Dziekanski's mother sues over airport Taser death
Last Updated: Thursday, October 8, 2009 | 8:17 AM PT
CBC News
Zofia Cisowski has launched a lawsuit over the death of her son Robert Dziekanski. (CBC)Robert Dziekanski's mother is suing the federal and provincial governments, four RCMP officers and the Vancouver International Airport for the loss of her son.
Dziekanski died minutes after he was shocked up to five times with a Taser by the RCMP in the arrivals lounge of the airport two years ago.
The lawsuit names the four RCMP officers involved, Const. Kwesi Millington, Const. Bill Bentley, Const. Gerry Rundel and Cpl. Benjamin (Monty) Robinson, but none of them have been charged with any offence in relation to Dziekanski's death.
The suit by Dziekanski's mother, Zofia Cisowksi, was launched by lawyer Walter Kosteckyj on her behalf on Wednesday afternoon in Vancouver. It outlines allegations of negligence and assault and battery.
It was necessary to launch the lawsuit because, so far, the parties named have refused to offer a settlement, said Kosteckyj.
"I don't believe the evidence that has come out is flattering to the government of Canada or its agencies and it seems it would be appropriate to at least talk settlement or get into mediation or take some other step, but that's not how the cards have fallen," said Kosteckyj.
No specific amount of compensation is proposed in the lawsuit, but Kosteckyj said if punitive damages were awarded, the settlement would likely be worth several million dollars.
Meanwhile, the Braidwood inquiry into Dziekanski's death and the use of electronic stun guns by police in B.C. is expected to wrap up this week in Vancouver.
