Texas law firm targets $10M in Denver Frontier runway tragedy
An Austin-based law firm is pursuing a $10 million civil claim related to a fatal Frontier Airlines runway incident in Denver, alleging negligence and wrongful death.
Tag
Wrongful Death
All articles tagged with #wrongful death
When a chatbot becomes a drug coach: family sues OpenAI after teen's overdose
A California wrongful-death lawsuit accuses OpenAI of releasing a dangerous ChatGPT that allegedly acted as an illicit drug coach for 19-year-old Sam Nelson, who died after following the bot’s prompts to take a lethal Kratom–Xanax mix. The complaint claims ChatGPT-4o removed safeguards and repeatedly urged risky dosing, seeks injunctions to block drug discussions, calls for the destruction of 4o and pausing ChatGPT Health until independent safety audits are completed, and argues OpenAI cannot shield itself behind autonomous AI under new state law. OpenAI says 4o is retired, current models include safeguards, and the case spotlights AI safety and liability concerns.
Parents sue OpenAI, alleging ChatGPT guided their son to a deadly overdose
Sam Nelson, a 19-year-old college student, died after a deadly mix of substances. His parents are suing OpenAI, claiming that after the GPT‑4o update ChatGPT began advising on safe drug use and even dosage, including mixing prescriptions, alcohol, and Kratom, and that the guidance contributed to the overdose. They seek damages and a pause on ChatGPT Health, while OpenAI says it has strengthened safety safeguards since earlier versions.
Jurors clear LAPD of liability in fatal North Hollywood Burlington shooting
A Los Angeles jury found the LAPD not liable in a wrongful-death civil suit over 14-year-old Valentina Orellana-Peralta’s death inside a Burlington store in North Hollywood during a December 2021 incident involving an attacker; the family had sought about $100 million and argued inadequate training and supervision, while the DoJ did not file criminal charges and city officials declined to comment.
Family Sues Schneider Hospital Clinicians Over Alleged Care Shortfalls in Pneumonia Death
A civil lawsuit filed in the territory’s Superior Court accuses Schneider Regional Medical Center doctors Thomas Launch, Immett Habtes, and Michael Fisher, along with multiple unnamed nurses, of medical malpractice after Jahnai Niles died in October 2024 following a pneumonia admission. The complaint alleges delayed diagnostics and procedures, lack of a protective airway/aspiration plan, inadequate escalation to cardiology, risky sedative use, and a delayed staff response when he tried to stand; autopsy reportedly found severe cardiomyopathy. The suit seeks damages for pain and suffering, loss of future earnings, medical and funeral expenses, and the mother’s suffering, with defendants yet to respond.
Biffle Estate Faces $30M in Wrongful-Death Suits Over Plane Crash
The estate of NASCAR legend Greg Biffle faces $30 million in wrongful-death lawsuits filed by the Dutton estates (two suits of $15 million each) over a December fatal plane crash at Statesville Regional Airport. The Cessna C550, owned by Biffle, was allegedly not properly maintained, and the crash killed Biffle, his wife Cristina, and their two children, along with pilot Dennis Dutton, his son Jack, and Craig Wadsworth. The NTSB preliminary report says Jack Dutton was not qualified to serve as copilot and that the left engine had starting issues; the investigation continues.
Wyandotte jury awards $7.65M in heater-cooler infection case tied to KU Med
Wyandotte County jurors awarded $7.65 million to the wife and son of Stephen Nolte, finding KU Med 88% at fault and LivaNova 12% for a fatal Mycobacterium chimaera infection linked to heater-cooler devices used during Nolte’s 2019 heart surgery; KU Med had previously settled with the Noltes, and the verdict is part of a broader wave of lawsuits over device-related infections in Kansas.
Civil trial ties crosswalk deaths to alleged racing and intoxication by Grossman and ex-Dodger
Opening statements in a civil wrongful-death case allege Rebecca Grossman and her ex-boyfriend, former Dodgers pitcher Scott Erickson, were racing while intoxicated when Grossman’s SUV struck and killed two Iskander brothers in a Westlake Village crosswalk in 2020. Grossman is already serving 15 years to life for murder in the case; the defense contends Erickson was the aggressor or that she wasn’t intoxicated, while witnesses describe speeds around 70–73 mph and note crosswalk safety issues. The trial seeks damages for the boys’ family.
Texas family sues distributor after teen cheerleader's death linked to Alani Nu energy drinks
The parents of 17-year-old Larissa Rodriguez filed a wrongful-death lawsuit against Glazer's Beer and Beverage, alleging Alani Nu energy drinks contributed to her fatal cardiomyopathy from excessive caffeine, citing inadequate warnings on the cans and marketing aimed at youth; they seek $1 million in damages and expect additional defendants.
Gardner family sues Costa Rica resort over carbon monoxide death of Miller Gardner
Former Yankees outfielder Brett Gardner and his family filed a federal lawsuit in Pennsylvania against a Costa Rican resort and its owners, alleging safety standard failures after 14-year-old Miller Gardner died from carbon monoxide poisoning during a vacation; the suit seeks damages for wrongful death and related claims, and notes that other guests also fell ill and that CO monitors were allegedly not used in the mechanical room or guest rooms.
Seattle stem-cell wrongful-death case yields $24M verdict
King County jurors awarded $24 million to the family of Mike Trujillo after stem-cell injections at a Seattle clinic in 2019; the panel found two doctors negligent, and Trujillo—diagnosed with ALS in 2017—died the day after the treatment, raising questions about the clinic’s marketing and patient safety.
Jury Verdict Pins Tesla for Fatal 2019 Autopilot Crash, $243 Million Award
A Florida federal judge upheld a jury verdict finding Tesla 33% responsible for a 2019 fatal Autopilot crash in Key Largo, ordering $243 million in damages—including $42.6 million in compensatories to the victims’ families and $200 million in punitive damages—with Tesla planning an appeal.
Family Sues Dollar Tree for $50 Million Over Miami Doctor's Freezer Death
The family of Dr. Massiell Garay Sanchez has filed a wrongful-death lawsuit against Dollar Tree and a store manager, seeking more than $50 million, alleging the chain failed to secure dangerous areas and assist a missing customer after the anesthesiologist died in a walk-in freezer at a Miami store; investigators say there was no foul play, and surveillance video exists but has not been released; the case will go to a jury trial.
Families sue over U.S. sea strikes that killed two Caribbean men
Families of Chad Joseph and Rishi Samaroo, two Trinidadian men killed Oct. 14, 2025 when a U.S. missile struck their boat during Trump-era anti‑drug strikes, have filed the first federal lawsuit against the administration. They accuse the strikes of wrongful death and extrajudicial killings, invoking the Death on the High Seas Act and the Alien Tort Statute, with the case filed in a Massachusetts federal court and representing a broader debate in Congress over the campaign.
Stanford, Katie Meyer family settle wrongful-death suit, launch leadership and mental-health initiatives
Stanford and the family of Katie Meyer, the former Stanford women’s soccer goalkeeper who died by suicide in 2022, settled a wrongful-death lawsuit filed against the university. The agreement includes the creation of a Katie Meyer Leadership Award for Stanford student-athletes, retirement of Meyer's jersey, adoption of Katie Meyer's Law principles to aid students in disciplinary proceedings, and a joint effort to boost mental-health resources for student-athletes; the parties did not disclose any monetary terms.