Two families in two weeks have filed negligence claims against San Bernardino over the December 2 Islamic terror attack that left their loved ones among 14 dead.
Three claims were filed by three members of Sierra Clayborn’s family this week. The Los Angeles Times reported that San Bernardino County stands accused of failing to prevent Clayborn’s death. The family members are seeking $204 million in damages in the claims.
The young environmental health specialist was 27 when Islamic fundamentalists Syed Rizwan Farook and Tashfeen Malik opened fire on a room full of Farook’s coworkers during a Christmas party at the Inland Regional Center. Farook worked in San Bernardino County’s environmental health division.
A week before the Clayborn family filed against the county, the family of victim Michael Wetzel filed a similar negligence claim for $58 million in damages. Wetzel’s wife Renee claimed $3 million for lost wages, $25 million in general damages and $10 million for each of the couple’s three children, according to the report.
Wetzel, a 37-year-old department of environmental health supervisor, was also among the 14 killed in the Islamic terror attacks. He was remembered in a memorial on December 19 as a man of faith dedicated to his family with a bit of a fun loving side.
“The county will carefully consider each claim and act in the best interests of everyone involved,” county spokesman David Wert said in a statement to the Times.
Clayborn’s father Gregory, stepmother Kimberly, and sister Tamishia are claiming $68 million in damages per family member for medical expenses, lost wages and other expenses. The Times reported that the Clayborn family claims against the county allege the county failed “to provide a safe workplace, fostered a hostile work environment and failed to take steps to prevent Claiborne’s death.”
The woman known to her father as “his sunshine” was remembered at a memorial two and a half weeks after the attacks, according to the Press Enterprise. “Sweet is the word you would use for her,” said Betty Colvin, a member of Gregory Clayborn’s church Calvary Chapel Crenshaw. Pastor Robert Colwell said after the service that Clayborn will be remembered for ““he love and the way she made other people feel.”
A memorial fund was set up in memorium of Sierra Clayborn. The GoFundMe campaign raised over $23,000 in one month.
Follow Michelle Moons on Twitter @MichelleDiana
COMMENTS
Please let us know if you're having issues with commenting.