to learn more.

What Is Benzene?

Benzene is a colorless or light yellow liquid. It quickly evaporates at room temperature and has a sweet, gasoline-like smell. It’s easily ignited and is produced naturally and artificially. You’ll find it in crude oil, gasoline, volcanic emissions, wildfires, and in many industrial processes.

Benzene is used to make:

  • Plastics and rubber
  • Resins and synthetic fibers
  • Dyes, detergents, and pharmaceuticals
  • Pesticides
  • Paints, solvents, and adhesives

Although it’s very useful, it’s also potentially deadly. Benzene can be toxic at extremely low exposure levels, and being around it can cause life-threatening illnesses.

How Can I Be Exposed to Benzene?

Exposure to benzene can happen by inhalation, through your skin, or by swallowing it. Exposure can occur at work if the chemical is used or produced there. You may also be exposed to benzene at home or at a gas station.

Workplaces have some of the highest risks of benzene exposure. Industries that use benzene include:

  • Oil refineries and petroleum processing
  • Chemical manufacturing
  • Rubber and plastics production
  • Printing and painting industries
  • Tire manufacturing
  • Gasoline distribution and storage

Mechanics, industrial workers, lab technicians, and anyone who works around solvents or degreasers may also be exposed. Exposure can happen gradually over years, making health consequences difficult to trace without ongoing medical evaluation. Someone can also become acutely ill if they’re suddenly exposed to a large dose of benzene.

You may also have benzene in your system because your exposure was caused by a nearby:

  • Oil refinery
  • Chemical plant
  • Hazardous waste site

These locations may release benzene into the air, water, and soil.

Benzene may be present in a common consumer product, possibly due to manufacturing contamination. These products can include the following:

  • Sunscreens and after-sun sprays
  • Dry shampoos and deodorant sprays
  • Hand sanitizers
  • Some cleaning products

A contaminated product may give you low-level exposure. Your health may be at risk if it’s regularly repeated over long periods. You could also face frequent, low-level exposure from:

  • Gasoline fumes
  • Vehicle exhaust
  • Cigarette smoke
  • Household glue, paint, and cleaning solvents

Occasional, light exposure is less dangerous, but constant, low-level indoor exposure in poorly ventilated areas can accumulate over time.

Why is Benzene Toxic?

Benzene interferes with your bone marrow’s ability to produce healthy blood cells. Over time, the chemical can also damage your DNA, weaken your immune system, and cause acute and chronic illnesses. Some conditions may take years to develop. Some of them include the following:

1. Leukemia

Benzene’s strongest link to health problems is to blood cancers, especially:

  • Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML)
  • Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL)
  • Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL)
  • Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS)

Workers exposed to benzene have a greater risk of AML than the general population.

2. Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL)

Some studies found that benzene increases the risk of developing NHL, a cancer affecting the lymphatic system.

3. Aplastic Anemia

Benzene can cause bone marrow failure, which leads to aplastic anemia. This is a life-threatening condition where a person cannot produce enough blood cells.

4. Immune System Damage

Chronic benzene exposure may cause the following:

  • Lower white blood cell counts
  • Long-term immune suppression
  • Increased vulnerability to infections

Without a healthy immune system, you may be more likely to suffer from mutated cells that don’t function properly.

5. Short-Term Effects

Sudden, high levels of exposure that could be caused by spills, fires, or industrial accidents may cause the following symptoms:

  • Headaches
  • Dizziness
  • Confusion
  • Rapid or irregular heartbeat
  • Unconsciousness

If exposure is heavy enough, it can be fatal.

Who Is Most at Risk?

Some people face significantly higher exposure levels, including:

  • Industrial workers exposed to benzene vapors on the job
  • Mechanics and technicians using degreasers or solvents
  • Firefighters inhaling benzene-containing smoke and fumes
  • Those working at gas stations
  • Smokers and those exposed to second-hand smoke
  • People living near refineries or chemical plants

The risk of injury increases with the duration, frequency, and intensity of exposure.

How Can I Reduce My Exposure or Avoid Benzene?

It may not be possible to prevent all benzene exposure, but you may be able to significantly reduce your risk of a related illness through the following measures:

1. On-the-Job Exposure

    You should:

    • Use the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) required protective equipment
    • Properly ventilate benzene-related work areas
    • Request from management benzene exposure monitoring if you suspect unsafe levels at the job site
    • Review your employer’s Safety Data Sheets (SDS) to see if benzene is present
    • Report inadequate safety practices to your supervisor, union representative, state workplace safety agency, or OSHA

    Your employer has a legal obligation to provide you with a reasonably safe working environment.

    2. Reduce Consumer Product Risks

    To avoid unexpected exposure:

    • Check recall notices for sunscreens, dry shampoos, and other products
    • Avoid aerosol sprays when possible
    • Choose products from reputable manufacturers with strong safety records

    Non-aerosol alternatives often reduce risk significantly.

    3. Limit Your Exposure to Gasoline Fumes

    Gasoline fumes and engine exhaust from gasoline-burning engines contain benzene. Ideas to control your exposure include the following:

    • Don’t spend a prolonged time near idling vehicles
    • Don’t be in an enclosed space with running engines
    • Stay upwind when pumping gas
    • Avoid inhaling fumes from gasoline containers

    Switching from gas-burning to electric outdoor tools like lawn mowers and weed trimmers would also help.

    4. Improve Indoor Ventilation

    Homes and workplaces should be well-ventilated. Some of the following products either contain benzene or might contain it:

    • Natural gas
    • Paints
    • Glues
    • Varnishes
    • Solvents
    • Cleaning products

    Open windows, use fans, and select low-VOC (volatile organic compound) products to reduce your possible benzene exposure.

    5. Reduce or Quit Smoking

    Tobacco smoke is one of the heaviest sources of benzene exposure. It affects smokers and people inhaling secondhand smoke.

    Since benzene is produced by both natural and man-made processes, it may be impossible to prevent all exposure. But cutting down on inhaling it is a good idea because it may be enough to keep you healthy.

    Call Our Benzene Exposure Lawyers Today for a Free Consultation

    If you or a loved one is diagnosed with cancer or another severe illness after benzene exposure, you may be entitled to compensation. Call us at 855-385-9532, locally 502-589-5600, or contact us online to arrange a free consultation with a Satterley & Kelley PLLC attorney.