A Look Back at the Case of ‘Affluenza’ Teen Ethan Couch It was a case that enraged the nation: A teenager named Ethan Couch combined alcohol, arrogance, reckless behavior, and manslaughter in what became known as the “affluenza” case. On June 15, 2013, the 16-year-old and a group of friends stole beer from a store and had a party at his parents’ house before going for a drive. As Couch was careening down the road at 70 mph in a 40-mph zone, he barreled into the town of Burleson, Texas. Speeding along the rural two-lane street, Couch plowed through an SUV that had stopped with car trouble on the side of the road, then slammed into another car that was stopped near the SUV. In the process, he killed four people and seriously injured two others. When Privilege Kills
Prosecutors had sought 20 years in prison, but Couch received no prison time. Judge Jean Hudson Boyd gave Couch 10 years of probation, along with an order to undergo long-term therapy. The decision by the juvenile court judge outraged the victims’families, drunk driving activists, and most of the country. Over the past decade, Couch has cycled through bouts of disappearing and continuing alcohol abuse. In 2016, he fled with his mother to Mexico to avoid being arrested for a parole violation but was arrested soon after. The judge in that case sentenced Couch to two years in prison. After his release in 2018, he was again arrested in 2020 for allegedly violating his parole, but the charges were later dismissed. His probation is due to end in 2024.
Upon his arrest shortly after the terrible crash, Couch’s blood alcohol level was reported as 0.24 — three times the legal limit for drunk driving in Texas.
Two years later, Couch stood trial for the devastation he had caused. He pleaded guilty to four counts of manslaughter, but his attorneys put forth what came to be known as the “affluenza” defense. A psychologist testified for the defense that Couch was a product of wealthy, privileged parents who never set limits for him, so he didn’t fully understand what it meant to have consequences for his actions.
What Evidence Should You Collect After a Slip-and-Fall Accident?
The Accident Report After slip-and-fall incidents, victims
Witness Statements If you fell in a busy store, there’s a good chance someone saw you take a tumble. These people can make excellent witnesses, and their statements can help corroborate your claim. Surveillance Footage Many commercial properties, including grocery stores, hotels, gas stations, and banks, have security cameras for surveillance. Ask the manager or property owner for a copy of the footage. Do this soon after the accident because many surveillance systems overwrite old footage after a certain period — possibly as short as 24 hours after the accident. Medical Records Slip-and-fall injuries can be much more serious than you first thought. This is why it’s wise to see a doctor after your accident. Keep copies of your treatment records and give them to your personal injury attorney.
should never leave the property without making an accident report. Without this report, you have no evidence of the fall, and the manager will have no record of it. Consequently, the property owner’s insurance company could deny your claim. A Written Account of the Accident If your accident is serious, someone may call the police to the scene. They will talk to you and make a report of the accident. If the police don’t arrive, you can write your account of the incident. In this report, include:
You probably don’t expect to get injured in a slip-and-fall accident when you go to the grocery store, bank, or post office in Florida. What you do expect is for the property owner to put up warning signs steering you away from dangerous conditions. But, according to Florida statutes, if they fail to do that, you may have a slip-and-fall injury case against them. If you want to maximize your compensation, it’s critical to document all evidence as well as you can. Here, we’ll explain what evidence you should gather after your accident. Photos of the Accident Scene You may not think of taking pictures of the scene after you’ve fallen, especially if you’re hurt. However, take photos if you can to help strengthen your case against the property owner.
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The date and time of the accident
The location where you fell People who saw you fall
What you were doing right before the accident What caused you to fall, such as spilled food, wet floors, or a lack of warning signs near construction work
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