Family Awarded $2 Million Settlement In Wrongful Death of University of Cincinnati Student

February 11, 2013

An Ohio Wrongful Death lawsuit filed against the University of Cincinnati by the family of a student who was killed in an incident involving a campus security guard’s use of a stun gun was settled earlier this week. A story from the Harold-Dispatch stated the case was settled for more than $2 million.

The incident occurred in August on the campus of the school when the security officer approached the young man and his program advisor and ordered them to the ground. Instead of obeying the order, the young man took several steps toward the officer. The security guard stated he felt threatened by the action and fired a stun gun at the young man. The device sent 50,000 volts of electricity through the victim’s body, sending him to the ground. He never recovered and died a few minutes later.

The coroner was unable to identify the cause of death and since the young man had no prior health issues, his family filed the wrongful death lawsuit, claiming their loss was caused by the negligent actions of the security guard, who fired on the young man before establishing what threat, if any, he posed.

The Ohio Injury Lawyers with Nurenberg, Paris, Heller & McCarthy express their condolences to the family of the man who died in this incident and hope the settlement brings a sense of closure.