Parents of Sandy Hook Victims May File Wrongful Death Claims

Parents of 10 child victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting have taken a necessary legal step to file wrongful death claims.

The parents have opened estates in their children’s names, according to the Hartford Courant. While it doesn’t automatically mean legal action will be pursued, forms filled out have a box that must be checked if the estate plans to file a wrongful death claim.

The shooter shot and killed 20 children and six adults before committing suicide.

As of Friday Dec. 5, no notices of pending lawsuits were filed with the Town Clerk’s office. Town Attorney David Grogins told the Register that any suit alleging negligence on the town or school system’s part would be difficult to prove.

The statute of limitations to file a suit is two years from the time of injury; under state law the correct papers have to be in the hands of a state marshal by then, according to the Courant.

Potential legal targets are the Town of Newtown, the estate of Nancy Lanza, Nancy Lanza’s home insurance company and Bushmaster, the company that manufactures the AR-15 rifle used in the attack.

Read the full Courant report here.

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