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The Waller County Commissioners Court reached a unanimous decision late last month to approve a settlement in the federal wrongful death lawsuit brought by the family of Sandra Bland, a young woman found dead in the county jail last year from an alleged suicide.
The settlement, which was valued at $1.8 million, was brought by Bland’s mother, who argued the failure of Waller County officers and officials, including properly examining Bland’s medical or mental health history, led to her daughter’s untimely death.
The lawsuit also cited the failure of guards to properly check Bland’s cell, where she was believed to have committed suicide. In a sworn statement, a former guard with Waller County admitted to falsifying the jail log.
In the wake of finalizing the settlement, Waller County officials also confirmed that initiatives to improve accountability and medical assessment across the county, including Waller County Jail, were already underway.
Wrongful Death
A death may be considered wrongful death if it came as the result of negligent action (or inaction) on the part of an individual or entity, like a company.
This is commonly the case in situations like medical malpractice, or those involving defective products. However, if someone or a company is acting in a careless manner, it has the risk to cause serious accidents, and such accidents can turn fatal. Such situations can include:
- Premises liability
- Car wrecks (including those due to drunk or distracted driving)
- Motorcycle accidents
- Truck accidents
- Car accidents
- Work-related accidents
- Airplane accidents
- Maritime or offshore accidents
When these types of accidents occur, the victim’s family does have some legal options available. In fact, the family members of an individual who was the victim of wrongful death may file a legal claim, to help recover damages and other compensation for their loss, including:
- Lost benefits, including medical insurance or pension coverage
- Lost earnings
- Funeral & burial costs
- Medical expenses left by the victim
- Mental & emotional anguish
Like most states, the state of Texas allows certain individuals to file such a claim – a victim’s spouse, parent(s) or children are designated the legal right to file a wrongful death claim on behalf of a lost loved one.
Finding a Wrongful Death Attorney in Houston
If you or someone you know has lost a loved one due to the negligent actions of another, you may have grounds to file a personal injury claim. Only an attorney qualified in this area of law can evaluate your situation and determine what, if any, grounds you have for a lawsuit.
In the City of Houston and the surrounding communities in Texas, the attorneys at Charles J. Argento are proud to advocate on behalf of victims of personal injury, including those dealing with the sudden passing of a loved one. Our accomplished and compassionate legal team understands that dealing with wrongful death can be a particularly painful experience, and that’s why we are committed to working tirelessly to devise the best case possible, for you and your loved ones.
Do you believe you have grounds for a wrongful death claim? Our firm is proud to offer a free initial consultation, to help assess your case as quickly as possible. To get started, call the skilled Houston wrongful death attorneys at Charles J. Argento today at (713) 225-5050.