A wrongful death lawsuit gives families a chance to seek justice for the death of their loved ones due to violence or negligence, and three parents have filed such claims in court in early January 2022 for three separate cases involving their children.
The Death of Austin McEwen
Alice McEwen, the mother of Austin McEwen, who died as a tornado hit an Amazon warehouse in Illinois in December, filed her wrongful death lawsuit against the giant online retail company and the construction company of the warehouse. In the case, the parent stated that the building where her son worked was not properly maintained; thus, Austin and five of his warehouse co-workers were not protected from the tornado.
The mother also claimed that Amazon did not initiate evacuation protocols when they found out that a tornado was coming a few days before the disaster. Instead, her son continued working to fulfill Amazon's orders since it was the holiday season.
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Amazon spokesperson Kelly Nantel told CNN that they would staunchly defend this case as they continue to support the families impacted by the natural disaster. Nantel also pointed out that severe weather conditions were common in the area, but many businesses do not typically shut down in anticipation of a storm. The spokesperson, however, did not elaborate when asked if the workers like McEwen were directed to seek shelter.
The Death of Brayden Smith
Deborah and Scott Smith, the parents of former "Jeopardy" contestant Brayden Smith, have filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the St. Rose Dominican Hospital in Nevada, where their son had colon surgery in 2021. The parents alleged that the hospital failed to give Brayden blood thinners to prevent blood clots. Weeks following his operation, Brayden succumbed to bilateral pulmonary emboli as blood clots blocked the arteries in his lungs.
Deborah and Scott believed the rectal and colon surgeon did not provide their son standard care when he complained of ulcerative colitis. They said that the doctor should have known that Brayden needed anticoagulants in his medical history. Instead, he was discharged to recover at home, where he collapsed after the operation. Attempts to revive him at another hospital failed.
The parents also said that the hospital staff did not correctly help nor inform Brayden that he would have to be fitted with a piece of equipment, which will require regular supplies, so he could urinate and defecate properly. As a result, his ostomy bags leaked, and he frequently soiled himself.
Witnesses said that patients with new ostomy bags, especially someone as young as Brayden, who was only 24, required significant guidance, care, and attention. No one from the hospital allegedly took the time and patience to help him out.
The Smith family is seeking monetary damages and awaiting a jury trial for this lawsuit.
The Death of Stanley Davis III
Stanley Davis III, 13, crashed his dirt bike and died on the scene after Boynton Beach police officers chased him for a traffic violation. His parents plan to file a wrongful death lawsuit for how they handled this incident.
The police indicated in their traffic report that a young man was observed operating his dirt bike recklessly at Boynton Beach Boulevard in Florida. Reports cited that the bike was a Christmas gift from his parents, which could be legally used as an "off-highway vehicle" for the above 16 years old.
However, Benjamin Crump, who represents the Davis family, believes that a high-speed pursuit should have never gone down. He reasoned that the cops should have known its policy unless they were pursuing someone who committed a felony. If anything, the 13-year-old was likely only guilty of breaking a city violation, but the police chased after him like a criminal.
A spokesperson for the police said that they plan to settle with the parents before the wrongful death lawsuit reaches court.
