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If you pay attention to the news in Texas at all, you are likely familiar with the Sandra Bland case. The Chicago woman was found dead in the Waller County Jail (just outside of Houston) after being arrested during a seemingly routine traffic stop over the summer. Texas officials are claiming Bland committed suicide after becoming despondent that her relatives had not bailed her out of jail quick enough. The bail was set at $515. Bland’s family quickly filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the Texas county jail, which officials are now requesting get dismissed. However, Bland’s family has said that blaming relatives for her death was “completely unnecessary and inaccurate.”
The Backstory
On July 10, Bland, a black woman, was pulled over by a white Texas state trooper for making an improper lane change. The traffic stop soon became combative, resulting in Bland being arrested on suspicion of assault and jailed in Waller County. The story took a drastic and tragic turn when Bland was found dead in her cell just three days later. County jail officials are claiming her relatives ignored her pleas to meet bail, leading Bland to become distraught and kill herself. Bland’s family is claiming quite the contrary – that they were working to get the money together to get her out of jail. It should also be noted that this took place over the weekend, making it more difficult for the family to access funds. The wrongful death lawsuit is against the county, the two jailers, the trooper, Brian Encinia, and the Texas Department of Public Safety. A hearing to determine whether or not the wrongful death claim should be dismissed is set for next month.
Understanding Wrongful Death Lawsuits
Although the case of Sandra Bland is complicated for numerous reasons, the fact that this specific situation involves a wrongful death claim – against county and state officials, no less – makes it even more of an uphill battle. As knowledgeable Texas wrongful death attorneys, we have worked a wide range of these types of cases and have represented people throughout the state. Regardless of who the defendant is and what the situation involves, we are on your side and are prepared to fight for your rights. Wrongful death claims are tricky for many reasons, especially because they require being able to prove that another party’s negligence or misconduct is what caused another’s death.
A wrongful death attorney from Rad Law Firm can help you and your loved ones obtain the justice you deserve by working tirelessly in pursuit of the opposition with letters, evidence, and pleadings filed on your behalf. As with the case of Sandra Bland, these types of situations are often complicated and therefore require the knowledge and expertise of a wrongful death attorney who understands the legal system.
When to File a Wrongful Death Claim
Depending on the situation, the circumstances surrounding the death of a loved one can fall under strict scrutiny (see: Sandra Bland case). When the totality of any given situation leads you to question the cause of death of a loved one, you could greatly benefit from the knowledge and expertise of a wrongful death attorney from Rad Law Firm. Among other things, our lawyers will sit down with you and go over your case in great detail, determining whether or not a wrongful death claim is the right move. While the unexpected death of a family member is unfortunately something many of us will have to deal with at one time or another, it is important that you understand the situation and what your rights are. The emotional strain of losing a loved one can make it difficult to know how to proceed, which is where we come in. To learn more about our wrongful death services in Texas and elsewhere, please contact Rad Law Firm today.
