Lawsuit settled in Overland park boy’s death from falling airport sign

A settlement over the death of a boy who was hit by a falling sign inside Birmingham’s airport was approved Wednesday, and the family said they had forgiven the contractors involved.

Luke Bresette, 10, of Overland Park, was crushed by a flight information sign that fell inside a renovated section of Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport in March 2013. His family, returning home from a trip to Destin, Florida, was walking by when the free-standing flight information board toppled over.

Luke’s mother, Heather Bresette, was seriously injured. Two of his younger brothers also were hurt. The family filed a wrongful death lawsuit against contractors that were involved in designing, making and installing the sign.

Luke’s parents and all four siblings each will receive an undisclosed amount of money from the companies under the agreement, approved by Jefferson County Circuit Judge Dan King.

Ryan Bresette, the boy’s father, thanked the companies for admitting that mistakes were made and taking steps to ensure they don’t happen again.

“Our family, in return, extends forgiveness to them,” he said outside court.

Bresette said it’s time for healing and reconciliation.

“We miss you like and we love you so very, very much,” Bresette, fighting back tears, said of his son.

This story was originally published September 3, 2014 at 8:18 AM with the headline "Lawsuit settled in Overland park boy’s death from falling airport sign."