Earlier this month in Ocala, a 33-year-old officer who had been with the force for nearly three years was killed in a shooting range accident. According to one local news report, the officer was involved in a training exercise when he was fatally shot by a fellow officer. The accident took place at the Lowell Correctional Institution while the officers were cleaning their weapons after a training exercise . Another officer’s weapon discharged and struck the deceased officer in the arm before traveling through his chest. The officer was wearing a bullet-proof vest, but his arm and side remained exposed. The officer was taken to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead a short time later. There were several instructors present at the time of the accident, and it is unknown how the second officer’s weapon suddenly discharged. However, the police department has opened up an investigation into whether its own protocols were sufficient to protect against this kind of accident. What May Have Caused the Tragic Accident? This type of accident is indeed rare. However, whenever this kind of lapse in safety occurs, it is certainly worth looking into the potential causes, for a number of reasons. Of course, the future wellbeing of other officers depends on the safety of the training exercises. Additionally, the family of the deceased officer may have questions they want answered and, depending on the result, may wish to file a Florida wrongful death lawsuit. Recovering after a Tragic Accident After a tragic accident like the one described above, the families of the victims are left with many questions, few answers, and mountains of grief. After the initial shock of the accident wears away, family members facing an enormous loss may have a desire to seek justice for their loved one, answers to their questions, and compensation for their losses. In Florida, this is done through a wrongful death lawsuit. Florida wrongful death lawsuits may be brought by a number of various parties, all of which must have some blood or familial relationship with the deceased. The law prefers that a spouse, child, or parent bring the suit, but it allows for other relatives to file if they relied on the deceased person for support. After filing a wrongful death action, the plaintiff must then prove that the defendant negligently, recklessly, or intentionally caused the death of their loved one. Have You Lost a Loved One Due to Someone Else’s Negligence? If you have recently lost a loved one due to the negligence of another, you may be entitled to monetary compensation for your loss through a Florida wrongful death action. In many cases we see, there are multiple potential defendants that should be named to the lawsuit, in order to prevent a party from escaping liability if the judge or jury determines that they are partially at fault. Depending on the circumstances, an unwary plaintiff may forever lose their opportunity to recover if they file an unprepared case in haste. To learn more about Florida wrongful death actions, call 352-387-8700 to schedule a consultation with a skilled personal injury advocate. More Blog Posts: Tragic Florida Van Accident Claims 8 Lives, Injures 10 Others, Ocala Injury Lawyers Blog, published April 3, 2015. Florida’s “2 Drunk 2 Care” Driver Pleads Guilty to DUI Manslaughter in Fatal Crash, Ocala Injury Lawyers Blog, published March 3, 2015.
