Two half sisters will be the beneficiaries of an $8 million wrongful death lawsuit award, in regards to the death of their mother S.R., as a jury found their mother's husband responsible, as reported by Fredericksburg.com and the Free Lance-Star.
S.A., a local restaurateur, will be paying the sum. His wife S.R. is the deceased.
S.T., one S.R.'s daughters, filed the suit stating that S.A.'s "wrongful, negligent, intentional and/or malicious acts" led up to her mother's death in 2010.
Of the $8 million award, S.T. will receive $6 million and her younger sister, S.A.R. – who was not a party to the lawsuit – will receive $2 million. S.A.R. had testified on her father's behalf during the trial.
Randy Singer, S.T.'s attorney, commented, "Verdict means the truth in Latin and the truth came out in court. Our hope is that this family will all make peace with that truth."
On February 5, 2010 S.R., 49, went missing from her home. Four days later her body was located in the woods, behind the house, and covered up in snow. According to an autopsy report S.R. froze to death, and high large amounts of both Ambien and alcohol were found in her system.
According to the lawsuit, S.A. did not go outdoors and search for his wife, instead, he telephoned police – after she had been missing for two days.
S.T. claims that S.A.'s inaction directly resulted in her mother's death, and, because of that, he shouldn't gain "a financial reward, profit and/or betterment as a result of that death."
S.T. is not S.A.'s daughter, she was born during her mother's previous marriage. S.A.R. is the daughter of both S.A. and S.R.
John P. Harris III, S.A.'s attorney, said that he was surprised with the jury's verdict. Harris commented, "It's too soon to have a reaction (from S.A.) but his daughter (S.A.R.) is crushed."
The jury foreman told reporters, anonymously, that the jury agreed on the first vote once they had reviewed all of the evidence. She said, "If there had been a quicker action done, there could have been a different outcome. We all felt good about (the decision.)"
While the defense has until the end of the month to file any post-trial motions, the judge could set the jury's verdict aside, or reduce the monetary award.
S.A. explained that if he had called the police for help any sooner S.R. would have made his life "hell." S.A. testified, "If my wife comes home and there's all this police activity and publicity, my life is hell. (S.R.) was very, very proud and there was a side of her that she didn't want anyone to know about."
During his testimony S.A. also admitted to lying to some of the family about where S.R. was – because he felt their argument was their business alone.
Finally, S.A. told the court that he wasn't sorry for any of his actions.
During S.A.R.'s testimony she recounted that she initially thought her father had murdered her mother, but he changed her mind and she now "could see" her mother "killing herself."
Singer argued that the only thing (S.A.) had to do to prevent S.R.'s death "was go outside and follow her tracks right to where she was or let the dogs loose and let them find her.
Though it may be awkward to do so, filing a wrongful death lawsuit against the parties responsible for your loved one's death will help you with closure. Contact a personal injury lawyer today to discuss your own case and sue for your damages.