Losing a loved one is always painful. However, that pain can be magnified immensely when the death was due to an unnecessary act of violence.
You should never let the wrongful death of a loved one go unchallenged — no matter who caused the death or what the circumstances were.
For example, the family of a woman who was killed after she stabbed an undercover police officer in the hand during a prostitution sting is suing the Columbus Police Department for its part in her death for $3.5 million in damages. The officer allegedly shot the woman in the backseat of his cruiser. She later died at the hospital.
The officer, who also stands accused of forcing prostitutes into sex acts by threatening to arrest them, has been charged in connection with the woman’s death. He has also retired from the police force with a status of “not in good standing.”
While the victim, in this case, may have been a sex worker — she was also a loving mother who was supporting her children and the victim of an officer whose previous behavior should have raised red flags in the Vice Unit of the department long before her death.
Wrongful death lawsuits like this are a reminder that every human being’s life has value. If your loved one died as the result of official misconduct or violence, don’t let the death go unchallenged. Despite your grief, it is important to remember that you have a limited time to take action to file certain types of claims. An experienced attorney can discuss the specifics of your case with you.