Jacksonville, Florida
Notable Wrongful Death Cases
Wrongful death statutes are intended to hold those negligent parties responsible when their acts result in the death of another.
O.J. Simpson
The O.J. Simpson case is a notorious criminal case that was in the spotlight. There were cameras all over the courtroom, and America watched as he stood trial for the murder of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman. O.J. Simpson was found not guilty of the murder in criminal court but was still held responsible under wrongful death laws in civil court.
O.J. Simpson was still held responsible under wrongful death statutes despite being acquitted of the murder charges because there are two separate standards of proof. In a criminal case, the prosecution must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant committed the crime. In a civil case, however, it must only be shown by a preponderance of the evidence that the defendant is responsible.
The party who has more weight and valuable evidence, in other words, whose evidence is more convincing, has a preponderance of evidence. Reasonable doubt, on the other hand, is the highest level of proof required by law, and means that the evidence shows beyond any doubt according to common sense, that the defendant committed the crime.
The O.J. Simpson case is a prime example of the difference between criminal murder cases and civil wrongful death cases.
John Ritter
John Ritter died on September 11, 2003, from what was diagnosed in the emergency room as a heart attack. Ritter had actually died from a torn aorta.
After his death, John Ritter’s wife brought a wrongful death suit against radiologist Dr. Matthew Lotysch and cardiologist Dr. Joseph Lee. John Ritter had had a body scan two years prior to his death, and his wife was alleging that the radiologist had missed Ritter’s enlarged aorta. She also alleged that the doctor who treated him in the emergency room, Dr. Lee, misdiagnosed her husband’s condition as a heart attack when he, in fact, was suffering from a torn aorta.
The jury in this case found the defendants not responsible.
Brandy
Singer and actress Brandy Norwood, better known as just Brandy, was sued in January of 2007 for wrongful death. Norwood rear-ended another vehicle on the highway, causing a sequence of events, and resulting in the death of a woman. The victim’s parents brought a lawsuit against Brandy seeking $50 million. The victim’s family is alleging that Brandy was driving recklessly when she collided with their daughter’s car.
If you or your loved one would like to learn more about wrongful death, please contact the experienced wrongful death attorneys at Hardesty Tyde Green & Ashton, P.A. today in Jacksonville, Florida.
