VICTIM’S FAMILY SUES BAY AREA RAPID TRANSIT FOR MILLIONS IN WRONGFUL DEATH LAWSUIT
Families of victims who died in accidents or other incidents may sue the wrongdoer for negligence or recklessness. The plaintiffs in these cases, usually very close family members, are able to sue on a lower standard than is required in criminal cases. The suit is not for murder, or manslaughter, but for the damages that resulted after the victim was killed. For example, if the victim was killed in a car accident and was the sole supporter of his family, and the wrongdoer was negligent or reckless, then the family may be able to recover for the income that he would have made in his lifetime, or for the value of the property that was destroyed in the accident. However, this is dependent on the judge or the jury assigned to the case.
On January 1, 2009, Oscar Grant was shot and killed at an Oakland BART station by BART officer Johannes Mehserles. BART police responded to a report of a fight on the train and detained Grant and several others. There are cell phone videos of what occurred on the platform, and it is alleged that Mehserles shot Grant even though Grant was restrained and lying on his stomach. Mehserles was arrested for murder and is currently out on bail. Mehserles pled not guilty to the murder and claims that he meant to fire his Taser gun instead of his actual gun. Grant’s family initially sued BART for $25 million in January, but recently revised the lawsuit to $50 million after learning new details about the incident.
If you have been injured by an incident, you should speak to an experienced attorney to find out your rights and options. Dealing with large corporations or government entities may be very difficult to do, so having a knowledgeable attorney on your side can help speed the process along and bring more effective results. The attorneys at Greenberg & Rudman LLP will help you fight your case, and you don’t pay any costs unless we win the case for you. Call 1-800-252-9776 (1-800-ALAWPRO) for a free consultation with one of our attorneys and find out your rights. Visit our website, www.alawpro.com to read more about our firm and about wrongful death lawsuits.
