Wrongful Death Case Likely After Police Shooting in Hampton, VA

by Emily Mapp Brannon ebrannon@hsinjurylaw.com

Emily is a Virginia injury attorney who handles car accidents, medical malpractice, FELA, wrongful death, etc.

7/29/2011
Emily Mapp Brannon
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Wrongful Death Case Likely After Police Shooting in Hampton, VA

A wrongful death lawsuit is being filed by a family member of a Hampton, Virginia (VA), man who was shot dead in his home by members of the Hampton Police Department who were executing a search warrant for illegal selling of prescription drugs, the Daily Press reported. According to the newspaper, the court filing states that the police "executed" William A. Cooper during a shootout on Clifton Street on June 18, 2011.

View Clifton Street, Hampton on a larger map

Hampton police say they "announced their presence with knocks," the Daily Press reported, before breaking down Cooper's his door. They said that he opened fire on them inside the home, and two officers fired back at him, killing Cooper.

As experienced Virginia wrongful death attorneys, my law firm colleagues and I believe any case in which officers use deadly force is a concern. At the same time, we are aware of the dangers police officers face each day on the streets of cities such as Hampton, Norfolk and Virginia Beach, VA.

We have also reported on cases in which police appear to have acted incorrectly. In April, 2011, we noted how the City of Lynchburg in Virginia, reached a settlement in a $12.5 million wrongful death case brought by the family of a man who died in police custody. More recently, we wrote about how a county in Washington State reached a $10 million settlement with a man who suffered a severe traumatic brain injury after a sheriff's deputy shoved him into a wall.

Wrongful death cases we have handled include one for the widow of a CSX railroad worker who lost his life to lung cancer. The jury in that lawsuit handled by my colleague Rick Shapiro returned an $8.6 million verdict for the plaintiff.

DM

Category: Wrongful Death

Labels: accident Attorney Brannon Death drugs fired Hampton home injury investigation lawsuit lawyer painkillers personal Police VA Virginia warrant wrongful

About the Editors: Shapiro, Lewis & Appleton is a Virginia injury law firm whose attorneys focus on personal injury and accident law and have experience handling wrongful death cases. We have offices in Virginia Beach and Hampton, VA, but we're ready to come to you anywhere in Virginia if your family member or loved one was killed as a result of someone else's carelessness.

Rick Shapiro and James Lewis have been named to the National Million Dollar Advocates Form since 2009 and listed among the Best Lawyers in America since 2008. Shapiro and Lewis have also been named Virginia Super Lawyers for Personal Injury Law since 2010. Fewer than 5 percent of lawyers are chosen for this professional honor. In addition, ours was the first injury law firm in Virginia to join Primerus, a select group of highly ethical and respected law firms.

Our VA personal injury firm has the highest rating of AV from Martindale-Hubbell, a national lawyer ranking organization, which means we have a reputation for preeminent legal skill.

While not every injury case meets our criteria, we offer free initial confidential case consultations, so call us toll free at (800) 752-0042. If you cannot get through due to high call volume, please leave a voicemail so we can return your call.

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Wrongful Death Case Likely After Police Shooting in Hampton, VA

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