ATLANTA — The family of a homeless man who died during a city operation to clear a homeless encampment has initiated a wrongful death lawsuit against the City of Atlanta. The suit comes in the wake of the tragic incident involving 46-year-old Cornelius Taylor, who was killed when a front loader operated by the Department of Public Works struck his tent on January 16.
The location of the accident was Old Wheat Street, near significant landmarks such as The King Center and Ebenezer Baptist Church. According to court documents, internal city emails revealed that the clearing of the encampment was categorized as an “emergency” effort. The decision to proceed with this operation aimed to ensure that incoming dignitaries and media would not witness the encampment during events commemorating the Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday.
The lawsuit, filed in Fulton County Superior Court by Taylor’s cousin, Darlene Chaney, and his son, Justin Taylor Garrett, accuses the city of neglecting its “ministerial duty” to check for individuals inside tents before operating heavy machinery. The legal filing seeks unspecified punitive damages and alleges both negligence and premises liability.
Attorney Harold Spence highlighted the urgency of the situation at a recent press conference, stating, “If someone had taken 10 seconds to look inside, this tragedy could have been avoided.”
An autopsy conducted by the Fulton County medical examiner concluded that Taylor’s death resulted from blunt force trauma consistent with being hit by construction equipment. Family attorneys criticized an initial police report that hinted at a possible overdose, arguing it undermined the gravity of the incident.
The incident has generated significant public outrage and prompted the formation of the Justice for Cornelius Taylor Coalition, which actively collaborates with the city to find housing solutions for displaced residents.
In response to the circumstances surrounding Taylor’s death, Mayor Andre Dickens appointed a Homelessness Needs Task Force in June. This group has since proposed a series of measures, including the creation of a centralized office responsible for spearheading the city’s homelessness strategy.
The situation remains a pressing concern for advocates and residents alike, as city officials grapple with the complexities of homelessness and public safety in Atlanta.
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