It's always terrible when one individual's negligence leads to the death of another — particularly when the victim is a child. There are, however, steps that loved ones can take to seek justice on behalf of the deceased, such as finding a personal injury lawyer to help them seek damages.
Ariel Russo was only 4 years old when 17-year-old Franklin Reyes, an unlicensed driver, crashed into her while trying to escape from law enforcement officials in New York City. The Associated Press reports that Russo and her 55-year-old grandmother, Katia Gutierrez, were both hit by the vehicle and Russo died from her injuries.
Now, the parents of the 4-year-old have announced that they are filing a $20 million wrongful death lawsuit against the city, claiming that an ambulance was delayed in reaching their daughter. Fire Commissioner Sal Cassano admitted that the ambulance arrived 90 seconds later than it should have because a dispatcher failed to notice that an emergency call had come in, and Russo's parents have alleged that the crucial minute-and-a-half could have been enough time to save their daughter's life.
"I did not want to come before the press today. But I have to communicate that my daughter did not live and die in vain," said Russo's mother in a statement. "No amount of money can ever take us back to our lives as it was before [the incident]. But this lawsuit can force the city to be more careful and prevent this from happening to anyone else."
If one of your family members has died as a result of a business's negligent behavior and you live in Missouri, consider finding a personal injury lawyer that will work hard on your behalf. These experienced and locally based professionals can assess your claim, try your case in court and help you recover damages you may be entitled to.