City of Fort Worth Agrees to Settle Lawsuit Over Taser Death
The City of Fort Worth, Texas has offered $2 million to resolve a pending lawsuit filed by the family of Michael Patrick Jacobs Jr. Mr. Jacobs died on April 18, 2009 after he had been shot for a total of 54 seconds by a Fort Worth police officer. The officer who had used the Taser had “inadvertently” held the trigger down for 49 seconds the first time she shot Jacobs. This incident occurred in front of Mr. Jacobs’ family home and was watched by his entire family. The Tarrant County Medical Examiners Office has ruled Mr. Jacobs’ death a homicide, but the Fort Worth police officers involved were cleared of any wrongdoing by a Tarrant County Grand Jury.
The lawsuit was apparently brought on civil rights grounds in Federal Court, which makes the state’s statutory immunity limits of $750,000.00 inapplicable. As such, there was no limit on the amount of money that the family of Mr. Jacobs could pursue.
The $2 million settlement is the largest settlement of any injury or death paid out by the City of Fort Worth. The plaintiffs were represented by Brian Eberstein of Dallas, who clearly did a great job on this case for the family. To achieve such a large settlement, and so quickly, is commendable.
Information provided by Fort Worth Board Certified Personal Injury Attorney Mark A. Anderson who can be reached at (817) 294-1900 or by visiting the Anderson Law Firm’s accident and injury website at www.maafirm.com.
