Private Prison Settles Wrongful Death Lawsuit--After Jury Returns $40 Million Dollar Verdict
Wackenhut Corrections Corp., known as the GEO Group, which runs a local prison settled a lawsuit in the beating death of Gregorio de la Rosa Jr. of Laredo for an undisclosed sum. The case involvedDe la Rosa being beaten to death while prison officials first watched and later tried to cover up by destroying evidence. The Thirteenth Court of Appeals affirmed the $40 Million Dollar judgment for wrongful death against the prison and rebuked the GEO Group and warden.
In a very callous act, the inmates used a lock tied to a sock while Wackenhut’s officers stood by and watched and Wackenhut’s wardens smirked and laughed according to the courts opinion. De la Rosa Jr., who served his country in the military was an honorably discharged former national guardsman. He was serving a six-month sentence for possession of less than one-fourth gram of cocaine. He ended up getting a death sentence by being held in this private prison and under the control of these negligent guards and warden.
"We find that Wackenhut’s conduct was clearly reprehensible and, frankly, constituted a disgusting display of disrespect for the welfare of others and for this state’s civil justice system," the appellate court said.
My office in Chicago and in downstate Illinois handles wrongful death and other injury cases. I take the case from start to finish and don't involve other attorneys or staff. It is imperative that you contact an experienced wrongful death attorney to get advice as soon as a loved one is harmed. As this case shows, we live in a dangerous world and there are many irresponsible people in positions of responsibility. Protect your rights and the civil rights of your loved ones.
