Walt Disney Co. has made a strategic shift in a wrongful death lawsuit filed in Florida, agreeing to a court trial instead of pursuing arbitration. This decision comes after the company initially insisted on arbitration based on the plaintiff’s Disney+ subscription. The lawsuit stems from the death of Jeffrey Piccolo’s wife who allegedly suffered a fatal allergic reaction after eating at a restaurant in Disney Springs.
A woman suing Jackson, Mississippi, over her brother’s death has rejected a settlement after the city publicly disclosed the amount, violating a confidentiality agreement. The payment, approved unanimously by the City Council, was for $17,786. The family’s attorney stated they will continue suing due to the breach and the city’s perceived inference of victory. The lawsuit alleges officers brutally beat George Robinson, who later died from brain bleeding. A former detective was initially convicted of culpable negligence manslaughter but had his conviction overturned on appeal.
A woman who sued the city of Jackson, Mississippi, over the death of her brother has rejected a settlement offer after officials publicly disclosed the amount of the payment. The family’s attorney alleges that the city violated a confidentiality agreement and continues to pursue the lawsuit. The settlement, which was approved by the Jackson City Council, is not an admission of liability by the city or the three officers named in the lawsuit. Despite the family’s decision to reject the settlement, the Mississippi Court of Appeals recently overturned a conviction related to the case, citing insufficient evidence of gross negligence.
The family of Dexter Reed has filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against the city of Chicago and five officers involved in the fatal police shooting that left Reed dead. The lawsuit alleges that the officers violated Reed’s Fourth Amendment rights, used excessive force, and denied him medical care. The family is seeking damages for Reed’s wrongful death and other related injuries.
A federal appeals court has dismissed a wrongful death lawsuit against Boston and State Police officers involved in the fatal shooting of Juston Root in 2020. Root was shot 31 times by five officers after he allegedly brandished a BB gun during an incident at a hospital and subsequent car chase. The court ruled that the officers acted reasonably under the circumstances and did not violate Root’s constitutional rights. While some witnesses claimed Root was on the ground and holding his hand to his chest, other officers testified that he reached into his jacket and continued to move before they fired. One officer’s body camera was blocked for five seconds before the shooting, and other officers failed to activate their body cameras or disclose their meetings with lawyers. The dissenting judge raised concerns about inconsistencies in the officers’ accounts and the lack of clear evidence showing Root was threatening at the time of the shooting.
Families of three men who died while waiting for liver transplants allege that Dr. John Steve Bynon prevented their loved ones from receiving new livers, according to accusations first reported by the New York Times. The hospital has suspended its transplant program and launched an investigation into “inappropriate activity.” Now, the families are seeking a court order against Bynon to prevent him from destroying evidence as the investigation proceeds. They will discuss their case during a press conference on Wednesday at 3 p.m.
A jury has ordered Catholic Charities to pay at least $960,000 to the estate of a 4-year-old boy whose body was found buried in the backyard of his Cleveland home while his mother was enrolled in social services from the corporation. The jury found that Catholic Charities was negligent in hiring and supervising its employees, a negligence that partially caused Jordan Rodriguez’s death in 2017. The jury assigned the majority of the blame to the boy’s mother, Larissa Rodriguez, who pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter and is serving a 28-year prison sentence. Other agencies involved in the family’s life were also found to be partially responsible, including Cuyahoga County Department of Children and Family Services, MetroHealth, and Larissa Rodriguez’s boyfriend, Christopher. The case will resume on April 30 for a hearing to determine if Catholic Charities is liable to pay punitive damages.
On [Date], a tragic motorcycle accident occurred on S.H. 29, resulting in the death of a 50-year-old male. According to authorities, the accident involved a motorcycle and a delivery truck making an unsafe left turn. The motorcycle passenger suffered moderate injuries and was transported to a local medical facility for treatment. The investigation into the accident is ongoing, and additional details have not yet been released.
A Montana woman, Donna Ventura, died after eating poisonous morel mushrooms from China at Dave’s Sushi restaurant. The mushrooms, which were imported from China, caused gastrointestinal illness in at least 51 people, two of whom died. Ventura spent two weeks in intensive care before succumbing to the toxins that destroyed her liver and kidneys. Before her death, she communicated with her loved ones through messages written with a red magic marker, expressing her pain and love. The CDC warns that morel mushrooms, while generally edible, need to be fully cooked to prevent potential toxic effects. Ventura’s husband has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the restaurant.
