The estate of Danielle Tarsook, the daughter of a Beverly, Massachusetts retired police officer, is suing three Beverly cops for $10 million. They are accused of failing to stop her suicide. The wrongful death lawsuit was filed in Boston in federal court last month.
The lawsuit alleges that on May 18, 2005, Capt. John DiVincenzo and Detectives Richard Ganey and David Richardson breached procedures and engaged in acts of omission when they responded to a 911 call from Danielle’s boyfriend, who reported that she was threatening to commit suicide.
The three men picked up Danielle and drove her to Beverly Hospital. They then turned Danielle her over to her father, then-Sgt. Dennis Tarsook, in the Beverly Hospital parking lot instead of taking her directly to the hospital the way they should have. Danielle, 19, committed suicide in her apartment later that day.
While under Massachusetts wrongful death law, Dennis stands to recover compensation from the suit, his ex-wife and Danielle’s mother, Beverly, says that he is also liable for their daughter’s death because he did not get Danielle the medical care she needed before she killed herself.
Police are not allowed to interfere in incidents involving family member. This policy was implemented in 2004, after a police officer responded to a 911 call involving his son in a domestic dispute. His son killed his girlfriend and committed suicide three days later. The city of Beverly, who employed the three cops, is also a defendant in the lawsuit.
You have three years from the date of the wrongful death to file a lawsuit.
Police sued for $10 million over suicide of officer’s daughter, Salem News, May 6, 2008
Police may face $10m suicide lawsuit, Wickedlocal.com, May 5, 2007
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