The family of Sandra Bland, a woman who was found dead in a Waller County, Texas jail cell back in July of 2015, announced last month that they had reached a settlement in the wrongful death lawsuit filed last year.
Bland, who was 28 years old at the time of her death, was apprehended last year during a traffic stop for allegedly failing to signal a lane change. Three days later, she was found unresponsive and declared dead in her cell, which officials initially ruled as suicide. However, members of her family, who filed the suit a month later, strongly disputed this.
According to the settlement, Waller County is required to pay $1.8 million in restitution to the family, with the state Department of Public Safety contributing another $100,000. The settlement also outlined changes to specific procedures related to Waller County’s justice system, including those at the county jail, and additional de-escalation training for Texas state troopers.
Despite the family announcing the settlement, representatives for Waller County contested that the settlement was not yet final, as the state has not settled additional litigation regarding Bland’s death.
Wrongful Death in Nevada
When an accident results in the untimely death of an individual, especially if it is due to negligent or reckless behavior, it is known as wrongful death.
In the state of Nevada, this type of legal issue is classified as a civil law remedy, which essentially means that a wrongful death lawsuit can be brought against an individual or entity responsible for a loved one’s death, even if they are already dealing with criminal charges.
Because this type of incident deals with a deceased loved one, only certain individuals are eligible to file a wrongful death claim. Typically, this is reserved for families, such as a spouse, domestic partner or surviving children. However, in certain cases, a representative for the deceased’s estate, or the deceased’s parents (if there are no surviving children or spouse) may be able to file a wrongful death claim.
According to existing laws in Nevada, a wrongful death claim can be filed to attempt to recover compensation or other damages specific to the deceased and their loved ones. These can include:
- Loss of care
- Loss of companionship
- Burial expenses
- Property damage
- Medical expenses due to the deceased’s illness or injury
- Loss of wages and/or benefits
- Loss of benefits to heirs
- Finding a Trusted Wrongful Death Attorney
If you have suffered the loss of a loved one due to the negligent actions of another individual or entity, it is in your best interest to enlist the counsel of a qualified attorney, as you may be eligible to file a wrongful death claim.
For those residing in and around Las Vegas, the team at Bertoldo Carter Smith & Cullen serve as a leading legal resource for personal injury victims and their families, including those dealing with the sudden loss of a loved one. We know that dealing with the loss of family is never easy, especially in cases where the victim is a primary provider for the family. That’s why it is so important to find legal representation you can trust.
Our firm has a wealth of experience when it comes to successfully handling wrongful death matters, and we are committed to working with you to give your case the individual attention it both needs and deserves.
We invite you to schedule an initial consultation with our personal injury attorneys, to help assess your case and determine what, if any, strategy is best suited for your situation. To get started, call the law office of Bertoldo Carter Smith & Cullen Law Firm at (702) 505-8115.