Wrongful Death Settlements

The unjustified loss of life is tragic, and wrongful death settlements must be significant for family members to feel any sense of justice.

The amount of money a family can expect to receive from a wrongful death settlement is dependent on the facts of the case. The more horrific the death was, and the more culpable the defendants were, the greater the payout will be.

This guide provides a brief overview of payouts in wrongful death cases. If you would like to bring a wrongful death claim in New York City, contact Cody Warner, P.C. for a free consulation. Although our focus is on cases involving police brutality, we can connect you to the right lawyers for any wrongful death case.

$11,000,000 Wrongful Death Settlement

In April 2022, Mario Gonzalez died in Alameda police custody after being restrained face down for approximately 6 minutes and 17 seconds. The Alameda County Coroner’s Report classified his death as a homicide due to the “toxic effects of methamphetamine,” “physiologic stress of altercation and restraint,” and other health conditions. In 2023, the city of Alameda agreed to pay $11,000,000 to Gonzalez’s son and $350,000 to his mother to settle the wrongful death lawsuit.

$7,500,000 Wrongful Death Settlement

In December 2020, Angelo Quinto died in Antioch, California, after police restrained him during a mental health episode. Quinto’s family alleged that officers kneeled on his neck for nearly five minutes, leading to his death. The autopsy attributed his death to Excited Delirium Syndrome due to drug intoxication, psychiatric conditions, physical exertion, and cardiac arrest. In 2024, Qunito’s family received a $7,500,000 wrongful death settlement from the city of Antioch to resolve the lawsuit.

$7,000,000 Wrongful Death Settlement

On June 6, 2020, Erik Salgado was fatally shot by California Highway Patrol officers in Oakland, California. The officers were responding to a report of a stolen Dodge sedan driven by Salgado, who was accompanied by his pregnant girlfriend.

The CHP claimed Salgado rammed their patrol cars during a traffic stop, but the family contends he did not threaten anyone and was unarmed. On October 4, 2023, Salgado’s family received a $7,000,000 settlement from the California Highway Patrol in the wrongful death lawsuit filed by Salgado’s family.

$6,000,000 Wrongful Death Settlement

In October 2021, the family of Shayne Sutherland filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the Stockton Police Department following Sutherland’s death in 2020 while in their custody. The lawsuit alleged that officers applied pressure with their bodies and batons for eight minutes, causing Sutherland’s death from positional asphyxiation. In 2024, the Stockton City Council approved a $6,000,000 wrongful death settlement for the family.

$5,770,000 Wrongful Death Settlement

On February 22, 2023, Sabeeh Alalkawi was killed in a car crash in Troy, New York. The crash occurred when Troy police officer Justin Byrnes, responding to a call, collided with Alalkawi’s vehicle at an intersection. After this fatal crash, Alakawi’s family filed a lawsuit against the Troy police department, leading to further investigation.

During the investigation, video footage from a McDonald’s near the crash revealed Byrnes’ vehicle speeding by. It was later determined that Byrnes’ reckless driving was the main cause of the accident. In 2024, Alalkawi’s family received a $5,770,000 settlement from the Troy City Council.

$2,500,000 Wrongful Death Settlement

In August 2016, Anthony Timpa died in Dallas police custody after calling 911 and explaining he was experiencing a mental health crisis. Officer Dustin Dillard, who responded to the call, was accused of kneeling on Timpa’s back for approximately 14 minutes while he was handcuffed, leading to Timpa’s death.

After his death, Timpa’s family filed a lawsuit against Dillard, claiming his excessive force led to Timpa’s death. On September 14, 2023, a Dallas County jury awarded $1,000,000 to Timpa’s teenage son. On December 13, 2023, the Dallas City Council approved a $2,500,000 settlement to Timpa’s family to resolve the lawsuit.

$1,900,000 Wrongful Death Settlement

In June 2022, Isabel De La Torre’s family filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the City of Clovis after her death on March 25, 2022. Before her death, Torre’s family called the police because of a medical emergency. During the call, the family hung up, stating that Torre was in healthy condition. Despite rejecting assistance, multiple officers showed up to the family’s home, and forcefully entered. The lawsuit alleged that De La Torre died from positional asphyxia due to being restrained by Clovis police officers. In 2023, the City of Clovis agreed to a $1,900,000 wrongful death settlement to resolve the lawsuit.

$1,750,000 Wrongful Death Settlement

On December 18, 2021, Irene Chavez was found hanged inside a Chicago police holding cell after being arrested at a pub in the South Shore neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois. Chavez was arrested following an altercation at the bar, where she was accused of spitting on a man and assaulting a security guard. Despite her claims of being a military veteran with PTSD and her requests for medical help, officers allegedly ignored her pleas and placed her in a cell with suicide hazards. Chavez was later found unresponsive in her cell and died at the hospital. In 2024, her family received a $1,750,000 settlement from the City of Chicago in a wrongful death lawsuit.

$1,250,000 Wrongful Death Settlement

In April 2019, Soheil Mojarrad, was shot and killed by Raleigh police officer William Brett Edwards after reportedly stealing a cellphone. Edwards, who did not activate his body camera, claimed Mojarrad threatened him with a knife, leading to the shooting. Mojarrad’s family contested this, asserting that Mojarrad was unarmed and fleeing, not threatening Edwards.  In 2023, the family received a $1,250,000 wrongful death settlement from the city.

$1,000,000 Wrongful Death Settlement

In February 2023, Edmund Exline was killed while in West Virginia State Police custody near Martinsburg, West Virginia. The incident occurred when three state troopers, responding to a call about an intoxicated man walking on Interstate 81, tackled Exline to the ground, used a stun gun on him, and placed him in a police vehicle.

Despite using Narcan to rescue him, Exline was later pronounced dead at Berkeley Medical Center. Following the incident, Exline’s family filed a lawsuit accusing the officers, claiming their excessive force led to his death. In 2024, a Kanawha County judge approved a $1,000,000 settlement for the family.

$795,000 Wrongful Death Settlement

In May 2013, Terrance Franklin was cornered in a basement by multiple police officers in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Franklin was wanted for questioning related to a burglary case, causing officers to chase him into a home.

After being chased inside, police allege Franklin grabbed one of the officer’s gun and wounded two officers. The struggle continued until one of the officers shot and killed Franklin. In 2014, Franklin’s family filed a lawsuit against the officers, claiming Franklin was trying to defend himself from hostile behavior. Franklin’s family later received a $795,000 settlement from the Minneapolis City Council.

$650,000 Wrongful Death Settlement

On February 4, 2019, reports were made to police officers in Phoenix Texas of a naked man yelling incoherently while standing in the roadway. The suspect, Casey Wells, was uncooperative when police arrived, leading to a physical struggle during which he was shocked with a taser multiple times and held down by officers. Wells died two days later, with his death being attributed to meth use, psychosis, heart disease, and physical restraint. Wells’ mother later filed a lawsuit against the City of Phoenix, claiming police handled the situation violently, ultimately leading to Wells’ death. In 2023, the City of Phoenix approved a $650,000 settlement to the family of Wells.

$25,000 Wrongful Death Settlement

In June 2022, Peterson Kamo was killed by police in Spokane, Washington. The incident occurred in Kamo’s home, when officers, believing Kamo was trying to kill a toddler, shot him while he held a knife and the child. A language barrier complicated the situation, as Kamo was the only fluent English speaker in his household. The Kamo family later filed a lawsuit against the officers, claiming that they violently handled the situation. In 2024, the family received a $250,000 settlement from the Spokane City Council.

Need Help? Contact Cody Warner, P.C.

If you are interested in filing a wrongful death lawsuit in NYC, contact Cody Warner, P.C. We can explore your options and help you get justice for your family.