"Jury Grants $500K to Widow of Officer Jeffrey Smith, Highlighting Psychological Toll of Capitol Riot"

A jury in Washington, D.C., has awarded $500,000 to Erin Smith and the estate of her late husband, Officer Jeffrey Smith, who died by suicide after responding to the January 6 Capitol riot. The defendant, David Walls-Kaufman, was found liable for assaulting Officer Smith during the chaotic event, though a wrongful-death claim against him was dismissed by U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes. The jury determined that Walls-Kaufman, a 69-year-old chiropractor, caused severe harm during a physical altercation with Officer Smith, awarding $380,000 in punitive damages and $60,000 in compensatory damages to Erin Smith, as well … Read more

$500,000 Verdict: Widow of Fallen Officer Seeks Justice Following Capitol Riot Trauma

WASHINGTON — A federal jury awarded $500,000 to Erin Smith, the widow of Metropolitan Police Officer Jeffrey Smith, who took his own life shortly after confronting rioters during the January 6 Capitol insurrection. This verdict, reached on Monday, includes significant punitive and compensatory damages against 69-year-old chiropractor David Walls-Kaufman, who was involved in a physical encounter with officer Smith during the violent unrest. The jury’s decision included $380,000 in punitive damages and $60,000 in compensatory damages directed to Erin Smith for the assault on her husband. An additional $60,000 was awarded to Jeffrey Smith’s estate … Read more

Justice Served: Jury Awards $500,000 to Widow of Officer Who Died After Capitol Riot Assault

Washington, D.C. — A federal jury awarded $500,000 to the widow of a Metropolitan Police officer who took his own life following the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol. The jury found David Walls-Kaufman, a 69-year-old chiropractor, liable for assaulting Officer Jeffrey Smith during the violent uprising that day. The jury’s decision came after deliberating on the testimonies and evidence presented during the civil trial. They ordered Walls-Kaufman to pay Erin Smith $380,000 in punitive damages and $60,000 in compensatory damages for the assault that took place inside the Capitol. Additionally, the jury … Read more

Jury Awards $31.2 Million to Widow of Texas Firefighter After Tragic Resort Incident in Cancun

A Tarrant County, Texas, jury has awarded $31.2 million to the widow of an Arlington firefighter who lost his life in a tragic incident at a Cancun resort in 2021. The jury found that the hotel’s ownership and management were negligent in connection with his death. Elijah Snow, a 35-year-old firefighter, was discovered deceased with his body lodged in a small window of a neighboring property. This unsettling event reportedly occurred after a night of excessive alcohol consumption, which, according to the lawsuit filed by his widow, Jamie Snow, was allegedly encouraged by bartenders at … Read more