Personal Injury Law

$1.65 Million Frederick County, Maryland Wrongful Death Award Issued to Parents of Man Who Died in Accidental Shooting

By Jack Lebowitz, Esq. and Vadim Mzhen, Esq.

Frederick County Circuit Judge John H. Tisdale has awarded the parents of Michael Abraham Brall $1.65 million in their Maryland wrongful death lawsuit against Brian Gregory Stone. Stone accidentally shot Brall on October 25, 2007.

The two men had been drinking at a local bar that night when the decided to go to Stone?s apartment. Stone, then 22, reportedly was showing Brall, 23, his roommate?s gun when it went off, sending a bullet into Brall?s chest. He died at the accident site.

At his 2008 criminal trial, Stone said he didn?t know the gun was loaded when he showed the gun to Brall. He says that Brall had asked to see the weapon. Stone was later found not guilty of reckless endangerment and manslaughter.

Brall?s parents don?t expect to receive payment from the Stone. However, their Frederick County wrongful death case was more about holding Stone accountable for his negligent actions. They also settled their Maryland wrongful death case against Jordan S. Kaiser, Stone?s roommate and the owner of the gun that accidentally fired on their son.

Maryland Wrongful Death
Even if the person that you believe was responsible for your loved one?s passing is not charged or convicted in criminal court, you may be able to hold them accountable in civil court. Obtaining financial damages can help cover some of the cost that the death has caused you and your family, while making the responsible party liable for the loss of your loved one and the harm that you have suffered.

Family awarded $1.65 million in son's accidental death, Frederick News Post, June 23, 2010

Local man killed in Frederick shooting, The Herald-Mail, October 25, 2007

Related Web Resources:
Maryland Wrongful Death and Intestacy Statutes, Justice.gov (PDF)

Wrongful Death Action, Cornell Unversity Law School

Full post as published by Maryland Accident Law Blog on June 28, 2010 (boomark / email).