Unintended Consequences by Otherwise Good People: Safety and Justice Shall Prevail

One hallmark of literary characterization is the tragic hero. In Greek mythology, Shakesperean plays, and popular novels alike, readers are not hard-pressed to find an example of an otherwise noble character who has, due to some inherent flaw, fallen from grace. These characters are sympathetic, to be sure. They are not villains or bad people, and their likeability makes it difficult for some readers to hold them accountable for their actions. For example, Othello is homicidally jealous, but, deep down, he’s a decent guy. Unfortunately, while readers lack hatred for the tragic hero, they often ignore the plight of minor characters who suffer because of that hero’s mistakes. The bottom line is, it is, often, very difficult to hold a ‘good guy’ accountable for his bad acts. When it comes to personal injury litigation, however, not doing so may result in an injustice for the injured person.

For example, the news keeps the public steadily informed about incidents of police brutality. In many of these cases, things simply get out of hand or measures taken by police were necessary to ensure the safety of the officers and the public. Sometimes though, force is far too excessive. One case clearly emphasizes this point. On March 20, 2008, Charlotte, NC police officer Jerry Dawson Jr. tasered 17 year old Darryl Turner at the grocery store where the teen worked. Dawson had been called by the manager when Turner became disruptive. As Dawson entered, Turner, who had been yelling and overturning displays, began to approach him and did not stop when the officer told him to freeze. This led to the officer tasering Turner. Unfortunately, Dawson miscalculated the appropriate amount of time to hold down the taser gun’s trigger. Turner was tasered for a full 37 seconds, then, again, for another 5 second jolt. The recommended length of time to taser an average male target is 5 seconds. The prolonged use of the taser, in the case of Darryl Turner, resulted in his death.

It was not argued that Officer Dawson intended to kill Darryl Turner. However, as a result of Dawson’s error in tasering Turner for a total of 42 seconds, the boy died; no matter what Dawson’s intentions were, this cannot and should not be ignored. This demonstrates that although a defendant in an injury case might be a good person, he/she must still be held accountable for bad acts, as required by law. In Turner’s case, the city of Charlotte was held accountable, on behalf of Officer Dawson. While no criminal charges were sustained, Dawson and all Charlotte officers were given additional taser gun training. And, 17 months after Turner’s death, his family was awarded $625,000. Money cannot compensate for the loss of a son; but long-awaited compensation for unforeseen medical bills, funeral expenses, and personal suffering will assist the family and begin a healing process.

In cases like this, families often find it difficult, if not impossible, to cope with unexpected medical, hospital and funeral bills. The stress of grief following the death of a loved one is hard enough; the stress of added financial burdens may become unbearable. If you find yourself in a situation similar to this after an accident involving injury or wrongful death, Lawsuit funding from Lawsuit Financial is a good option to help take care of these expenses, expected or unexpected, while your injury or wrongful death settlement is pending. While you are waiting for the case to be resolved, Legal finance services take care of bills related to the accident and ordinary bills and expenses that are difficult to pay following an accident, so that your daily life can proceed as normally as possible. With this legal funding, you can focus on recovery and the case itself; we will await payment out of your expected settlement. And, if you lose the case, keep the money with our compliments. With the help of Lawsuit Financial, an injury may still disrupt your life; it does not need to result in financial ruin, as well.

Lawsuit financial offers its condolences to the Turner family and congratulates them on their settlement.

Remember: Anyone, regardless of intent, can cause an injury; if you are hurt through no fault of your own, either by a hero or a villain, you still deserve justice..