DC Sanitation Department Sued for Negligence after Murder

By Peter DePaolis
Attorney

Last October, a Department of Public Works (DPW) worker died when a gunman opened fire at the DPW facility. Now, his widow filed a negligence lawsuit against the city for his death. In a report at dcist.com, the widow accuses the city of failing to act on security and safety recommendations made in April 2010, six months before the shooting. Some of those safety recommendations included making repairs to security cameras, providing a guard at the facility’s entrance, and better lighting.

An earlier incident prompted the April 2010 safety recommendations. However, the DPW director denied ever seeing a copy of the April safety recommendations. In a council hearing after last October’s shooting, the director said that DPW budget cuts prevented the department from implementing the measures at the facility, which seems to contradict his earlier statement of never seeing the report.

The victim was 51-years-old and worked for the DPW for over 20 years. Another worker suffered injuries in the shooting. Authorities are still investigating the shooting incident.

Do you think improved safety measures could have prevented the violent incident? Call today.

Koonz McKenney Johnson & DePaolis LLP

Maryland, Washington, D.C. and Virginia Injury Attorneys

Approved by attorney David Schloss

About the Author
Peter DePaolis joined the firm in 1980 and has since represented a large number of individuals involved in automobile collisions, truck accidents, bus crashes, defective products, and medical malpractice cases. A significant portion of Mr. DePaolis’ practice is devoted to working on behalf of people suffering from asbestosis, mesothelioma, and other asbestos-related cancers. He has led his firm’s fight against the asbestos industry and has recovered over $30 million in damages for asbestos victims and their families.