Texas families who have lost loved ones to accidents or the negligence of another person may seek monetary damages for that loss. The family of a National Hockey League player is doing the same. Derek Boogaard was found dead at the age of 28 from brain injuries, and his family has now filed a wrongful death claim against the NHL for allegedly over-prescribing painkillers that may have led to the young man’s death.
Boogaard was determined to have died from chronic traumatic encephalopathy, a degenerative brain disease caused by repeated head trauma. Attorneys for the family claim that the NHL, with an eye to the profits generated by a popular player, provided pain medication to the young man so that he could continue to play hockey. Team doctors are said to have dispensed pain pills without regard to the safety of the patient.
The lawsuit claims that the NHL was aware that Boogaard had suffered repeated brain damage and was addicted to painkillers. The player’s mother claims that the NHL had promised to “take care” of Boogaard but failed in that regard. The family filed an earlier lawsuit through union attorneys that was dismissed when the attorneys failed to meet a filing deadline.
The families of those who have suffered death through the negligence of another person, company or agency may be entitled to collect damages through a wrongful death lawsuit. A wrongful death attorney may represent the family in such an action. Wrongful death lawsuits often include claims for medical expenses, funeral costs, pain and suffering of the victim, and loss of love and affection on the part of the family as well as loss of future income.
