P.I. Pulse: A Hefty Award and a Lawsuit Filed

With the “P.I. Pulse” component of this blog, we try to keep you informed about goings-on in the world of personal injury law – specifically developments concerning the conclusions of issues: how they ended, why they ended in the way that they did, etc. Being aware of the different routes that a personal injury case can take can make you more aware of your options and prospects should you ever be in an instance similar to one described herein (or in any of our other blogs).

In this blog, we’re going to talk about a jury award benefiting the family of a girl that was killed in a scuffle with caregivers and we’re also going to delve into a lawsuit that has been filed in relation to the death of a pet. Let’s begin with the award, though. A challenged and troubled thirty-three year old woman, with a history of schizophrenia, infliction of self-harm, and developmental disabilities, was placed, by her family, in a home at which a service provided her care. One day, after having her photograph taken, the woman entered a fit of rage, necessitating forceful intervention from her caretakers to quiet her down. Quiet her they did. The woman died as a result of the struggle she had with the caretakers.

Her family subsequently sued the caretaker service, implicating them in her death. According to the lawyer for the now-deceased woman’s parents, the caretakers subdued the woman by restraining her in a face down position that caused suffocation, meaning that they were negligent in their handling of the situation and so the company was thus liable for the (albeit unintended) death. The jury in the case agreed with the attorney representing the family of the deceased woman, awarding the plaintiffs $7.7 million, 54% more than the attorney had asked for in terms of compensation for the death.

Now, we will discuss a case of medical malpractice of sorts; a lawsuit has been filed against a veterinarian in Long Island, NY. A family on the island is suing their (now former) veterinarian for a grand total of $350,000, asserting that the veterinarian killed their dog by way of giving him a drug that has a deadly side effect, without having warned the family of the deadly danger. In addition to seeking financial compensation, the family of the now-deceased dog is asking the state of New York to pass new legislation that requires veterinarians to warn pet owners of the potentially deadly side effects of drugs.

Clearly, the personal injury sector of civil law covers a wide range of issues, as the entire idea of “personal injury” is no small issue. If you or a loved one are in a situation in which you feel you have suffered a loss due to the negligence of another, please reach out to us for a free consultation. You may reach us at 561-266-9191 or daronberg@build.simple.biz.

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