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Bode and Grenier represents individuals and surviving families in high-profile
matters arising from wrongful death and severe personal injury. These cases,
argued in federal and state courts across the country, include complex civil
rights matters (under 42 USC § 1983) against governmental entities, authorities
and individuals; wrongful death civil actions against private entities and
state officials resulting from the transfer of a violent offender from one
state to another; and egregious personal injury matters. In a number of cases
in which governmental authorities or actors were involved in causing injury
or death, the firm advances federal civil rights claims as well as state/local
statutory and common law claims. Our attorneys have substantial experience
with the interplay of federal and state law in federal and state courts, and
in navigating the complexities of federal civil rights litigation.
Examples of Bode & Grenier’s recent cases in these areas include:
- Bode and Grenier obtained a settlement providing for pay-out, over time,
of up to $26 million (maximum) in a case arising from severe permanent injuries,
by hanging, during the improper post-arrest detention of plaintiff. Plaintiff
was known to be suicidal yet deprived of prescribed medication. The Firm
was referred the case (after its initiation in New Jersey state court) based
on our experience, specifically our extensive experience in federal civil
rights litigation. The Firm's detailed expansion of claims in amended complaint
after taking over the case, coupled with the aggressive deposition of officials
from several municipalities and detention facilities, brought about the structured
settlement.
- Bode and Grenier obtained a $1.2 million pre-deposition settlement in a
civil rights/wrongful death action against Virginia officials for the death
of a juvenile mentally-deficient detainee at a state youth detention center.
The juvenile died after being choked by guards during a purported restraining
effort; defendants settled the case notwithstanding insistence that death
was "accidental."
- Bode and Grenier represented Columbine High School teacher David Sanders
in a federal civil rights action against police authorities and individuals.
Our complaint, filed in federal court in Colorado, alleged deprivation of
constitutional rights under a variety of federal claims based on affirmative
police action preventing, for several hours after shooters had died, emergency
assistance, rescue or medical aid of an individual in a readily-accessible
location known to be critically wounded. The case was featured on the television
program 60 Minutes II, on CBS, April 17, 2001. Bode and Grenier obtained
a $1.5 million settlement on behalf of Dave Sanders’ family.
- Bode and Grenier obtained a $98 million jury verdict in a federal civil
rights, local wrongful death/survival action in D.C. federal court (pending;
post-appeal), arising from murder of a citizen assisting police defendants
in undercover operation. The firm is presently engaged in challenging the
reduction of the jury's compensatory award for decedent's claims. An appellate
court ruled that the "state created
danger" theory upon which portions of the jury verdict were based was
valid in District of Columbia , but only for future cases.
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